Solid vs Hollow, Not All Decking Boards Are Built the Same
Composite decking has grown rapidly in popularity as a lower maintenance alternative to timber, particularly for garden and landscaping projects. However, one detail that is often overlooked is how the decking board itself is constructed.
While many products may look similar once installed, the internal structure of the board can vary significantly. Most composite decking boards fall into one of two categories: solid boards or hollow boards.
This difference in construction can have a direct impact on strength, durability and long term performance. Understanding how the board is built can therefore make a significant difference when choosing the right decking system.
What Are Hollow Composite Decking Boards?
Hollow composite decking boards are manufactured with internal cavities running through the centre of the board. This design reduces the amount of composite material used, making the boards lighter and often cheaper to produce.
Not all hollow boards use the same internal structure. Two of the most common profiles used in the market are honeycomb style hollow boards and round hole hollow boards.
Honeycomb boards contain a series of square or rectangular internal chambers running along the length of the board. These chambers create multiple internal walls which can improve stiffness compared with simpler hollow designs, while still reducing the amount of material used.
Round hole hollow boards use larger circular cavities running through the board. This design removes even more material from the board, making it lighter and typically cheaper to manufacture. However, with fewer internal supports, these boards can sometimes feel less rigid underfoot.
While these designs help reduce weight and manufacturing cost, removing material from inside the board also reduces the overall structural mass. With less material supporting the walking surface, hollow boards can sometimes feel less substantial compared with solid composite alternatives.
In some cases, particularly where weight is concentrated in one area or installation spacing is not perfectly followed, hollow boards may also be more vulnerable to excessive flexing or surface cracking under load.
In climates like the UK, where decking is regularly exposed to driving rain, frost and repeated wet dry cycles, hollow construction can present additional challenges. Water can enter the internal cavities through board ends or small gaps, and moisture can also form inside the cavities through condensation as temperatures fluctuate.
During colder weather this moisture can freeze and expand, creating a freeze thaw cycle within the board. Over time, repeated freezing and thawing can place stress on the surrounding material and may increase the risk of movement, cracking or distortion.
Because hollow boards contain internal voids, they can be more vulnerable to these environmental factors than solid composite boards.
What Are Solid Composite Decking Boards?
Solid composite decking boards are constructed using composite material across the full board profile, without internal cavities.
This means the board retains its full structural mass, resulting in a heavier and more substantial construction. When installed, this often translates to a firmer feel underfoot and a deck that feels noticeably more solid.
Because the board is not hollow, weight and pressure are distributed across the full structure of the board rather than being supported by thinner internal walls. This can provide greater strength and improved resistance to cracking or structural damage over time.
For contractors and homeowners looking for a decking system that feels robust and durable, solid composite boards often provide greater reassurance.
Why Many Contractors Prefer Solid Decking
When customers choose composite decking, they are usually expecting a long lasting upgrade from timber. Because of this, many contractors prefer working with solid composite boards.
The additional structural material provides a stronger, more stable feel once the deck is installed. There is less flex underfoot, and the board itself feels more substantial when walked on.
From both an installation and long term performance perspective, solid boards are often seen as the safer option. With more material throughout the board, there is simply more structural support built into the decking itself.
A Solid Composite Decking Option
Bison Composite Decking provides the durability of a solid composite board, at a price point where many alternatives in the market move to hollow construction.
Rather than removing material from the board to reduce cost, Bison retains solid scalloped WPC composite construction, helping provide a stronger and more substantial decking board without pushing the product into premium pricing tiers.
The boards also feature a fully capped protective outer layer and a brushed wood grain finish, helping improve resistance to weathering and everyday wear.
Available in Oak and Ash Grey, Bison boards measure 3600 x 135 x 23mm and come with a 25 year limited warranty.
For contractors and homeowners looking for the reassurance of solid composite decking without stepping into premium composite pricing, Bison offers a practical and dependable option.
