Comparing Composite Vs Wood Decking

Traditional wood hasdifferent hardness rankingsand responds to its environment differently based on the species of lumber used. That means that you may have to sacrifice the look you want to account for the softness and/or variability of the material.

For this reason, it is always a good idea to maintain or update your deck when it starts to fall apart and/or look outdated. Often, people choose premium products like composite decking, which an attractive, low maintenance finish. Among wood decking’s pros and cons, affordability is a decided benefit. Typically, wood decking is lower cost to purchase than composites, especially in the initial purchase. However, although the initial cost of wood is less, composite usually ends up paying for itself within 2-3 years when including the cost of annual maintenance. The price differential also depends on the wood species chosen versus the brand of composite decking, and local market conditions. Despite the initial cost of purchasing composite decks being higher than that of wood, the maintenance is very minimal and easy.

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

• Initially, composite decking and railing does cost more, board for board, than wood decking and railing.
• In fact, Trex decking is backed by a 25-year Limited Fade and Stain Warranty, which is unprecedented in the industry—resulting in the ultimate assurance of lasting beauty.
• Lengthy warranties on composites guarantee enduring good looks and offer additional peace of mind.
• When planning an outdoor living space, an important consideration for homeowners is cost.
• At TimberTech, we believe you should­­ spend your time enjoying your deck, not maintaining it.
• Another one of the benefits of composite decking is that it requiresno hands-and-knees scrubbing, staining, or regular replacement.

The cost of using composite decking for your home is 50% more than what you would pay for pressure-treated wood. It’s even more than redwood or cedar if you use a standard grade of lumber. Even though the added costs up front makes it more expensive to build a deck, you can usually offset the expense with the lower maintenance costs down the road. If you’re not in a position to manage the extra expense, then natural wood is going to be the better solution to consider. The modern composite decking manufacturing process helps the boards to become mostly impermeable to water. That’s why you’ll find this deck option as a top choice in communities like Seattle where the wet weather is an almost constant feature of life throughout the year.

Environmentally Friendly Product

Costs Over 10 Years

More durable than wood, composite decking stays out of the landfill longer. If you walk on a wood deck barefoot, you risk a splinter—but that is not the case when walking on a composite deck. Composite decking materials are composed primarily of hard plastic, and unlike wood, this material will not splinter or crack. In fact, composite decking was created to eliminate the problems that occur with regular wood decking, namely splintering. Splintering and cracking are primary reasons why wood decks need to be routinely sealed.

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.

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.

Advantages Of Composite Decking

Let’s take a look at why composite decking like Trex is becoming the new industry standard, and why Trex Decking in Maryland is a great option for your new deck project. Composite decking is not a weaker or less resistant option for a deck than wood. Quite the opposite, composite decking offers just as much, if not more, strength than wood.

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

You can choose matte, smooth, or highly textured options while still working to avoid the heating issue with some of the choices that are on the market today. The original and oldest choice for decking materials, decks have been using wood for their makeup since their existence, so we know it’s a proven material that looks great. Composite decks are made of durable, long-lasting materials that are stain-resistant and will hold up well to harsh weather, as well as natural wear and tear for up to 50 years. Unlike a natural wood deck that can last years before needing repair, composite won’t splinter, rot or become susceptible to insect damage. Today, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2-4 per lineal foot for standard composite decking boards, sometimes higher depending on your source.

Top 7 Things To Consider When Buying Plywood

As homeowners and consumers, each day it’s important for us to consider how we can spend more consciously and prioritize products that are better for the environment. Trex composite decking is a great alternative to wood decking for this purpose especially. On the other hand, Trex boards are created from 95% recycled materials.

Composite decking gives both your house interior and exterior a hardwood look that can suit any of your styles. Easy to use – Composite decking is an ideal construction material for it is easy to work with. Trex decking is also lightweight, which makes it even easier to handle. If you’re hiring a residential renovations company for your decking project, chances are they won’t have a hard time using Trex products.