A completely new frame
The old deck and frame were removed entirely. The new frame sits on wooden posts set in concrete, so it is fixed to the ground and stays level, rather than resting on loose blocks or soil.
Case study · Kennington SE11 · August 2026
Composite decking in Kennington
Barry's old timber deck in Kennington had had its day. We removed it completely, built a brand-new frame on wooden posts set in concrete, protected every joist with DPC tape, laid heavy-duty membrane underneath and finished it in grey composite boards with hidden fixings, so there is not a screw in sight. Three days on site, £4,500 including VAT, all in.
- Location
- Kennington, SE11
- Client
- Barry
- Price
- £4,500 inc. VAT
- Time on site
- 3 days
- Decking
- Grey composite, hidden fixings
- Finished
- August 2026
Where we started
The brief
Barry's garden in Kennington had an old timber deck running along the side of the house and out towards the lawn. It had reached the end of its life, and rather than lay new boards over an old frame, Barry chose to replace the whole deck from the ground up.
The aim was a deck that would look smart from the house, stay that way without yearly sanding and staining, and not rot from underneath. Composite boards on a properly protected new frame was the answer. It is the kind of job we do as part of our decking in Kennington work.
The tricky parts
What makes this deck last
Step by step
How we built it
Taking out the old deck
We removed the old boards and the old frame completely, and took all the waste away.
Old deck frame being removed Membrane and new frame
Heavy-duty weed membrane went down over the ground first. The new frame was then built on wooden posts set in concrete.
New timber frame on posts set in concrete 
Joists laid out along the side of the house DPC on every joist
DPC tape was run along the top of each joist to keep water off the timber and protect the frame for the long term.
Frame with DPC tape on the joists and black weed membrane below 
Protected frame ready for the composite boards Composite boards with hidden fixings
The grey composite boards were laid and clipped down with hidden fixings, working from the house outwards, then the deck was trimmed, finished and cleaned.
Composite boards going down over the protected frame 
Laying the boards along the side return
The finished work
The finished deck
Budget
What it cost
This deck cost £4,500 including VAT, all in: removal of the old deck, the new frame on posts in concrete, DPC joist tape, heavy-duty membrane, composite boards with hidden fixings, labour and waste removal, over three days on site. Size, height and extras such as steps or lighting change the price. See more options on our decking in Kennington page.
Get a free quote- Price
- £4,500 inc. VAT
- Time on site
- 3 days
- Decking
- Grey composite, hidden fixings
Questions
About composite decking
Thinking about something similar? These are the questions we hear most.
How much does composite decking cost in Kennington?
Barry's deck in Kennington SE11 cost £4,500 including VAT, covering removal of the old deck, a new frame on posts set in concrete, DPC joist protection, weed membrane, composite boards with hidden fixings and waste removal. Size and design make the biggest difference to price.
Why put DPC tape on top of the joists?
The boards are composite, but the frame underneath is timber. Water that sits on top of a joist where the boards rest is what eventually rots it. DPC tape keeps that surface dry, so the frame lasts as long as the boards.
What are hidden fixings?
They are clips that sit in the grooves along the edge of each composite board and hold it to the joist. You get a clean surface with no screw heads, and boards can expand and contract slightly without cracking.
How long does it take to build a composite deck?
This deck took three days: removing the old deck, laying the membrane, building the new frame on posts in concrete, taping the joists and fitting the composite boards. Larger or raised decks with steps take longer.
Can you put composite boards on my old frame?
Only if the frame is sound and suitable for composite spans. In this case the old frame had to go, so we built a new one on posts set in concrete. We check the frame at the survey and tell you honestly which is needed.
Do you build decks elsewhere near Kennington?
Yes, including Clapham, Camberwell, Oval, Stockwell and Brixton. See all our landscaping in Kennington.
Free survey
Thinking about composite decking?
Tell us about your garden and we will arrange a visit and a written quote.
020 3633 5529 info@finelandscape.co.ukFine Landscape Ltd
31 Tylecroft Road, Norbury, London SW16 4BL
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