Wood Vs Composite Decking

Here are some results from a Sherwin-Williams study of what happens to composite decking after 3 years of exposure. The dark gray and black spots are mold and mildew growing on the boards.

5 Great Deck Materials - Popular Mechanics

The Materials for Making a Modern Deck

(For a complete report on and ranking of the environmental impact of various plastic and composite materials by the non-profit Healthy Building Network read the Guide to Plastic Lumber). The most enviro-unfriendly material used in composite decking is plastic, particularly "virgin" or new plastic made primarily from petroleum or natural gas.

• They have the appearance of wood but are made with recycled material.
• See our Deck Planning and Materials Guide to learn about different types of decking.
• This water-resistant decking also resists mold and stains but doesn’t require sealing or painting.
• Compared with wood, which requires cleaning and regular staining and/or sealing, composite boards make for a “build and chill” project.
• Because of its plastic content, composite decking neither splinters nor rots, and it resists mold and mildew.
• Hands down, easy care is the biggest plus for this material.

Facts About Composite Decking

With Trex Decking’s simple to install clip system, even amateurs can effectively install a new deck. Trex even provides simple how-to guides for those who want to make their deck a DIY project. 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. In contrast, composite decking brands like MoistureShield and ChoiceDek are fully moisture-resistant to the core, which allows them to be installed in high moisture conditions without decaying. The result is composites that more closely resemble wood deck boards, like MoistureShield’s Vision decking line. Routine cleaning and maintenance are required for both wood and composite decks.

Composite Decking: Does It Really Stack Up?

Can You Install New Decking Over Old Deck Boards?

So, even if the factory's binder creates a perfect seal, and that's not possible, that perfection is soon compromised in the normal course of using the deck. Keep in mind that all composite decking materials, including composites, are still largely experimental. Unlike wood – with which we have worked for about a million years and the characteristics of which we know very well – composites are a new and imperfectly understood material. The most common complaint about composite decking is mold growth.

What Kind Of Decking Is Best For Winter?

Some manufacturers use vinyl which is decidedly un-green. On the surface, composite materials look mighty un-"green" with lots of unpronounceable chemicals, some of which can be highly toxic. So, are you trading convenience for some sort of health or ecological disaster when you select composite decking materials? But, neither are composites especially environmentally friendly. What is certain is that making WPCs requires a careful mixing of ingredients not just for performance but to keeps costs under control.

Two of the most common options are wood and wood-plastic composites. Whether you plan to do the job yourself or hire a contractor, this article discusses factors to consider when comparing wood vs. composite decking. 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. 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.

If placed on top of other decking, there will be little drying potential beneath the new decking and more rapid decay of both the new and old can be expected. For manufactured products, installations over old decking or solid surfaces are prohibited and will likely void the warranty.

A Lifetime Deck?

Compression molding takes the combined molten materials and places them on a wood grain mold and then compresses them under extreme heat and pressure which creates a physical bond. For some composite decking companies, all water and leftover ingredients are recaptured and recycled in the manufacturing process. For this project, we’re using composite decking rather than treated wood decking boards. Composite boards are a low-maintenance alternative to wood decking. They have the appearance of wood but are made with recycled material.

The deck floor was no longer in the same plane, nails were popping like a pan of Orville Redenbacher, and the cap rail had bowed into the shape of a miniature ski slope. It was time to get out with the old deck boards and in with the new—the “new” being low-maintenance composite decking. Another reason to mix materials is to reduce maintenance needs. Things like wood handrails and wood decking boards need regular maintenance and finishing to prevent splinters. DuraLife’s unique polypropylene and hardwood composite decking materials simply outperform all other wood and composite decking products. More solid and safe under foot, DuraLife decking is backed by a 25-year warranty.

However, over the lifetime of the deck, expenses for composite decking are likely to be lower. This is largely due to reduced upkeep, as well as its longer lifespan. Composite decking stacks up, and, in some respects, it surpasses the competition. Composite decking is low maintenance as it never requires any sealing, painting, or sanding.

DuraLife composite decking products are uniquely manufactured with a super-strong, co-extruded polypropylene outer shell that forms a “force field” around three sides of the board. This makes DuraLife exceptionally resistant to staining and fading compared to older generations of composite decking from other manufacturers.