Pro Landscaper decking trends
How Pro Landscaper Magazine Values Decking in Modern Garden Design
Pro Landscaper decking trends is leading the industry. It’s the leading magazine which has decking featured in every issue*. Decking has never left the spotlight. It’s evolved, diversified, and outlasted trends. One place is the independent source of decking projects is Pro Landscaper Magazine.
“It’s a deck that makes a statement; quietly, beautifully, and confidently.”
from The future of decking: why material choice matters (Pro Landscaper July 1, 2025)
Garden designers love decking
Over the last 12 months, Pro Landscaper Magazine has published more than 40 features that include decking. Most of these projects are curated by professional garden designers. Many are RHS winners and high-profile creators. They choose decking as a functional and aesthetic foundation for outdoor spaces.
“In the evolving world of landscape design, decking has become a central feature in creating versatile and aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces.”
From the “5 Key Trends in Decking Design” Pro Landscaper on June 4, 2024
Designers aren’t following a trend as such. They’re responding to client needs. UK homeowners want outdoor areas that are low-maintenance, visually seamless, and built to last. Decking continues to deliver, it will for decades.
What’s driving the popularity of decking?
There has been a clear shift in client priorities:
- Long-term value, some brands have warranties between 25 and 50 years.
- Sustainable materials, leading brands have certified credentials.
- Weatherproof and anti-slip performance has improved
- Modern finishes to include textures and colours
Traditional patios are still popular, but decking offers better flexibility, especially on sloped or awkward plots. Decking offers a high return on investment, particularly when matched with top-tier materials and professional installation. Pro Landscaper decking trends are worth keeping an eye on.
“In our quest for innovation, we’ve discovered the transformative potential of composite decking and cladding.”
from Five Alternative Uses for Composite Decking and Cladding… (Pro Landscaper May 2, 2025)
Which decking brands are leading the market?
Here’s a breakdown of the best-performing brands and why they stand out:
Millboard
The market leader in the UK, growing in the USA, Australia and the UAE. Millboard is a solid core mineral board, made in Coventry. It’s known for its hand-moulded surface and durability. Millboard encourages dedicated inhouse training and a sound warranty.
This feature a first choice for many Garden Designers and Architects.
Annual turnover: ~£70 million.
Trex
The world’s best-selling composite decking brand.
Trex products are well distributed in the UK and offer a wide range of colours and accessories. Its known for its multi-level product ranges from Basics to Signature being the most expensive decking product in the composite market to date.
Annual revenue: $1.2 billion globally.
Deckorators
A powerful US brand now growing in the UK. Deckorators offers mineral-based composite decking, which is extremely durable and lightweight. Their USA parent company turned over $750 million last year. Their boards are set apart from WPC because they are a Mineral board with less than 0.5mm of movement means they outperform many other brands. Look for Surestone® Technology.
Although not yet featured heavily in Pro Landscaper, they are gaining traction fast. Expect more from them.
Accoya
A modified timber product known for its stability and long lifespan. Chosen often for high-end bespoke decking projects where sustainability matters most. A huge 50-year warranty for exterior applications which for a natural timber product is incredible. This product is available in many dimensions and high on Architects specification list. This is certainly one to watch.
Carbon sequestration & longevity
Accoya, made from radiata pine, undergoes acetylation that preserves its structural integrity for 50+ years. This means it locks in CO₂ much longer than untreated hardwoods. Life-cycle studies indicate its long use phase makes it a strong carbon-sink, offsetting its embodied emissions over time
Certifications & environmental labels
Accoya carries FSC or PEFC certification and earned Cradle-to-Cradle Gold and Nordic Swan labels. These confirm that it meets rigorous sustainability standards
accoya.com
Low environmental impact
Accoya’s Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) follows EN 15804 standards
Minimal shrink/swelling
Excellent durability, better performance than metals, plastics, concrete. It has Low annual GHG impact—even with transport factored in
Renewable & non-toxic
Made from fast-growing pine, Accoya is fully biodegradable, non-toxic, and safe to dispose of at end-of-life. Its manufacturing process doesn’t involve harmful chemicals
Supports circular economy
Accsys, Accoya’s manufacturer, runs a pre-consumer offcut recycling program. Scrap material feeds into their sister brand Tricoya. Plus, the company offsets emissions via certified carbon credit
Kebony
This is a modified softwood from Norway. Praised for its eco credentials and sleek, modern look. One of the top 20 products to save the planet
FSC & PEFC certified, Swan Eco-label
Kebony’s products are made from responsibly sourced softwoods and carry the Nordic Swan label, showcasing strong environmental credentials
Patented furfurylation process
Their unique technology modifies wood permanently using a bio-based product from agricultural waste, enhancing durability and reducing dependence on tropical hardwoods
Significant CO₂ reduction
Kebony’s 2023 sustainability report highlights that its products have captured thousands of tonnes of CO₂ equivalents annually, often offering up to 7,000 kg gain per cubic metre when replacing materials like Ip
Tropical hardwoods
Once the benchmark for luxury decking. Now in decline due to environmental concerns and rising costs. Designers are moving away from hardwoods towards eco-friendly composites and modified timbers.
Hollow composite decking: the hidden risks
Uncapped hollow decking remains the most sold composite in the UK. It’s cheap, light, and widely stocked. Bu,t it also comes with well-documented issues:
- Poor load-bearing performance
- Water ingress
- Expansion and contraction
- Structural failures over time
Several insurance claims and legal cases are linked to poor hollow decking products.
Brands like Grono, once sold nationwide, have now disappeared from the market. These products do have a place in our market, mainly DIY and unsuspecting landscapers. These boards are cheap and serve a purpose for a short-term installation and one where the finished quality doesn’t matter. These boards do move and won’t be in a straight-line for long. Consumers and installers are increasingly wary of hollow boards.
Why decking is still the best outdoor surface
Decking is here to stay.No other surface offers the same blend of flexibility, elegance, and speed of installation. From garden rooms and hot tubs to outdoor kitchens and dining areas — decking adapts to every outdoor lifestyle.
Even in high-end garden design, decking plays a crucial role. It connects soft landscaping with hard structure in a way that feels natural. Professional designers choose decking because it works — functionally and financially.
The best return on investment
If you’re a designer, landscaper, or homeowner, make decking part of your long-term plan.
Stick with trusted brands that offer long warranties and technical support.
The safest investments today are:
- Millboard
- Deckorators
- Trex
- Accoya
- Kebony
Avoid brands that cut corners. Prioritise products with strong supply chains, real test data, and positive track records.
The final word
Decking has matured. It’s no longer seen as a quick solution — it’s part of premium outdoor architecture. Pro Landscaper Magazine continues to highlight decking in some of the UK’s best gardens.
“It’s time the decking industry took note”.
As Deckorators enters the UK market, expect to see it featured more and more — hot on the heels of the global leaders.
Want to know more about Pro Landscaper decking trends and what decking works best for your next project?
Join the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/deckingnetworkforeveryone
*based on the last 12 issues
