Published: October 20, 2025
Maximising outdoor comfort and style
November in South Africa means one thing: It is time to reclaim your outdoor space. Your deck is about to become the most popular room in the house whether you are hosting weekend braais, letting the kids splash around in the paddling pool or just enjoying a sundowner after work.
But not all decks are created equal when it comes to summer comfort. If you have ever hopped across scorching natural wood boards to reach the pool you know exactly what we are talking about.
Here is how to turn your deck into a space you will actually want to use when the temperature climbs and why Best Deck’s composite wood decking makes all the difference.
The underfoot heat problem
Walk barefoot across a wooden deck on a summer afternoon and you will understand why material choice matters. Traditional wood absorbs heat and darker timber is even worse. We have all done that awkward tiptoe run to avoid burning our feet.
Composite wood decking handles heat differently. It is made from recycled wood fibres, bamboo and plastic and is engineered to stay cooler underfoot. Of course it will not be cold in full sun. But the difference is noticeable enough that you are not doing the hot coal dance every time you step outside.
There is another bonus most people do not think about until year two or three: Composite wood doesn’t fade, splinter, or warp the way timber does. That gorgeous honey coloured wood deck turns grey and shabby after two summers of UV exposure. Composite wood decks keep on looking like real composite wood year after year without the weekend sanding sessions.
For families with youngsters who spend their lives outdoors or dogs who treat the deck like their personal sunbathing spot, that cooler surface temperature is not just nice to have. It is the difference between a deck that gets used and one that does not.
Shade solutions that work
Even the best decking needs help from above. Enter a pergola. Unlike a solid roof that may make your deck very hot, a pergola lets warm air escape while blocking the worst of the midday sun. You get dappled light instead of relentless glare.
North facing decks catch the most brutal sun so that is where you want adjustable shade such as awnings that you can pull out when needed or shade sails that give you control. South facing areas might barely need intervention at all.
Slatted composite wood privacy screens do double duty. They carve out intimate zones on your deck while letting airflow through. Position them to catch whatever breeze your area gets.
Then there is landscaping. A well-placed tree is the gift that keeps on giving. Deciduous varieties are particularly effective. They give shade in summer when you need it and allow the winter sun through its bare branches in winter. Indigenous trees such as the wild olive adapt beautifully to local conditions and will not send roots under your deck looking for water.
Climbing plants on your pergola create a living roof that cools the air through transpiration. Bougainvillea is tough as nails and gives you those spectacular colour bursts. Jasmine smells incredible on summer evenings. Grape vines provide shade and fruit.
Summer maintenance for busy people
Here is the beautiful thing about composite wood decking. Maintenance is not a thing. You know those weekends your neighbours spend sanding and sealing their timber decks. You will be having a beer instead.
Leaves, pollen and general outdoor gunk can just be swept off from time to time.
When it needs actual real cleaning grab the hose and some Cleen Green™. That is not a special deck cleaner. It is widely available and affordable. Simply wash it, rinse it off and you are done. No pressure washer is needed which is good because those can damage composite wood.
Pull out any weeds growing too close to the edges of your deck to keep it free from tangles and debris.
If you have got furniture sitting in the same spots all summer put some felt pads under the legs. This prevents permanent drag marks with excessive use over time.
Spill wine or sunscreen. Just wipe it off. Our composite wood products resist staining far better than natural wood of course, but no material thrives when left with oily residue for weeks on end.
Setting up your outdoor living room
A deck without furniture is just an expensive floor. The trick is treating it like an actual room.
Start with zones. Where will people eat. Where will they chat over coffee. Where are you putting the cooler box or drinks station. Answer those questions before you buy a single chair.
Dining furniture should go where the view is best and there is no glare during sunset. Weather resistant materials such as powder coated aluminium and all weather wicker mean you do not have to drag everything inside every time rain threatens.
Lounging areas need comfortable seating. Outdoor sofas with waterproof cushions feel luxurious and they are tougher than they look. Point them at something worth looking at such as the garden, the pool or the sunset, whatever makes you happy.
A simple bar or counter setup is a game changer for entertaining. Even just a designated spot for drinks and glasses saves you from having to run in and out of the house during a braai. Built in bench seating along the edges gives you flexible space for big gatherings without cluttering your deck with chairs.
Traffic flow matters too. Leave clear paths from your house to the pool, the garden and wherever else people naturally move.
Modular furniture is ideal because what works for Tuesday night’s family dinner does not work for Saturday’s rugby party with friends. Being able to rearrange things easily gives you options.
Lighting for those endless summer nights
South African summer evenings are magic and good lighting stretches them even longer. The secret is layering different light sources instead of just flooding everything with brightness.
Step lights keep people from tripping or falling on stairs while looking architectural and intentional. Solar LED versions charge themselves all day and switch on automatically at dusk. This is fantastic because it means no wiring, electricity bill or even thinking.
String lights overhead create instant atmosphere. Modern LED ones barely use any power and they last for a long time. Drape them across your pergola or zigzag them between posts. Instant party vibes every night.
You need lighting over dining and prep areas and pendant lights work well here. Ensure that anything you buy is rated for outdoor use and not just something that looks outdoorsy.
Accent lighting shows off the good stuff. Up-light your favourite tree, light up a water feature, highlight interesting architectural features. It adds depth and drama once the sun goes down.
Tuck rope lighting under railings or bench seats for a floating effect. It looks slick and gives just enough ambient light to see where you are going on a multi-level deck.
When you are choosing bulbs, warm white creates that cosy, welcoming feel. Cool white lighting can make it look cold and clinical which is not the vibe you want for summer entertaining.
Smart spending: Where to put your money
You do not need to renovate everything at once. Some upgrades punch way above their weight.
New outdoor cushions in fresh patterns instantly update tired furniture for a fraction of what new pieces cost. Just be sure to buy proper UV resistant outdoor fabric so that it does not fade and deteriorate.
Pots full of plants are mobile design elements. Group them in odd numbers because these just look better, mix up the heights and suddenly your deck has personality. Native plants are the smart choice. They mean less water and less fuss.
If you are facing a timber to composite wood upgrade there are obviously upfront costs. But when you calculate what you are spending on annual sanding, staining, replacing rotted boards and your weekends, Best Deck’s composite wood just makes sense. Composite wood pays for itself quickly in terms of both saved labour and materials.
Good outdoor spaces do add value to your property. Buyers love a functional deck because it is extra living space that does not need climate control. But really the best value is in how much more you use your own home. A proper deck gives you extra square metres you will enjoy for most of the year in South Africa’s wonderful climate. That is worth something beyond resale numbers.
Getting summer ready
The best deck is one that matches how you live. If you love hosting big groups, prioritise open space and flexible seating. If you prefer quiet evenings with a book, opt to create a cosy corner with good reading light and comfortable chairs.
Choose materials that work with your climate, not against it. Design for real human behaviour where people walk, where the sun hits, where you naturally gravitate. Add personal touches that make the space feel like yours.
Do that and your deck stops being just a platform outside your house. It becomes where you spend your summer and where you will make the memories that matter.
Contact Best Deck today for a comprehensive outdoor solution in time for full-on summer.
