Modern Cornish Home with Millboard® Limed Oak Decking

When homeowners Paul and Emma began redesigning their coastal property in North Cornwall, they wanted a space that felt connected to the landscape — stylish, low maintenance, and able to withstand the elements. With sweeping sea views and unpredictable weather, timber decking simply wasn’t an option. They turned to Millboard® Enhanced Grain decking in limed oak, combining the warmth of natural wood with the durability of a composite profile.

The property sits in an elevated position overlooking the coast, where wind, salt and moisture can quickly damage exterior materials. For the couple, durability was as important as design.

“We wanted something that looked like real oak but wouldn’t need constant staining or sanding, especially with the sea air here,” they said.

Millboard® boards are cast from real oak timbers, capturing the authentic grain and colour variation of natural wood without any of the ongoing upkeep. The polymer resin construction resists fading, swelling and rot, even in challenging coastal conditions.

The installation, completed by Dale Chadwick Carpentry, demonstrates precision and care throughout. Each board was aligned to follow the flow of the garden design, creating a clean and contemporary aesthetic. Subtle LED perimeter lighting beneath the bullnose edge adds both safety and atmosphere, allowing the deck to come to life after dark.

One of the main design goals was to blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces. By matching the decking tone to the home’s interior flooring, the result is a smooth transition through the large bifold doors and out onto the terrace. The soft, sun-washed tone of limed oak complements the surrounding natural palette of stone, render and glass.

Unlike timber, Millboard® decking does not splinter, warp or require seasonal oiling. The slip-resistant surface provides reliable traction in wet conditions, ideal for properties exposed to sea spray or rain. The boards can be cleaned quickly with water and a mild detergent, keeping the space looking fresh throughout the year with minimal effort.

Finishing details such as matching fascia boards, bullnose edges and concealed fixings create a refined, consistent appearance across every level of the deck. Combined with integrated lighting and an ocean-facing layout, the completed space balances practicality with high-end design.

This Cornish home now features an outdoor area that works as well in winter as it does in summer — a place to entertain, unwind and enjoy the surrounding landscape without worrying about maintenance or wear.

As this inspiring project shows, with Millboard® you truly can create premium-quality, transformational designs — all harnessing the much-loved look and feel of natural wood, but engineered using modern techniques to create a long-lasting, highly resilient decking material.

At Cladco, we are proud to be a Platinum Distributor of Millboard® products, offering our customers an extensive choice backed by excellent service and support.

To explore our full Millboard® decking and Millboard® cladding ranges, or to request a free sample pack, visit our website. You can also contact our friendly team on 01837 659901 for expert advice.

Even if you can’t find a particular product online, we’ll do our best to source the Millboard® items you need.

Finally, we’d like to thank Dale Chadwick Carpentry & Construction for their support and expertise on this fantastic project. To see more of their craftsmanship or discuss an upcoming build of your own, visit dalechadwick.co.uk or follow them on Instagram @dalechadwick_ltd for inspiration and updates on their latest work.