Composite Decking Vs Wood Decking

Should You Get Wood Or Composite Decking?

This is especially important for walking on the deck barefoot, and for children and pets, whose feet are sensitive. Many different wood species are available for use as decking and railing. Common options at U.S. lumberyards includecedar, redwood and pressure-treated pine lumber. For homeowners interested in exotic wood species, tropical hardwood decking options include tiger wood, ipe (pronounced “EE-pay) and mahogany.

Is Composite Decking Cheaper Than Wood Decking?

What's The Right Choice For Your Deck?

You can save significantly on costs if you build the deck yourself. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1.75 to $5.50 per linear foot for the decking materials needed and between $4 and $8 per square foot for posts and joists materials. UltraShield Outdoor Composite Deck Tiles by NewTechWood are an easy and quick fix for covering up unsightly or cracked balcony or concrete patio. These deck tiles snap together and allow rain water to run through.

• Now, if you plan to do all the maintenance on your wooden deck yourself , a wooden deck may still be cheaper than composite decking material.
• Aluminium composite decking panels which contain wooden starch and plastic .
• This is due to the fact that the better part of the composite mixture (around 60 to 80%) is made of pieces of wood.
• This material is well-established in practice as it looks stylish – it’s not easy to distinguish between composite and natural wood at first sight.
• Gaining in popularity are composite decking materials, composed primarily of a mix of recycled plastic and wood fibers.
• Further, advancements in this type of decking have made its look-and-feel downright attractive, by many accounts.

One of the most important things to consider when choosing your decking is how much maintenance you’re prepared to put into it. For most homeowners, the key benefit of composite wood is its lack of maintenance.

If you live in an area with humid and rainy weather, having a wooden deck isn’t the best idea. Of course, you can still find quality wooden boards that can withstand the harsh conditions, but going composite is simply more rewarding. So, now when we have a general idea about what wood and composite decking is, we can start the comparison. Just as the name suggests, wood decking is all about natural wood. You can choose between many different wood types, and it’s generally a great decking solution. Of course, the wood is treated with chemicals during the manufacturing process so it can withstand and resist all kinds of external damages. Finally, composite wood tends to have fewer options on the cosmetic side.

If you are considering selling your property in the coming years, it can be a good idea to consider the ROI for a deck vs. a patio. Your choice in building materials will obviously contribute to the costs.

What Is The Most Durable Decking Material?

One area where composites come out ahead is they can more easily be bent to form curved deck sections. To extend the life of a wood deck, homeowners must regularly paint, stain or seal the decking to defend against moisture. Composites, on the other hand, only require sweeping or washing to keep the boards looking good. We installed composite decking but first sign of rain and there is water stain Mark’s all over it.Could you tell me why this is?. The staining seems to be coming though the paint from the wood below but it can’t be mould as it’s too new, any idea what it is & how to treat it please?

I don’t want to re-paint until I know what’s causing it otherwise it’s just covering up the problem. Most composite decks have special textures which make them slip resistant when wet. Wood decks on the other hand lack this feature and can get quite slippery especially if there’s a thin layer of mold growing on them.

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Consider materials and design before starting find more info a deck project

MoistureShield® offers the only wood composite decking that can be installed in the ground, on the ground or underwater. Discover how our Solid Core has helped prevent structural field failures for more than 30 years and why that matters for your outdoor living space. Additionally, wood decks are known to splinter or warp due to the elements or normal wear and tear from use. However, on average, a well-cared for deck can last up to 20 years or more.

After our list, we set out an extensive list of example products you can check out. Both wood and composite decks can be customized in color, but the amount of work required is vastly different between the two. At Keystone Custom Decks, we have seen composite decking live up to its hype. Unless they are abused or mistreated, composite materials do not scratch over time.