Composite Decking 101

Composite Wood For Decks

Our Solid Core is at the center of every board and is designed to maintain its integrity even after ripping and cutting. That means beautiful, reliable outdoor living spaces for years to come. Find out how else we help ensure you’re protected to the core with our warranty information and support tools.

Easy to use online tools can also help youestimate the costswhether you use wood or composite wood decking. 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. 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. Another important decision to make is regarding the type of brand.

Composite decks don’t splinter and sliver, making them ideal barefoot surfaces. Another reason they’re great for bare feetis their slip resistant and do not overheat like wood decks. Wood decks need to be stained regularly to maintain their appearance. Wood cracks, molds, splinters, rots relatively quickly, and needs constant maintenance in upkeep. Composite decking was developed in response to some of the standard complaints about wood decking. If you're building a deck, dock or seawall anywhere near water, come talk to us. Whether you're a homeowner, contractor, marina, or golf course, you can trust that we have the most knowledge, the best products, and the highest level of service in the southeast.

Wood Decking

You can fasten boards to joists by driving screws through the face or into clips inserted along the edge. Edge-fastening looks good because the screws are hidden, but face-fastening is faster, stronger, and easier to fix. When face-fastening, use screws designed only for composites. This decking bubbles up around standard bugle-head deck screws . To cut through the numerous choices, it is helpful to figure out which wood decking you like best then compare that to your favorite composite. Thus, instead of having to put dozens of options head-to-head, your choice becomes simpler, whether it is cedar vs. composite, redwood vs. composite or treated lumber vs. composite.

Products & Services

Composite decks come in a plank form, similar to traditional treated wood planks. If you don’t want to completely replace your existing wood deck, you can use these tiles to cover the entire area. Home Depot boasts that they snap together and only take a few minutes to install. Wood is the original and traditional material used for decks. Hardwoods—all woods, really—should be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. This means your synthetic deck can be environmentally friendly. Consumers must decide if the look and feel of natural wood is worth the work that goes into periodic staining, painting and replacing sections that have begun to decay.

Arsenic-free alternatives include ACQ, borates and copper azole. Learn about the materials most widely used to construct a residential deck, from railings to floorboards, including the pros and cons of each type. Approximately 54% of all extruded materials are expected to be from recycled material in 2020, up from approximately 44% in 2019. Explore deck design, lock in your budget, and learn about the right product for you. Unlike wood, and even many PVC options, high-performance or “capped” wood alternatives resist fading, scratching and mold—and won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter. Spilled food, dropped grill tools and wet planter pots are no match for newer composites like the high-performance Trex Transcend collection.

Comparing Composite Vs Wood Decking

There are very many brands to choose from when it comes to composite decking, and again the need to review the features of each brand is crucial. Check out Best Composite Decking Brands and Top Composite Decking Brands for the best picks.

• Because the components are virtually maintenance-free, gallons of stain and/or sealant are saved.
• The eco-benefits of composite extend beyond the recycled materials used in the decking’s manufacture.
• The experts at Trex share some of the reasons why you should consider using composite materials for your next outdoor living project.
• If you walk on a wood deck barefoot, you risk a splinter—but that is not the case when walking on a composite deck.
• More durable than wood, composite decking stays out of the landfill longer.

Advantages Of Trex® Decking Material

Looks Beautiful and Natural — Woodgrain and the occasional streaks typical of natural wood are difficult to replicate. This is why you see composite products that obviously look like imitation wood grain, with an unfortunate, “plasticky” appearance.

Every 10 square feet of composite decking contains nearly 1,100 one-gallon milk jugs and 3,000 recycled plastic shopping bags. Affordability, durability, and easy maintenance are only a few reasons to consider composite decking over wood, and there are several more to keep in mind.

This type of decking is also very safe because it’s splinter-free, making it ideal for families and pets. Fading seems to be another complaint with composite deck owners. My parents have talked for years about replacing their wood deck with a composite deck. Many of you out there might be in the same spot and wonder if this type of deck will work for you, so let’s take a closer look at them. Wood grains range from cathedral and straight patterns to dual-embossed wood grains to hand-scraped and infinitely variable finishes. The estimated average cost of capped polymer deck boards and Ipe hardwood decking costs are based on the national average for a 16’ x 20’ deck.

Composite decking often goes down the same way as wood, that is, with stainless steel decking screws. But some manufacturers offer products with clip or tongue-and-groove assembly. These easy building systems result in deck surfaces without unsightly rows of visible screw heads. Eco-Friendly — Composites are usually made from virgin plastic with less than half made of recycled content. Comparatively, Trex is made from 95% recycled material, including wood, sawdust and plastic film, which makes it one of the most eco-friendly building materials in the industry.

The Crew at Ridgeline Decks took a dream and then made it come true. This was a great company to work with, Ryan made great suggestions to help make the plan come together. His workers were very professional, they took the extra time to clean up after themselves and always left the job site tidy. This is a very professional company with skilled employees.