When one homeowner in Pensacola grew tired of their rotting wooden deck, they decided it was time to invest in a new one, made with a material that would last longer and require less maintenance. They reached out to us for advice in deciding which material would be best for them. While there are many options when it comes to decking, we decided that the benefits of composite decking material made it the right choice for this home renovation project and the right product for the budget they had set.
What is Composite Decking?
There are several different types of decking materials to choose from when doing a project like this. While wood is the traditional building material of choice, and typically the cheapest depending on the selection. Composite decking is becoming a more popular choice due to its combination of recycled materials, such as plastic, wood chips, sawdust, or even bamboo. It often looks like wood but feels much more like plastic. It is a lightweight and stain resistant material, which makes it perfect for outdoor use, and sometimes is even cooler under the foot.
Benefits of Composite Decking Material
When working with this homeowner, we decided that composite decking material was the best option because of the many benefits it offers. 8 of those Benefits are as follows:
Environmentally friendly: Composite decking is made of recycled materials, which makes it the right choice for eco-friendly renovators! The making of composite decking is virtually waste-free, and the product contains no toxic chemicals. Thousands of tons of wood and plastics are diverted from landfills and incinerators each year in the composite deck manufacturing process
Weather resistant: Composite material resists damage from the sun, wind, and rain. When your decking resists the elements, it is also less susceptible to splintering and rot and will have a much longer life.
Pest free: Wooden decking material can be invaded by pests unless it is infused with pesticides. The trouble is that these pesticides can be dangerous to children or pets who spend time on the deck! Composite material naturally resists pests, so you’ll have more peace of mind.
Low maintenance: While wooden decks need proper maintenance to prevent splintering and rot, a composite material is much more resistant to these problems, which means less maintenance work for you. And while wooden decks often need to be repainted, composite decking is made in a variety of colors and is fade resistant!
Price: Although the upfront pricing may seem more significant you should think about composite decking as a long term investment. The additional life of the product you gain by having composite boards installed will offset the additional cost. Most composite decks when installed in accordance with manufacturer recommendations will outperform most wood desks by 15-20 years.
Aesthetic Variety: Traditional wood has different hardness rankings and responds to its environment differently based on the species of lumber used. That means that you may have to sacrifice the look you want to account for the softness and/or variability of the material. Not so with composite deck boards; one of the many benefits of composite decking is the option to let your unique style shine through without having to worry about performance or limitation.
Fastening Methods: With the majority of wood materials they must be fastened through the face of the material leaving fasteners exposed and possible protruding over the years. With composite boards there are a number of different methods used to fasten the material to the deck joist.
Industry-Leading Warranties: Most companies offer industry-leading warranties, for example TimberTech offers a industry-best 50-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty and industry-leading Lifetime Limited Warranty for their TimberTech AZEK decking line. This allows you to enjoy an inviting, color-rich deck that is just as beautiful decades later as it was on day one.
After comparing their decking options, it was clear for this homeowner that the advantages of composite decking made it the right material for their new deck. Do you have decking or other general contracting questions? Creekwood Builders can help schedule your free consultation today.