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Comparing Composite Decking vs Wood Decking
Decking is an easy way to make any outdoor area look better and more functional. It’s a naturally beautiful, flexible entertainment and lounge center that can be used year-round. However, you have a lot of choices when it comes to planning your job. You can choose between solid wood decking or composite decking.
A wonderful deck can add color to your outdoor life. The common deck trim materials available in the market today are wood and composite decking materials. But you don’t know whether to install composite decking or solid wood decking? Our decking experts have prepared this easy-to-follow guide to help you choose the best deck for your needs.
Composite Decking
The term “composite” usually refers to something that is made up of more than one material or element. In the realm of outdoor decorative materials, composite is often used to refer to decking made from a mixture of wood and plastic. This is a man-made decking material. Different brands of composite decking contain different amounts of wood or plastic.
During the manufacturing process, the plastic and wood portions are mixed to make a uniform object. The composite decking is then manufactured using extrusion or compression molding. During the process, adhesives or colorants can be added to change the decking color or to extend the life of the product. Once the mix is cooled, it is ready to be made into decorative panels.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are plastics that are often recycled. Some companies can mix these materials to make their blends. The technology used to make these products has come a long way in the last few years and there are now some great products on the market.
Advantages of Composite Decking
Low Maintenance
Keeping a solid wood deck in good condition may require first treating it and then sanding, stripping, and sealing it regularly. With composite decking, you don’t need to perform regular maintenance and upkeep on it.
All you need to keep it looking good is a soft bristle brush and warm soapy water. You can even use a power washer to clean your composite decking, but of course, using a power washer requires extra care.
Long Service Life
Traditional wood decking requires regular maintenance and care. A well-maintained wooden decking can usually last for 10-15 years. Composite decking has a much longer service life than wood decking. A properly installed composite decking that follows the instructions can last 25-30 years.
Outdoor Durability
The effects of the outside environment can cause wood to become moldy, rot, and fade. With composite decking, the plastic and other components make it resistant to these forces of nature. Composite decking boards do not absorb water, so they will not crack warp, or mold.
Safety
On the other hand, wood decks can become very slippery in the winter if the right measures are not taken. If you are using composite decking, this will not happen as often. You and your family can stay upright all year round. Another problem with wood decking is that it can crack, but composite decking does not.
Disadvantages of Composite Decking
High Initial Cost
Composite decking usually costs more to install than wood decking. This is a bigger problem for people on a budget. Among the common deck trim materials available in the market, wood decking is one of the cheapest decks.
But composite decking does not require regular maintenance and it lasts longer. This means that composite decking not only reduces the post-maintenance cost of your deck but also allows you to have more time to enjoy it.
Plastic Texture
Composite decking looks like natural wood, but it’s not made of wood. If you care a lot about real wood, then this is a problem with composite materials. The natural characteristics of wood will not be as authentic.
Also, some people find composite decking “too perfect” because every plank looks and feels the same. However, depending on your needs, this can be a good thing!
No Painting or Staining
When it comes to composite decking boards, you only get the look that the manufacturer provides, and the color generally doesn’t change. With regular wood decks, on the other hand, you can change the color of your deck by choosing the right paint.
You can let the wood weather naturally, or you can use items that will sharpen the grain of the wood. For wood, you can sand and repair damaged areas. But with composite decking boards, it is much harder to do this.
Wood Decking
As you may have guessed, wood decking is easier to work with than composite decking. It is a natural product, made from solid wood that is machined to shape. No other materials are used in the process of making it, but it may need to be treated with chemicals.
After installing a wood deck, paints or sealers can be used to improve or change the appearance and longevity of the wood deck. Some types of wood decks can be treated during the fabrication process. Pine, for example, can be heated and cooled, which can make it last longer and look better.
Advantages of Wood Decking
Natural Wood Grain
The biggest advantage of traditional wood is its natural beauty. Composite decking is both strong and easy to clean, but it just wants to look like real wood. If you look at it up close, the plastic texture will still be present on the surface of the composite decking. So for people who value natural beauty, there is no substitute for the natural texture of traditional wood decking.
Affordability
People have been using wood to decorate their homes for centuries. This is because wood is widely available and affordable. Pressure-treated wood is one of the cheapest decking materials. And cost is usually one of the most important factors for people.
Choice of Tree Species
For wood decks, you can buy softwood-type decks from the store and they still look good. But if you are on a bigger budget, you can buy good hardwoods. Different types of wood can give you a different look for your deck. Of course, regardless of the type of wood, you will need to perform regular maintenance and upkeep work.
Profile Choices
With wood decks, you have as many shape options as there are tree species to choose from. There are four distinct profiles: fluted, smooth, flat, and castle. Each shape has its look and feel, and you can even ask your carpenter to create a different pattern for you.
Disadvantages of Wooden Decks
Durability
Wood is an organic material that can be damaged by factors such as UV rays, wood-boring fungi, and water. This is one of the advantages of wood, but it also means that it can mold and rot. To avoid this, ensure that you purchase good quality, strong hardwoods and take care to carry out regular maintenance and care work.
Regular Maintenance
If you don’t want to do any maintenance on your wood, you might not think it’s worth it. This is because once you build a deck using timber, you will have to maintain, repair, paint, and seal it at regular intervals. This is not something that everyone is comfortable with.
Easy to Slip When Wet
During the fall and winter months, you can fall due to rain and mulch-like leaves and dirt. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to make sure your deck doesn’t slip.
Cost Comparison of Wood Decking vs Composite Decking
The initial price of Composite decking and solid wood decking can be very different, making it difficult to make comparisons. Different composite decking brands have different prices per square foot. Therefore you can compare different decking brands.
Although pressure-treated decking is less expensive, it costs less than composite decking. but the price of high-quality cedar, redwood, and other woods is close to the price of composite decking. And the price of sturdy and durable tropical hardwoods is even higher than the price of composite decking.
In addition to the one-time costs, you should also consider the costs incurred over time. Unlike wood, composite decking does not require maintenance and upkeep. This means that it costs less and requires less time for long-term maintenance. Therefore, composite decking should save you money in the long run.
Should I Choose Wood Decking or Composite Decking?
This depends on what you want from your deck. If you want something that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, is safe for children, won’t rot but still has some of the natural characteristics of wood. Then composite decking is a good choice. If you are a true wood lover, value its beautiful natural look, and are willing to do some maintenance, then wood decking is the way to go.
It doesn’t matter how much money you have when choosing between composite decking and wood. There are options at both ends of the price range. Either type of deck will last a long time with proper maintenance and care. Both types of decking can give you a better outdoor living experience.
Again, composite decking is more suitable for people who want a sustainable solution. Composite decking is made using wood fibers and recycled plastics. This means that using composite materials reduces the amount of plastic waste in your life and reduces the number of trees viewed. On the other hand, cheap or chemically treated woods are more likely to be harmful to the environment, regardless of what kind of wood they are.
Starting Your Deck Project
Once you understand the pros and cons of both deck materials, you can choose the right deck for your needs and budget. For most people, composite decking is probably a better choice. With years of manufacturing experience, Therefore, EVODEK offers boardwalk decking, ceiling, and facade type composite decking options and strives to provide customers with high-quality laminate flooring. If you’re interested, contact us today.
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