How To Choose Composite Decking

There are solid wood and composite options that run$4 to $5 per square foot. The best decking material for fire-resistance is aluminum. Other products, such as wood composite, contain retardants to prevent fire spreading. At an attractive price of$1 to $6 per square foot, concrete isn’t just for patios anymore. Although this material can be much heavier than other deck options, the right support makes it possible. Homeowners love cement’s ability to withstand the worst weather conditions.

Appearance Of Real Wood Vs Composite Decking

Give your deck a more thorough clean at least twice a year using just a brush, hose, and mild household cleaner. Don’t use power washers, as they can damage composite decks. Unlike wooden decks, composite decking doesn’t require staining, waterproofing, or sealing. Decks & Docks has been selling manufactured decking material for more than 20 years, and we know these products in and out. We’ll talk you through options and find the perfect fit for your budget, taste, and project.

Repair Or Replace: Is It Time For A New Deck?

Trex invented the composite decking board in 1996 and is widely known as the pioneer in the wood-alternative industry. They began by manufacturing a single color decking board, which they patented in 1998.

Engineering Whats Next In Outdoor Living®

Capped composite decking boards consist of a mixture of wood and plastic that comprise their core. These boards are then “capped” coated with a sturdy polymer coating. This protective synthetic shell helps protect the wood fibers inside the composite from mold, mildew, rot, and the elements. Composite decking boards are made out of recycled or reclaimed materials, with polyethylene plastic or PVC mixed with wood fiber, rice hulls or other fillers, as well as a blend of chemical additives.

You don’t need special tools to install composite decking, but you do need standard woodworking tools for cutting and building. Since composite decking materials cut just like wood, you can use a circular saw or a miter saw for installation. This type of decking also accepts nails and screws like real wood. Regularly clear off any debris like leaves, dirt, and dust.

• You’ll also find cellular PVC and plastic lumber (high-density polyethylene, or HDPE) decking that installs much the same as composite.
• Most brands of the basic composites are similar and will perform just fine.
• The differences come down to design, colors, mix of plastic and wood, installation systems and texture.
• We’ll focus on composite deck boards in this article, but much of this information applies to PVC and plastic as well.
• The biggest frustration you’ll encounter is choosing the best composite lumber decking among all the styles, colors and brands.

Some product lines are attached to underlying structural framing with hidden fasteners, while others are nailed or screwed down through the top face. Trex offers limited warranty of 25 years, which is fairly standard for the composite decking industry. TrexTrex composite decking is made from reclaimed plastic and wood materials. Most of these raw materials come from recovered plastic grocery bags, plastic film, and waste wood fiber.

Most lumberyards and home centers stock one or two brands and can special order others. Most brands of the basic composites are similar and will perform just fine. The differences come down to design, colors, mix of plastic and wood, installation systems and texture. You’ll also find cellular PVC and plastic lumber (high-density polyethylene, or HDPE) decking that installs much the same as composite. We’ll focus on composite deck boards in this article, but much of this information applies to PVC and plastic as well. The biggest frustration you’ll encounter is choosing the best composite lumber decking among all the styles, colors and brands. This article will help you narrow your options and simplify your shopping for the best prices.

They entered the composite decking market in 1997, also with only one decking board in one color. But growth and innovation have allowed Timbertech to become a leader in composite railing systems. Early in the industry’s development, white PVC railing was the only color option available. TimberTech’s award-winning rail line was the first to include black as an option and now includes a wide range of browns and grays. TimberTech is now part of CPG building products which also owns Azek. Composite decking and its close cousin, PVC decking, represent the fastest-growing decking materials sold today.

Whats The Difference Between Hollow And Solid Core Boards?

And, while available in a wide variety of colors and styles, darker colors tend to fade over time and lighter colors sometimes develop a chalky coating. Made from a combination of plastic and wood fibers, composite decking is manufactured to look like real wood decking. The components of composite decking often come from recycled materials. There aren’t any preservative chemicals used during manufacturing, and you get to skip the splinters that come from traditional wooden decks. Home improvement is all about weighing benefits, like time versus money or long-term value versus short-term needs.