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Why is our grey decking yellow?

lisa.o'reillyYSi69bFjlisa.o'reillyYSi69bFj Posts: 5
edited June 2021 in Problem solving
We had grey composite decking laid by our gardeners a few days ago. Some of the boards are nice and grey but some are varying tints of yellow.

The top section of decking is all grey but as you can see the bottom has different shades.

So far it has just been power washed / mopped with water and we are wary to use anything on it.

Any ideas or suggestions very welcome 


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Posts

  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Hi - I have the same decking and use one-third turpentine to two-thirds linseed oil to protect it.  Brings it up to a nice colour, protects and doesn't need doing every year!  

    I think it is just the way the wood is that brings out the different hues.  It looks nice.
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Get the batch numbers from the order and contact the manufacturer.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • lisa.o'reillyYSi69bFjlisa.o'reillyYSi69bFj Posts: 5
    We have contacted them, they have asked for various pictures which I have done and waiting for a reply. I think it is so strange the one section is fine the bottom (which is mostly the same packs of composite) is so different. I keep reading about tannins but I am not sure how relevant that is to composite? 
  • lisa.o'reillyYSi69bFjlisa.o'reillyYSi69bFj Posts: 5
    Bump - any other ideas? :-)
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    I don't think too many frequent forum contributors like using plastic in their gardens. To me it just looks like a straightforward batch difference at manufacture. Presumably the mismatch of colour was visible at installation...makes you wonder why they couldn't halt at that point instead of now having to go back and amend the area. But you'd better wait and see what the manufacturer will own up to. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • lisa.o'reillyYSi69bFjlisa.o'reillyYSi69bFj Posts: 5
    Thanks, appreciate the reply. 
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I think @amancalledgeorge is correct.  With a natural product you would expect some variation but that's obviously not the case here.
    Were you present at the time the mismatch was laid ?  If so, the installer could claim that you should have mentioned you weren't too happy about the colour difference.
    It doesn't really absolve the installers tho - as said, they would have been wiser to have halted and waited for your consent to continue laying.
    Best see what response you get before deciding on your course of action.
  • lisa.o'reillyYSi69bFjlisa.o'reillyYSi69bFj Posts: 5
    It didn't look like then when it was installed, it was more or less all the same. It has been mopped with just water and the water coming up as a yellow tint so part of me wonders if there are tannin stains or dust coming out. Overall they all seem to be getting lighter. I understand it isn't 100% plastic is made of wood too 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Yes, it's made from a mix of wood fibres and plastic resin, so they could argue that it is at least partly made from natural products, so could be subject to some variation in colour.  However, it does look like there was a variation in the resin itself and you have 2 different batches mixed there, at least to me.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Yes, my error - I didn't note the word "composite" so it could be argued that there may be a variation from batch to batch.
    I suppose it depends on exactly what description you were given by the manufacturer - if they mentioned possible variation in colour, they've covered themselves.  If they didn't  warn you about that and you feel you were mis sold the product, perhaps look into advertising standards.
    Best tho to see what response you get from the company involved before going that far :)
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