Pros And Cons Of Composite Decks

I’m interested to learn if this type of decking would be ideal if you live in a more rural area, or if it doesn’t necessarily matter. This means that special processes must be used in manufacturing and installing composite decks to account for this un-wood-like expansion and contraction. For guidance, we can look to the experience of the vinyl siding industry that has been contending with the problems of plastic expansion for over a half-century.

Most expansion and contraction in wood is across the width of the board. The movement along the length of the board is so small that it is usually largely ignored as inconsequential. For many thousands of years, carpenters have contended with expansion and contraction across the width of wood boards and learned how to compensate for this wood movement. So, while 100% recycled composites can be somewhat "greenish", they typically have been found by life-cycle studies to be a lot less green than most common deck woods, even treated wood. And this difference is even more pronounced if the natural wood is harvested from managed forests.

The Disadvantages Of Composite Decking

My dad is getting his deck restored this month, so I have been looking into the best ways to get it done. I will send him this information, so he can look for a deck restoration service that will have access to the materials he wants. This can happen in many ways but the most common is just the daily use of the deck. After a while, foot traffic on the deck wears off some of the plastic coating that surrounds and protects the wood particles in the composite material, exposing them to the environment.

The Market Growth Of Composites

Replies To 6 Advantages And 6 Disadvantages Of Composite Decking

This is the cause of "white-spotting" as the sun fades the particles. It also gives mold and mildew an opening to root in the deck. Composite decking that is not protected by a plastic wrapper or capstock seems to have a particular susceptibility to mold and mildew. Trex and Fiberon, major manufacturers of uncapped products, have been sued over this issue in class action lawsuits and had to pay out large amounts of money to affected homeowners. It contains wood but it also contains plastic, and plastic is one of the all-time great expanders and contractors.

• While every single type of decking out there has its advantage and disadvantages, it’s clear composite decking ticks more boxes.
• If you’re looking for decking that lasts and is low maintenance, this is the type of decking you should seriously consider buying.
• Composite materials mimic the appearance of wood but they are not real wood and a close look reveals the artificial origin of the decking planks.
• There are some clear advantages and disadvantages to composite decking.
• However, there are a lot more good points to this type of decking.

Pro: Composite Decking Is Low Maintenance

A finishing option only for decking boards with hollow cylinders in the decking board. The plastic end caps are attached to the end of the deck board with small taps that are tapped into the cylinders with a rubber mallet. Hiding the holes on the ends of the decking boards with a similar colour plastic. A decking edge cover made of the same material as the decking. The look and feel of a stair nosing cap but in a composite. Requiring no extra framing, at a fraction of the cost picture framing a composite deck. Composite decking tends not to be the cheapest decking option on the market, so if you're on a tight budget, you may have to go with an alternative material.

Why Composite Decking Materials Are Becoming The Preferred Material For ..

Many of the techniques of installing composite decks are taken from the vinyl siding professionals. But, there are still many problems that have not yet been conquered. You can cure fading and discoloration on some composite decks by staining them using a specially formulated composite deck stain.

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