Comparing Composite Vs Wood Decking

Some composite decking boards even copy the look of lumber and hardwood, so you can still enjoy the appearance of wood without the upkeep. The boards are designed to be more lightweight, thanks to “hollow board” options. They can still be installed using the same kind of tools you need to cut wood and they are easy to manage on a project site. Also, many new composite decking products feature what’s called a “hidden clip system”, which allows easy fastening that results in a seamless, and visually appealing deck. For decking that homeowners wish to get up and running quickly, and for those moderately experienced DIYers who want to do the work themselves, composite decking is a go-to material. Once again, this is due to how much composites have evolved even in the last half-decade. For many busy homeowners, one of the advantages of composite decking is the ease of maintenance.

The cost of composite decking is a significant factor to consider. The problem that you have with nails or screws when building a deck is that they create a place of weakness for the board. You can experience cracking, corrosion, and premature rotting depending on the quality of the construction. At the very least, you end up with a product that requires precision fastener placement to create the clean look you want. If you choose composite decking instead, then you can use hidden fasteners under the decking to secure the product. This advantage adds a little more to the final cost of your installation, but it also creates a 100% clean look that reduces the risk that comes with those added weak points.

In fact, you never need to worry about sanding, staining or painting—just do a simple soap and water cleaning twice a year. Trex® is a high-performance composite material that’s specifically designed for use in the construction of outdoor decks. In today’s post, decking and roofing contractor ABM Services & Renovations shares an overview of the benefits of this exceptional decking material. Over 50 different companies manufacture composite decking, and each one has a research and development division constantly working on solving any problems with the product. However, many people don’t like the grey look, but find it difficult to constantly maintain the deck with staining.

Advantages Of Composite Wood

• According to Popular Mechanics, basic pressure-treated lumber goes for about 80 cents per linear foot, while redwood or cedar runs up to three times that amount.
• In addition to saving trees, the manufacturing process keeps other waste products out of landfills.
• Even so, when you account for the costs associated with maintaining a wood deck , composite decking emerges as the value choice.
• Composite decking materials, on the other hand, sell for $2.50 or $3.50 per linear foot.
• However, the payoff you get over time in decreased maintenance costs and increased leisure time provides compelling value.

Composite decks are made of a compressed combination of vinyl, wood, and other recycled materials. With warmer weather in full swing, many of us start shifting our attention to the outdoor spaces of our homes, and what improvements can be made. Throughout the Baltimore and DC areas, decks are becoming a more common feature to help create an inviting home environment and way to make the most of the great weather. If you’ve looked into having a deck built for your home, you may have encountered the question of what material is best for your project?

Environmentally Friendly Product

Costs Over 10 Years

For the environmentally conscious, composite decking is a smart investment. Since composite deck boards are made with wood fiber, and recycled plastics, they are one of the many innovative products that make use of products that might otherwise end up in landfill.

Popular Mechanics notes that this type of decking generally costs between $2.50 and $3.50 per linear foot. In contrast, Decks.com notes treated lumber decks cost on average $0.75–$1.25 per linear foot. Composite decking is an environmentally friendly lumber alternative that combines plastic and wood fiber. Our protective polymer capping and innovative materials science combine to keep colors vibrant, moisture out, and structural integrity intact. It’s important to wash, stain and seal wood decks—a process that can take several days and may require the use of heavy equipment like a power washer. High-performance composites retain their beauty for decades with minimal upkeep, meaning you’ll spend more time enjoying—rather than maintaining—your deck for years to come.

Advantages Of Composite Decks

It also saves countless trees from being chopped down to meet the demand for exterior building materials to construct new decks. Composite decking can be separated into wood and non-wood composites.

Therefore, In order to keep a pressure treated deck looking it’s best, you need to put in ongoing effort. Another advantage of composite decks are that they come in a variety of colors and textures. Here’s a detailed review about composite decking, including how to choose the best boards, comparing costs, as well as installing and cleaning them.

Put in a composite deck at my mom’s and hated it – first it fades, not that much but the decking faded faster than the railing, and the rail end caps even less. Dog nails leave scratches, as will clumsy adults and kids, not to mention unremovable stains and sneaky mold. Oh, and if you want to replace a stained/scratched/damaged deck board it won’t match cause the others faded, remember? Upgraded that vacation home and had to replace the old deck due to code problems and didn’t think twice, wood it was! Used CedarTone Premium treated #1 southern yellow pine and won’t even have to stain it for a couple years, looks great with a custom sunburst rail pattern. If spending a little less money and doing some regular maintenance sounds okay to you, stick with the old-fashioned wood decking. Go for the composite deck if you don’t mind spending a bit more money for a deck that requires far less maintenance and is eco-friendly.

Many people don’t realize that staining or painting composite is possible, but it’s doable and can enhance the beauty of your deck over time, keeping it looking like new. In the last five years, composite decking has evolved into an outdoor surface that more and more homeowners and commercial contractors trust for the long term. Or, it can be a feature that you come to love most about your home for years to come. These days, composite decking materials have expanded their use, and has become a viable option for docks and marinas as well as for residential settings. A great part of this expansion of use is down to the fact that composite deck materials are simply tougher than they used to be when they first appeared on the market. People are shifting to eco-friendly construction materials to help reduce building waste.

If you are thinking of removing your old wood deck and are on a budget, then treated lumber or cedar may be the best option for you. If however, you have a large budget and want to experiment with a long lasting and durable product then you might want to consider composite decking. This is a huge advantage to those who hate to spend time and money treating and maintaining their wood decks. We all know that patios provide a wonderful space to enjoy the warmth and relaxation of spring, summer, fall and depending on where you live, winter.

How To Fasten Composites Down

So when your looking at the pros and cons of composite decking, take the time to make the decision is the right for you. The fact is, there are many products on the market depending on your location. As for materials, most composite products are manufactured from wood by-products, such as sawdust, wood chips or recycled plastics. Often, combining synthetic and organic materials seems to capture the best of both worlds , and creates a durable product that looks and feels similar to wood decking. When the first composite decking materials were introduced in the 1990s, it was eyed as being the next evolution of the deck-building industry.

Composite deck boards are offered in solid, or “hollow” varieties. This adds to the lightweight nature of composite decking and how easy it is to manage on site during an installation. Of course, along with the cost of the product and the installation, you’ll also get a warranty with your composite decking. Many manufacturers offer either a limited-lifetime warranty or a 25-year warranty. Some warranties will even transfer from one homeowner to another if the house sells. However, warranties will not cover stains, scratches, or fading.

You will find many composite decks in various locations that require durability. For example, some brands of composite decks are more resistant to sea salt and are ideal for oceanfront properties.