Composite Deck: To Build Or Not To Build

A deck adds value to your home and they extend and enter your living space outdoors. When you are thinking of building a deck you need to consider the best material options for you.
The search for the best available options for your dream deck is not an easy choice. In the search of what you need for your project, you should consider that a deck doesn’t need to be made only from wood decking. There are many options for materials available to build decks, and a popular one is composite decking. Here are all the reasons why you should consider building a composite deck. 

What Is Composite Decking?

Composite decking is lighter and just as easy to install.
Composite decking or a composite deck is one built of deck boards that are made of wood flour (a recycled post-industrial material), PVC, polyethylene, crushed minerals or a polypropylene blend. Mineral-based composite (MBC) is a mixture of polypropylene and a blend of minerals, mainly including calcium carbonate. The composite design does require the use of fascia (to conceal be a transition piece from the outer rim joist to the skirting).

There are many brands of composite decking that come in various designs, colours, and styles that can make your outdoor space durable but still look like wood decking without the hassle that wood can create. Many stores and professionals provide a lot of products to search through to meet your needs.

Advantages of Composite Decking

There are many benefits to composite decking in comparison to wood decking. Composite decking lasts longer and is more durable than wood. Composite decking looks close to wood but doesn’t have the drawbacks of corroding and splitting like wood does. It can hold up to the extreme Canadian weather with minimal thermal expansion and contraction, giving this option the maximum stability and durability of deck boards. The decking is eco-friendly and is 35% lighter than wood with little to no water absorption (what leads to warping, rotting, and splitting). It also has the industry’s best claim for the strength-to-weight ratio for your outdoor project.

Wood deck warping and in need of repairs.

To compare upkeep and maintenance, this decking requires less effort and money to maintain than a deck made of wood. There is no requirement to stain or seal the decking and the strength of the composite eliminates most maintenance that is required in the need for the replacement or repair.

These board products also handle and cut the same as wood and are just as easy to install. The boards are smooth to the touch, so they are barefoot-friendly with good traction, great for those with children who tend to run around without the fear of splinters.

Disadvantages of Composite Decking

The major disadvantage of choosing composite decking over wood for the boards in your deck is the financial impact. In all other aspects, composite out preforms wood or they are the same.

Is Composite Decking Worth It?

Composite has increased traction and absorbs less water, making it the best for around pools.

The cost of composite decking products is pricier than that of regular treated wood. The high price is something that deters most people from considering composite decking, but if you are willing to invest the money upfront, it will save you in the long run. A composite deck would cost about $30 to $45 per square foot installed, while a wood deck would be about $15 to $25 per square foot.

Properly treated wood would need regular maintenance of sealing from weather conditions wear and tear, as well as staining to maintain the visual appeal of the decking. Without wood and using composite decking for your project, the maintenance would just be simple cleaning of leaves or pollen.

The strength saves you time and money in the long run. Wood can last 10-30 years while composite materials can last as long as 50 years often with a guarantee or warranty of 20 years.

Composite decking usually comes with a 20-year guarantee.

In your search for the best decking for your outdoor project consider things like maintenance and strength in decking. Composite decking has many benefits over wood and it’s something that can cause people to go back and forth when choosing what’s right for them.

Contact us at Deckly for decking service and to explore options for your dream deck.

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