Wood And Composite Decking Pros And Cons
Contents
Avoid Improper Decking Gaps
One example is the slipperiness of composite decking when it’s wet. The reason for this is that plastic is oil-based in nature which causes water to sit on its surface rather than absorbing like wood.
Periodic cleanings with a composite deck cleaner were far easier than the dreaded sanding and staining required to maintain wood decks. As the category evolved, this early-generation composite was offered in additional colors and with grain patterns that reflected a more natural appearance. To address these issues, Trex introduced a new kind of high-performance decking in 2010. As of 2014, Trex no longer manufactures any early-generation composite decking. Everybody knows color fades in the sun, but composite decking companies seem to be oblivious to what their products are really capable of. Some composite decking has faded so quickly in just a couple of seasons that replacements boards stand out like a sore thumb.
Dimensionally stable steel provides consistency and reliability that wood doesn't, and is more fire-resistant as well. Leveraging the strength of steel, Elevations can span longer distances between posts and precise engineering ensures surfaces that remain flat over time. Most area rugs aren't a problem with Trex decking, but we do recommend cleaning underneath them regularly. In rare cases, rugs made of plastic or viscose materials may bleed, drawing colorant out of the decking or making them difficult to remove. Always allow your decking to fully dry before fitting a rug into place. If you've noticed any staining, scratching or fading over the years, it's likely you have early-generation decking.
Trex Company, Inc
Despite composite having texture, it does little to provide solid footing around pools or swimming docks. In reality, composite decking is prone to fading, especially when it’s exposed to the elements and sun. Many composite decking materials also stain easily. Anything from the tannins of a few fallen leaves on the surface to an additionally spilled glass of wine or splotch of ketchup can leave stains.
What are the disadvantages of composite decking?
Cons of Composite DeckingA pricey alternative to wood. Durability comes at a cost, as composite decking is more expensive than wood.
Composites aren't natural.
Composite decks aren't completely maintenance free.
You'll need to comparison shop.
I had no choice so I took them and rearranged the boards I had already installed to have these appear as another accent. Then I went to build a planter, ordered boards to use as top trim sitting on shelf angles and now the Trex boards are no longer flat on the underside. They are scalloped on the underside and are useless to use as trim for the planter. Trex is definitely a long lasting product if you care for it properly and are lucky enough to avoid all of these potential decking issues. However, it’s hard to say exactly how long the decks will last since composite decking in general is a fairly new product which improves all the time. Many Trex deck owners have complained of flaking, deterioration and even in extreme cases virtual disintegration of their Trex decks.
The Biggest Problems Composite Decking Businesses Face in the UK - Gary Skentelbery
The Biggest Problems Composite Decking Businesses Face in the UK.
Posted: Wed, 06 Nov 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Here’s a detailed review about composite decking, including how to choose the best boards, comparing costs, as well as installing and cleaning them. If you’ve founds some winners here then share them with us. For me, I’m not comfortable trusting the same companies who told us 20 years ago that their product was foolproof and failed that now they’ve REALLY made it foolproof. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I’m in the mid-atlantic and have replaced both of my decks — beach and suburbs – with Zuri. Even buying the best cedar and finishing both sides — 10 years it was a mess.
Do composite decks get hot?
How Hot Can Composite Decking Get in the Sun? One study found that in direct sunlight, composite decks can reach temperatures from 34° to 76° F hotter than the surrounding air. On an 80° day, that could mean a deck surface temperature of more than 150°.
Wood And Composite Decking Review: Pros And Cons
It seems that under some conditions the coating seal placed on Trex composite decking can fail, exposing it to the elements. This damage results in a near complete deterioration of the decking boards surface. Replacing severely damaged boards seems to be the only remedy.
Composite-decks-get-more-affordable - Plastics News
Composite-decks-get-more-affordable.
Posted: Tue, 05 Mar his explanation 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Backed by a 25-year limited warranty, it’s environmentally friendly and designed to remain free of rotting, splitting, splintering, insect damage. Composite decking—like Trex—is a blend of plastic film and wood fibers. The plastic film that goes into composite decking can include polypropylene or polyethylene. These plastics work well with wood fibers to create a strong, resilient material that is more stable than 100% plastic decking.
Although Trex decking cannot be recycled due to the mingling of wood fibers and plastics, it can be repurposed into new decking materials. Even better, it contributes to less trash in landfills and on the planet. PVC-wrapped composite decking is a plastic-coated board comprised of a composite core wrapped with a vinyl shell.
Sided Capped Board
The Materials for Making a Modern Deck
And, even though the savings per board is small, it adds up quickly over thousands of boards produced. The bright, crisp composite decking color you get fresh from the factory is not going to be the color you see a year or even 3 months, after installation. Non-capstock decks fade a lot and will eventually fade to a drab weathered gray that looks little different from the color of dingy, weathered wood. Capstock deks also fade, just not as much or as quickly. Uncapped composite decking is porous and can be stained. Once capstock decking has faded, that is the color you must live with. Here are some results from a Sherwin-Williams study of what happens to composite decking after 3 years of exposure.
The dark gray and black spots are mold and mildew growing on the boards. Every composite tested grew bumper crops of mold and mildew. There is no doubt that composite decking material is more expensive than wood. However, it is valued for its striking resemblance to natural wood and efficiency making it an excellent choice for decking. It is easier to clean and maintain which makes it last long enough to transfer the same value to the next homeowner. Some DIYers may not mind about the required upkeep for their pressure-treated wood decks.
In this way, composite decking can be fairly unpredictable, even within boards on the same deck. Another myth of composite that relates to its water-resistance is that it won’t swell from water contact. What’s interesting to note is that composite decking boards are more apt to move around.
Does composite decking crack?
Composite decking puts modern technology to work right in your backyard. Manufacturers combine wood byproducts with plastic and resins under high pressure to create this rot-resistant, durable material. You can stain or paint it, and individual boards are straight and uniform. It's crack-resistant but not crack-proof.
While our early-generation decking was groundbreaking for its time, spills and scuffs can still leave a mark. Newer-generation decking is easy to spot because of its resilience. Today's Trex decks resist blemishes with an innovative, high-performance shell that wraps around three sides of our deck boards. Composite is resistant to rot, mold, and termites, which can take their toll on wood decking materials. PVC decking is typically made from virgin plastics, which can be recycled after use.
- When composite decking materials came on the scene less than a decade ago, it curbed many of the problems typically associated with wood decks.
- Wood fades, molds, cracks, splinters, and needs to be treated and sealed regularly for the deck to maintain its original look and feel.
- This type of product came about to extinguish the problems of typical wood decking.
- The newer technologies come in a multitude of colors, grain patterns and thicknesses.
- Composite decking is a decking material that is composed of several different recycled materials, though mainly hard plastic and wood.
Common complaints from homeowners include their composite decking board swelling, shifting, warping, and shrinking. The texture of the surface of the boards and the very rough surface of uncapped ends can easily hold water within its grooves. Since the water doesn’t quite absorb, it becomes stagnant, with the moisture finally causing mold to develop. Despite composite being “low careâ€, homeowners living in humid/wet regions might find them having to clean their decks excessively to control mold, fungus, algae, or moss growth.