What Composite Decking Is Really Made Of And Why Its Better Than Wood
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The main reason people choose composite or manmade deck materials is for the low maintenance required. For most homeowners, they need to consider the cost of replacing outdoor decks. Generally speaking, the average price of a wood decking suitable for outdoor use is US$15-25 per square foot, while that of wood plastic composite decking is USD$30-45 per square foot.
- It looks beautiful and I'm looking forward to low maintenance.
- I'm disappointed that they don't stand behind their materials.
- However within three months of installation a plastic piece broke.
- Trex will replace the $5 part but will do nothing about the $100 it will cost to remove the railing, post sleeve, and replace the broken part.
- I just completed a re-decking of my wooden deck using Trex composite.
- Hardwood decking is more similar in price to composite decking.
Wood Decks Vs Composite Decks
You may see some paint brands that say they work with composite wood. However, it’s a safer bet to contact the installer or the manufacturer for your composite to check. Over the life of a deck, the costs between real wood and composite wood tend to even out. This is due to the larger ongoing maintenance cost that real wood requires. However, if you’re trying to stick to a budget for the initial installation, composite wood may be outside your grasp. Real wood has a less expensive initial cost than composite wood because the material itself is cheaper.
Now, Lets Talk About Composite Decking:
Woven types of bamboo is much more resistant to this problem, but still not waterproof. In standard moist areas and hot climates bamboo will serve you well. However, it is in fact a thing, and many homeowners find this type of decking best suits their needs. It also is easy to install, which makes it a great candidate for DIY projects.
The get more Materials for Making a Modern Deck
A patio is often not the ideal option for uneven ground since the cost to create a foundation can double or even triple the cost of the addition. If you have uneven ground in your yard, a deck would be the cheaper option since the cost of installation is almost always never affected by the slope of the yard. A deck is a raised platform that can be made of different materials, which include pressure-treated lumber, wood, PVC, composite, and more. A deck can sit high above the ground raised by posts and accessed via a staircase or be built low to the ground raised only by joists. The most popular non-wood decking materials are composite and PVC.
Decks Vs Patios: Which Option Is Cheaper?
For additional insights on wood vs. composite decking, and to see how MoistureShield stacks up against other types of decking materials, check out ourDeck Material Comparison Chart. A key wood decking problem is that boards readily absorb water. Without the regular application of stains, sealers or paint, wood decking is susceptible to warping, splintering, cracking and rotting. Additionally, most composite decks have built-in UV resistance, so they won’t fade or lighten as much as natural wood would over time.
Wood Involves A Lot Of Maintenance
However within three months of installation a plastic piece broke. Trex will replace the $5 part but will do nothing about the $100 it will cost to remove the railing, post sleeve, and replace the broken part. I'm disappointed that they don't stand behind their materials. Although the installation price for a composite is definitely going to be more than wood, the actual cost over time is a good deal closer. It’s a viable option that many homeowners opt for these days for good reason.
Whats Better: Real Wood Or Composite Wood?
Despite the above given qualities, contrary to some outdated advertising, composite decks are not entirely maintenance free. In order to lower the damage, always pick cleaning detergents that are specifically made for composite materials – otherwise, the deck colour might fade. Opt for a professional that is certified to deal with hard-to-remove stains when the situation’s beyond hope.
Ultrashield natural outdoor composite deck tiles are outfitted by exotic composite finish to give it a trendy look. The tiles are easy and quick to fix which enables it to be fixed without much time wastage. The tiles are made using high quality density recycled composite plastic material. They therefore offer the perfect solution for decks and roof top patios. The deck tiles can easily snap together and allows rain to easily floor through.
This is due to the fact that the better part of the composite mixture (around 60 to 80%) is made of pieces of wood. The rest of it is reserved for compounds, such as polyethylene, UV-stabilisers, pigments and so on. Therefore, this type of material is also known as WPC – wood polymer composite. Composite decking vs. wood, which is better for your deck project? There are pros and cons to both materials and plenty of options to choose from at the home improvement store. Whether you plan to DIY the deck yourself or hire a professional, it’s important to do your research before investing in any type of composite or wood products for your project. In this article we’ll take look at composite decking vs. wood to help you save time and money and make the best decision.
This makes DuraLife one of the best composite decking brands for hot weather regions. On the other hand, composite decking won’t need any maintenance beyond the seasonal cleaning. DuraLife’s composite decking is stain, fade, and mold-resistant, so there’s no need to refinish it every few years like there is with wood. While wear and tear might take a bigger toll on wood decking, composite decking can last for decades. With wood decking, there’s the chance it may fade in color, requiring another coat of paint, stain, or sealer, as often as every one to three years.