Which composite decking material is best?
The best composite decking for the money depends on your goals and the specifics of your project. Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon all offer excellent advantages at different price points. Trex outperforms other decking material options. Designed with lasting beauty, incredible durability and easy maintenance, there’s no compromising with high-performance decking.All exterior building materials require cleaning, and a Trex deck is no different. For early-generation composite products (like Trex Accents®, Trex Origins®, Trex Contours®, Trex Profiles® or Trex Brasilia®), we recommend a semi-annual cleaning with a composite deck cleaner.
What material is composite decking made of?
Composite decking boards are made up of wood and plastic. The wood particles can be anything from sawdust, wood chips, and wood fiber pieces. The plastic components can be either virgin or recycled plastic materials. While both a composite deck and a wood deck will boost your home value roughly the same amount, composite decking is initially more expensive. Therefore, you can expect to recoup less of the cost of the project when you finally sell your home.Composite Decking (Including Trex) Composite decking costs about $5 to $13 per square foot. A 12×12 deck would cost about $2,200 to $5,600. Brands like Trex are popular because they’re strong and need little care. Composite decks resist rot, insects, and moisture better than wood.Modified wood beats the competition. Modified wood is arguably the best decking material on the market for homeowners, when it comes to composite decking alternatives. Even tropical hardwoods known for their density and durability can’t quite check off all the boxes that modified wood can.When building a deck on a budget, pressure treated wood decking is often the most affordable decking material. Make sure you choose pressure treated lumber that’s designed to resist rot and handle extreme weather conditions. Using untreated lumber is just asking for trouble.The four disadvantages of composite decking are that it fades with sunlight, warps in hot weather, wears down in high-traffic areas, and, worst of all, causes timber subframes to rot and become unsafe. Interestingly, all these issues can be solved by choosing an aluminium decking board that has an integral gutter.
What ruins composite decking?
Intense sunlight: Although premium composite decking is UV-resistant, prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight can cause the surface to fade and discolour over time. High-pressure washers: High-pressure washers can strip the protective cap, leaving the board vulnerable to fading, stains, and water absorption. Cracks caused by thermal expansion and contraction WPC decking, like most composite materials, expands in heat and contracts in cold. If the formula doesn’t account for this, the deck ends up pushing against fasteners or neighboring decks.Like many other outdoor walking surfaces, composite decking can get hot due to sun exposure and hot weather. That’s why it’s important to consider your climate, sun exposure, and deck color when choosing your boards.Composite decking can crack due to factors such as improper installation, excessive stress, or environmental conditions. Incorrect spacing, poor support from the subframe, or exposure to extreme temperatures can place pressure on the boards. Over time, this stress may lead to cracking.
Which is better, PVC or composite decking?
Composite decking can absorb more moisture than PVC with its mix of organic materials, making it less mold resistant. In comparison, PVC decking offers maximum protection and is impervious to moisture. It can also cool down quicker in hot weather. While they often cost more than wood, composite materials offer the promise of greater durability and less maintenance. Wood is still the most common choice for deck material,1 but it doesn’t last forever. Composites may be more durable, but they might lack the natural look and color you are looking for.Composite decking has several advantages over traditional wood decking. It is resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage, making it a longer-lasting option. Composite decking also requires less maintenance, as it does not need to be stained, sealed, or painted regularly like wood decking.When comparing UPVC or composite decking, UPVC comes out ahead. It is more durable and requires less maintenance compared to composite decking. It does not rot, warp, or splinter, and it remains slip-resistant even when wet.
Is a composite deck cheaper than wood?
However, deciding between traditional wood and composite decking can feel overwhelming. While wood offers a classic and often cheaper upfront cost, composite decking is known for its durability and low maintenance. The cost of a 20×20 deck can vary greatly depending on materials, labor, location, and additional features. On average, you might expect to pay between $12,000 and $24,000 for a professional installation of this size.A 20×20 deck costs between $16,000 and $24,000 or more, depending on the materials you choose, labor rates in your area, and the complexity of the design.Composite Decking: The supply and install cost for a medium-sized deck (15–30 m²) is approximately £3,000, or £80 – £120 per m². Despite higher initial expenses, composite decking offers savings through its longevity and minimal upkeep.
What is the lifespan of a composite deck?
Composite Decking: Life Expectancy: Generally 25 to 30 years or more. Maintenance: Minimal maintenance is needed; usually just cleaning with soap and water. Factors: The quality of the composite material and proper installation can affect its longevity. The straightforward answer is no, composite decking should not be submerged in water. While composite materials are designed to handle moisture better than wood, submersion in water can lead to various problems over time.Whilst composite decking is less prone to water damage than timber decking, water pooling can still cause damage to its internal construction. If you allow water to stand on your decking for a long period of time, it will gradually seep into the deck board and weaken its structure, causing it to warp, rot, and crack.