9 Ways to Reusing Leftover Composite Decking Boards

When you are done installing outdoor composite decking, there will be more or less composite decking boards left over. so have you ever wondered what to do with the leftover decking boards? You can save them and use them when the decking breaks and needs to be replaced. Other than that, there are some easy ways to make your house and yard look better and serve you better. There are some projects that are easy for DIY beginners to do and some that require a little more skill. Here we go over some ways to use leftover composite decking boards.

Repurpose leftover composite decking

It’s common to have some composite deck boards left over after a big project is completed. You may have ordered some extra composite decking for a rainy day, but you didn’t end up using them. Or maybe you have some extra sample boards or scraps that you could use. No matter how you look at it, extra composite decking can easily be used in new ways to improve your outdoor deck and surroundings. You just need to have some leftover composite decking ideas.

Surplus composite decking can be used for things like privacy walls, seating, and garden planters. These things are just for looks. But whatever you need, it’s easier to figure out what to do with the extra composite decking boards if you know your options, which depends a lot on how much extra flooring you have.

Flower boxes or window sills

Plants are a great way to bring the outdoors into a room. Window boxes and planters can be one of the most versatile ways to decorate an outdoor space, as you can switch between different styles as the seasons change. Even better, with a little planning, it’s easy to know how to build a planter out of decorative panels. You will need a pair of safety glasses, a tape measure, a saw, and a drill.

Depending on the materials you have, it’s easy to figure out what size patio slab planter box you want to make. Then, you mark and cut the boards to the right size and cover the base with landscape fabric to keep it dry. Planter boxes made from composite decking materials can be waterproof. But it’s still a good idea to use fabric because it can help with drainage and root health.

Benches or garden furniture

If you want to use decorative panels for garden furniture, you’ll need more than just some extra boards. This is especially true if you choose a design with a backrest or something large. You usually don’t need that many scraps to put together a simple bench, especially if you start with some good bench ideas. It depends on how your room is laid out and how much extra seating you need. Keep in mind, however, that other types of deck furniture usually require more planning or more specialized materials.

Birdhouses

Wildlife is one of the best ways to see the beauty of nature. If you put a birdhouse in the right spot on your deck, you may get some friendly visitors. The best part is that you only need one board to make a birdhouse. The simplest kind has a base that is the same size on all four sides, and a roof that is as big as the base. The last thing you need to do is make a hole about 2 inches in diameter for the entrance. You can do this with a wood saw. You don’t have to worry about maintenance because just like your deck, a birdhouse made of composite wood decking will stand up to the weather.

Screen to maintain privacy

Making a privacy screen out of leftover composite decking is a great way to keep neighbors from peeking in or to make one part of your yard look different from the rest. Learning how to build a privacy screen for a deck is easy, and it’s a great way to make a space feel larger.

A simpler design can have just four upright posts, which you can cover with boards or plants in any way you want: vertically, horizontally, or at an angle. However, if you are a member of a homeowner’s association, you may want to check the building codes in your area to make sure the screen meets the regulations for height and how the planks are attached.

Shelving

Shelving is a great way to make a big impact with something small. You can create stylish and functional shelves with just a few extra boards. You can make as many shelves as you want, depending on how many composite decking boards you have left, how much space you have, and where you want to place the shelves.

Stand-alone or hang-on-the-wall designs are the two best options. This type of shelf can add sparkle to your room and give you a place to put potted plants or holiday decorations. It can also be used to store things you need.

Outside Kitchen or Bar

If you’re willing to add some new materials to your project, it’s much easier to figure out what to do with the extra deck boards. Putting together your outdoor bar, for example, can make your deck a better place to hang out with guests. But keep in mind that a project this big usually needs more than just a few extra boards.

Also, an outdoor kitchen is a great way to make events or conveniences for the whole neighborhood, which can make using your deck more fun. Adding an outdoor kitchen can be as easy as building a place to cook or store food, or as hard as putting in a working sink or refrigerator.

Bottle openers

With just a few small pieces of leftover composite decking boards, you can make a bottle opener. This is a great thing to have on a deck where drinks are served. You can make a simple bottle opener from a quarter of a board.

You will need to cut a notch in the top half of the board to make room for the bottle cap. You will also need to put a washer or a coin on the board to give you a firm place to press down on the cap. You don’t have to do any extra work when you have a good piece of scrap. You can varnish or stain these simple designs to make them look more interesting. Then you can mount or hang them wherever you might need a bottle opener.

Numbered signs for doors

It can be hard to figure out what to do with small pieces of leftover decorative panels. Even for small pieces of board, there are always clever little projects you can do yourself, like making your door number.

You can buy door signs at any store that sells home decor, but you’ll probably end up with the same thing as everyone else. With a wood saw and some skill, you can cut small pieces of scrap wood together to make a unique, personalized door sign.

DIY swing set

This is one of the trickier ways to use up old deck planks, but it can also be one of the most useful. One of the things kids (and some adults) love to do is play outside on a swing set. Best of all, you only need a few strong boards with holes drilled in the ends to make a good swing set.

You don’t have to spend much to get ropes or chains that can hold an adult. Depending on how you do this project, you may also need to build a simple support structure. To do this, you might need to build three more beams and dig a little deeper into the ground.