- FREE BOARDS AND BEYOND VIDEOS FREE FULL
- FREE BOARDS AND BEYOND VIDEOS FREE PLUS
- FREE BOARDS AND BEYOND VIDEOS FREE FREE
Although composite is very similar in this aspect, remember that composite decking can’t be sanded if staining or surface scratches occur, while modified wood can. Simple cleaning with water, and perhaps a gentle cleanser on tough spots, are all you need. No decking material is truly “maintenance-free”, but modified wood is about as close as you can get.
The major benefits of modified wood include: Even tropical hardwoods known for their density and durability can’t quite check off all the boxes that modified wood can. Modified wood is arguably the best decking material on the market for homeowners, when it comes to composite decking alternatives. Although there are certainly homeowners that will find composite decking to be a fine material for their needs, its worth it to think about superior alternative to composite decking if beauty, durability and sustainability are important to you.
FREE BOARDS AND BEYOND VIDEOS FREE PLUS
Plus when it comes to the end of your deck’s life, recycling or repurposing composite decking doesn’t always work out.Ĭomposite decking is far from a perfect product.
In fact, compared to modified wood decking, composite is significantly weaker.Ĭomposite decking is often pushed hard as being a green material, however, what many eco-conscious homeowners don’t realize is that composite decking has a significant carbon footprint due to its intensive manufacturing process. The darker the color, the hotter it will get, so bear this in mind.Ĭomposite decking is surprisingly heavy compared to classic wood decking, however that doesn’t exactly equate to it being stronger. Most composites are wrapped with a plastic coating to protect the composite core, however plastic gets hot when the sun hits it, making composite decking extremely uncomfortable to walk on. One of the biggest complaints about composite decking is how hot it gets in the sun. Plus if you penetrate the board beyond its protective plastic cap, serious performance issues can occur if the composite core is exposed. Dents and scratches from moving patio furniture, the family dog’s nails or kids playing on the deck can all leave irreversible damage. Many homeowners dislike the plastic look of even the most expensive composite decking options, which are often the closest to real wood beauty.Ĭomposite decking scratches relatively easily. While composite decking tries to mimic the natural beauty of real wood, the fact remains that achieving the same character just isn’t doable with plastic. Inherent issues of composite deckingĭespite having a few good advantages, composite decking also its disadvantages, some of which even negate its original benefits.
FREE BOARDS AND BEYOND VIDEOS FREE FULL
Looking at these selling features alone, a composite deck sounds great and for many it was, but not everything is always as it seems, making it important to also review the anti composite arguments to try to gain a more full picture perspective. Some composites are available with side grooves to use a hidden fastening system, eliminating most visible fasteners (i.e. Plus with increased longevity, fewer repairs and replacements would theoretically be needed keeping old materials out of landfills for longer.Ĭomposite decking is offered in many different colors and wood grain patterns. Many manufacturers use recycled plastic in their composites. The majority of homeowners were drawn to the idea of composite decking for one or more of these four main reasons:Ĭomposite is moisture resistant and only requires basic cleaning (if using a capped composite board). It’s really not a surprise, given the limited options that were available at the time, that the composite decking segment grew as much as it did. As the market stands saturated with different composite options, many have taken note of an overall decline in quality as well as come pretty hefty drawbacks that have lead homeowners and builders alike searching for alternative decking materials. Fast forward to today, and what was once an exciting new innovation, has now become a bit tarnished and outdated.
FREE BOARDS AND BEYOND VIDEOS FREE FREE
Composite decking rose in popularity throughout the 1990s as consumers sought a more maintenance free alternative to traditional pressure treated wood decking. Composite is a familiar term in the decking industry and likely something we’ve all heard of before.