Aluminium

We have chosen to invest in the development of aluminium decking frames largely due to its environmental credentials. Apart from being a sustainable material and 100% recyclable its also widely-available with in-excess of 60 million tonnes being produced every year. 

It’s great to hear that more and more manufacturers are looking into sustainable alternatives to timber. Aluminium is a great choice for decking subframes and have many benefits over timber and other materials. 

Fireproof

One of the challenges the Mayfield team faced when looking at alternative materials was fire resistance. While the product had to be a sustainable alternative to timber, it was important that the materials had to have excellent fire-resistant credentials. This ruled out composite materials early on as they have poor if any fire ratings. 

Aluminium subframes are completely fireproof and when used with Mayfield’s Hampton decking they have a system that is Class ‘ZERO’ fire rated. They also offer adjustable metal pedestals that cleverly integrate in the subframe profile for the domestic and commercial markets. Both are industry firsts. 

Strong And Lightweight

Aluminium is both strong and lightweight meeting British standards BS6399 structural load testing. It is easier for installers to handle and manoeuvre. Even large projects such as multi-level decks they are easier to manage due to its weight. 

Even transporting the frames have benefits as they increase fuel efficiency from decreasing weight load. This further has a positive effect on the environment as we are lowering emissions.

Impervious And Rust Free

Aluminium is impervious to moisture, insect and fungal attack that other materials suffer from which greatly reduces their lifespan. 

Aluminium Oxide and Bauxite (the two main raw materials that make aluminium) does not contain any iron particles (the main raw material in steel) which when exposed to oxygen and moisture rust. 

Aluminium is a material that lasts which is great news if your deck is located in a British country garden or on the coast where it will be exposed to the harshest weathering conditions day after day, year after year. It is rot proof and rust resistant. 

Anti-Sag

Fatigue testing is an important part of the development process when designing a product such as a substructure and Mayfields Aluminium subframe profile design has achieved excellent results showing it will never sag. 

Combining our weatherproof decking with an our aluminium subframes will give you a deck that’s built to last and ultra-low to maintain.

Timber

Mayfield has been using timber in the construction of its decks for the past 26 years while the building industry has used it for a great deal longer and for good reason. Wood is the only truly sustainable material on earth and we can grow as much timber as we need from well-managed forests.

So timber, being relatively newly-grown and then returned directly to nature, is in effect ‘carbon neutral’. In addition, using local timber suppliers dramatically reduces the miles to market, therefore reducing further environmental impact.

Softwoods are the most frequently-used timbers for construction. In order to comply with the building regulations they must always be strength graded and put into a ‘Strength Class’. In the UK, softwoods are graded visually, in accordance with BS 4978:2007, or by machine to EN 14081:2005.

All Mayfield supplied timbers have been machine graded to achieve a minimum of C16 Strength Class and the timber is stamped accordingly.

(An independent body audits and checks the strength grading machine to ensure that the C16 strength graded timber we use complies with current legislation and guidelines).

Cost-Effective

While timber remains the cheaper option initially, the lifespan of aluminium is more cost-effective long term as it will not deteriorate from rot or rust. Careful considerations were taken when designing the bracketry that joins the subframes together allowing effective dismantling and rebuilding of the frames when moving from one home to another if required. A much more cost-effective option than having to replace. 

Choosing the right partner to supply the aluminium profile was paramount. Reliability, stockholding and cost stability was needed. Europe provided the answers through one of Mayfield’s existing suppliers.  Suppliers in China were also considered and were marginally more cost effective but ruled out due ethical environmental credentials. 

Subframes are parts that go in to making a Mayfield Sundeck and not the overall cost of the Sundeck. Aluminium is more expensive than timber (initially) but it doesn’t add much to the overall cost of the Sundeck. Over time you will reap the rewards choosing aluminium.

“We still have a long way to go to protect are beautiful planet but using environmentally friendly, sustainable materials and creating products that will last longer and not have to be replaced due to deterioration is moving in the right direction. We will continue to offer timber subframes until such times that it is no longer sustainable or competitive. We’ve taken these steps and invested in our planets future as a manufacturer we hope our customers will see the benefits of using aluminium and do the same.”