Advantage And Disadvantages Wood Plastic Composite

Mold And Mildew On Composite Decking

Additional material required is slashed to only a third of a deck board for each side of the deck. Bringing costs to only slightly over a $100 to finish the composite deck board ends. Finishing the deck boards with a finishing detail that requires regular and extensive maintenance destroys the low maintenance advantage of the composite deck. The level and type of care needed for the end detail must match the decking maintenance. The number one driving factor in finishing the ends of composite decking is appearance. However, you choose to complete the decking; it must look good. You may as well trim the decking and leave it at that.

What Are The Drawbacks Of Composite Decks?

To maintain your deck, all you need to do is only an occasional cleaning with soap and water and sweeping away any tree leaves or debris. When choosing a deck, its texture is important, especially when you choose a pool deck, for example. In this case you’d want to have boards with a non-slip texture which is of great significance for the safety of the pool deck.

The cut ends of composite decking are less than beautiful, requiring a finishing detail. If you're eager to minimise your impact on the world around you, you'll be pleased to learn that composite decking is a relatively green choice compared to traditional timber decking. Whereas the hardwood market contributes to deforestation, our composite deck boards are mostly made from reclaimed wood that would otherwise have gone into landfills.

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.

• Routine cleaning and maintenance are required for both wood and composite decks.
• Often, combining synthetic and organic materials seems to capture the best of both worlds , and creates a durable product that looks and feels similar to wood decking.
• So when your looking at the pros and cons of composite decking, take the time to make the decision is the right for you.
• Composite manufacturers now admit that there are no "maintenance free" decking materials of any kind.
• The fact is, there are many products on the market depending on your location.
• As for materials, most composite products are manufactured from wood by-products, such as sawdust, wood chips or recycled plastics.

Consider deck repair services if your wood decking becomes damaged. Composite decking is a procedure in home making that requires building decks utilizing reused materials. These materials include a blend of environment amicable materials like plastic, strands and wood. Most are made from recycled wood scraps and plastic ­– making them pretty eco-friendly. They come in a variety of earth-tones and wood colors to match your outdoor decor. Many manufacturers also add fake wood grains, either in the coloring or the mold in which the planks are formed.

Plastic Decking Boards End Caps

The bright, crisp composite decking color you get fresh from the factory is not going to be the color you see a year or even 3 months, after installation. Non-capstock decks fade a lot and will eventually fade to a drab weathered gray that looks little different from the color of dingy, weathered wood. Capstock deks also fade, just not as much or as quickly. Walking on the deck eventually wears through the plastic that "seals" the wood particles that make up the bulk of the material in a composite deck board. The plastic used in most composite decking is polyethylene , a soft and not very tough plastic. As will the tougher plastics like PVC and polypropylene.

Pros And Cons Of Softwood, Composite And Hardwood Decking

If you use real wood for your decking material, then you’ll need to sand and stain it periodically to preserve it. You won’t have that problem if you choose composite decking instead. The only thing you need to do with the product is to clean it periodically with some soap and water. That means you can spend more time enjoying the deck instead of taking care of it. This advantage applies in all environments and terrain options as well, so every homeowner can enjoy the ease of use. Keep in mind that composite decking is permanently colored in order to avoid or reduce maintenance. In other words, the color, tint, and shade cannot be changed.

Composite Decking Review

Unlike hardwood deck boards, DeckPlus composite decking never has to be painted or stained. Your garden deck will last for years with virtually no effort at all - see our Warranty Information to find out how long you can expect your decking to last. A cedar deck will last 15 to 20 years, with decks built close to the ground or in the shade coming in at the bottom of that range. Certain pressure-treated decking products come with a limited lifetime warranty, and composite lumber decking products typically offer a limited 20-year warranty. EverGrain, for example, comes with a 20-year warranty against rotting, splitting, splintering and termite damage.

Of these eight options for finishing composite deck ends, picture framing is my favourite. The decking finish I most often finish composite decking with. There are several reasons, appearance, maintenance and life of the deck of why I favour picture framing composite decking. Rip a composite deck board an inch or so thick and screw to the ends of the composite decking. Giving the decking boards end the nice clean finish of rounded decking edge.

Common issues with composite deck products can include severe scratches and deep gouges - difficult to repair without replacing individual deck boards. Since composite decks don’t need to be painted, stained, or treated. There is normally no need for annual or twice a year care. Keep in mind your typical wood deck will weather, fade, crack, and split as it dries over time. Therefore, In order to keep a pressure treated deck looking it’s best, you need to put in ongoing effort. A traditional look of wood decking but doesn’t always work with composite decking. More and more composite decking is scalloped to reduce cost and weight.

The decks are resistant to temperature changes, heat and cold and does not fade or lose color. The color of the boards lasts much longer than traditional wood stain or paint. When composite deck manufacturers compare their products to wood decks, they always compare to unsealed wood decks. Generally, a sealed and maintained wood deck lasts about as long as a maintained composite deck. Now that a little time has passed and some research has been done, these expansive claims are just not holding up.

The first products were made from old shipping pallets and recycled milk cartons, advertised as being something that was 100% resistant to rot. Studies published in the Forest Products Journal in showed that this was not the case. Your boards must receive treatment with a preservative to maximize their potential to fight the natural aging process. Without this step, the natural wood fibers will still begin to disintegrate, which can leave uncomfortable plastic fibers sticking out of your deck over time, creating a walking hazard. When choosing the best decking for your patio, balcony or rooftop deck you have many available options.

Creating ugly decking ends with voids that paint cannot hide. Probablythe easiest way to finish decking ends with no additional costs. Simple trim the decking and install the fascia flush to the top of the decking. All steps and materials that every composite deck requires. The end finishing of the decking boards should not increase maintenance required for the deck.