Composite Decking
Contents
Ready To Start Building With Wood?
Here’s a look at some of the newer, more authentic looking composite decking materials available today. Early 2000s –AZEK launches a line of PVC decking products.
Is composite decking slippery when wet?
Traditional timber and composite decking are notoriously slippery when it's wet underfoot. This is especially true if algae and grime has built up. Fitted with aggregate or rubber inserts, non slip timber decking stays safe all year round, even when in wet or icy weather.
Since the plastic protects the wood fibers from the elements, composite decking isn’t prone to rotting, decay, or termite damage. It also won’t fade or wear down from constant exposure to the sun and cold temperatures. Composite decking often comes with warranties ranging from years that guarantee it won’t rot or suffer structural damage under normal residential conditions. If you can’t choose, feel free to mix and match different deck board colors to create your own customized composite deck designs. To explore more of the customization options available to you, visit ourDecking Design & Style Center, then jump into our 3D Deck Design tool to bring your vision to life. With moderate color blending, a cathedral grain pattern, and a wire-brushed finish, the richly hued boards of this deck evoke a sense of timelessness that works well with many different types of homes. Traditional wood can only ever get you one look — and that one look will inevitably fade.
Trex
- Both Trex and TimberTech offer several tiers of composite decking products, from least to most expensive.
- When compared with wood, composite, and plastic lumber, aluminum decking is three to four times lighter, yet two to three times stronger.
- And don’t worry about your deck looking like high-school bleachers.
- Everybody knows color fades in the sun, but composite decking companies seem to be oblivious to what their products are really capable of.
- It can be cut with the same saws and carbide-tipped blades used to cut wood.
What may work on a properly built deck in a dry area — may not at the beach or on a ground level deck in a moist area. They are not universal products … some of the composite products will not work with typical 16″ spacing when replacing a wood deck — especially one that’s not firm to begin with. If you are doing a composite — read the specifications and installation instructions.
Learn More About Deck Materials
Which composite decking is most scratch resistant?
Take a sample piece of each board and run your keys on top of the boards. In our experience, Trex Transcend is the most durable product on the market. It resists scratching far better than any of the other options.
With TimberTech composite decking, on the other hand, you can select from diverse, nature-inspired options that are backed by industry-leading warranties. Note that it is the combination of these three elements — color blending, grain pattern, and finish — that contribute to the overall aesthetic of your deck. When selecting your deck boards, think about the final look and feel you want and choose composite deck designs that capture your style. Our grain patterns help us capture the nuanced beauty of nature in our composite deck designs. Just as different types of lumber show different levels of grain pattern complexity, so too do our composite deck boards. Composite decking has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 90s, and TimberTech and Trex have led the way through growth and innovation. Decking cut from tropical hardwood trees started trickling to market about 20 years ago.
Will adding a deck increase my taxes?
Any structural changes to a home or property will increase your tax bill. A deck, a pool, a large shed, or any other permanent fixture added to your home is presumed to increase its value.
What Is Color Blending?
Now, it wasn’t a really obvious sheen like vinyl has, but it was enough that people were thrown off by it. Unless it has been treated with a shellac or something similar, wood typically has a subtle flat or matte sheen to it, reflecting very little light. It looks and feels like a naturally grown product of the earth.
Before You Set Off To Build The Deck Of Your Dreams, Start By Finding The Material Best Suited To Your Aesthetics And Budget
Again, it seems completely random when this happens, but it happens often enough that you should know about it. Sadly, most composite decking falls into that category. It has been improving slowly over the years with the introduction of capped products and other upgrades, but still, the reports from consumers and contractors are not promising.