16 Pros And Cons Of Composite Decking

Mold And Mildew On Composite Decking

The decks are made of zero maintenance recycled wood fibers and plastics. Expect just the cost of composite decking material itself to be two to five times more expensive than treated pine decking. Here are some of the other factors that add significantly to the total cost of a composite deck. If treated pine is properly sealed and maintained, it will last nearly forever. The difference is not how long a well-maintained deck will list but how much work is required to maintain it. Wood decks may require somewhat more maintenance over their lifetimes than do composite decks.

What Are The Drawbacks Of Composite Decks?

Travelers. Durability comes at a cost, as composite decking is more expensive than wood.

The consequence to you as the composite deck owner is that the nice, tight, wood-like joints in your deck when it was installed in July may be wide, unsightly gaps in February. And, since plastic does not expand and contract evenly, those gaps may still be there the following July. There is not a lot that can be done about it – it's the nature of the material.

List Of The Cons Of Composite Decking

The cost of merbau decking, like all quality timbers, isn’t just a one-off. When decking with timber, you’ll pay the upfront materials cost, the installation cost and the cost of ongoing maintenance.

• So, you are left with the final decision in examining the pros and cons of composite decking.
• The pros and cons of composite decking show that this material is useful in a variety of different situations.
• Modern decking materials are manufactured from plastic and cellulose fibers (ground-up wood) and these are combined with natural or recycled products.
• You can simulate the look and feel of natural wood while preserving the environment and reducing your maintenance needs.
• Nowadays, the market features many brands which have specialized in the manufacturing of such materials.

Composite manufacturers now admit that there are no "maintenance free" decking materials of any kind. Every decking material needs at least a periodic washing. Mold, mildew, and dirt attack every deck - plastic, metal, wood or composite – with evenhanded tenacity, and have to be taken care of at regular intervals. All composite manufacturers now recommend a periodic maintenance schedule, specific procedures, and even products by brand name for cleaning and maintaining their composite materials. When the first composite decking materials were introduced in the 1990s, it was eyed as being the next evolution of the deck-building industry.

Plastic Decking Boards End Caps

Unfortunately, one place where composite decking will probably last a lifetime is in the landfill. There is so far no recycling for composite decks, and those that end up in the dump will probably be there for about 2,000 years. Treated wood, on the other hand, returns to nature in 10 years or less, and untreated wood in as little as 2 years. On the plus side, most composite manufacturers use waste wood products as filler, primarily sawmill waste but also post-consumer recycled wood products such as used wood pallets. The most enviro-unfriendly material used in composite decking is plastic, particularly "virgin" or new plastic made primarily from petroleum or natural gas. Some manufacturers use vinyl which is decidedly un-green.

People use them for cladding, trimming, infrastructures, and even outside the construction industry, such as automotive and general consumer products. But the most popular uses of these materials are for landscaping and hardscaping, especially for decking, fencing, and railing. While very resistant, darker composite deck colors may in fact fade over time. This is an unavoidable process that happens due to the UV rays of the sun, weathering, and high foot traffic. Other potential drawbacks over time can include noticeable surface damage.

Others, offer a rich looking tempered glass system as well. The ease and easier to design option can also end up saving customers a great deal of money over manually recreating the same look. There are even predone stair and landing designs with many composite products. The different materials may create contrast around the deck, but the change in material can be detrimental. Most composite decking has a life expectancy of 25 years or more. They are a few different nosing materials available that can be used on composite decks. Three of the more common are vinyl, aluminum or plastic.

This means there is a chance for you to alter the colour slightly, however, this can be quite an expensive and time consuming process. Many people buy composite decking because it lasts a long time.

This is an important consideration for those who look for a suitable decking option for an outdoor kitchen, fire-pit, or an outdoor fireplace. In addition, planks can be easily scratched and you should be very careful when moving furniture, for example, as composite decks cannot be sanded. Like any material, composite decking offers many benefits, but has its drawbacks as well.

Resting on top of the deck and then hanging over the edge covering the cut ends of the deck. Picture framing a simple 12′ by 12′ (3.6×3.6m) can add $500 to the cost of the deck once the extra material and labour are accounted for. Often increasing as square composite decking boards without the groove often are only sold in 20′ lengths, which increases the costs with large offcuts.

If you can find a product that goes beyond this timeframe, then that material should jump to the top of the list of preferences for your composite decking. When you’re in that situation, the use of hidden fasteners can become a disadvantage rather quickly. You’ll need to disconnect the entire board from underneath, which can mean removing multiple boards to get to the one in question. This disadvantage is the reason why most homeowners opt for the standard installation even if they want a clean look. If you accidentally spill hot cooking grease on your composite decking, then there is an excellent chance that the plastic in this product will melt. You won’t want to grill on this deck either for the same reason.

Cons:

The modern composite decking manufacturing process helps the boards to become mostly impermeable to water. That’s why you’ll find this deck option as a top choice in communities like Seattle where the wet weather is an almost constant feature of life throughout the year.