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What Is Composite Decking? Pros and What Is It Made From?
Whether you are building a new deck or replacing an old one, there are many things to consider. The choice of material for your deck is one of the most important things. Most people think of solid wood, but you can also use composite decking.
This guide will explain what composite decking is and other pertinent information, and answer some of the most common questions people have about composite wood decking.
What Is Composite Decking?
Composite decking is made from recycled plastic and wood fibers, making it thicker and stronger than wood. This decking material comes in a wider variety of colors, lasts longer, requires less maintenance, and is very environmentally friendly. Some deck manufacturers can also produce composite decking boards that look similar to imported hardwood.
Manufactured wood is another name for composite decking material because it always contains wood fibers in it, such as sawdust or wood pellets. They are usually made by mixing wood with plastic to make a wood-plastic mixture, but can also be made with adhesives such as wood cement or particle board.
For example, the EVODEK composite decking board is made of organic wood fibers and recycled plastic and is strong and durable. Some composite decking also has a special polymer shell that makes it more weather-resistant. The term “composite” can be confusing because it is often used to describe any man-made deck. This includes commercially available PVC decking, which is 100% man-made and made from 60% recycled materials.
How Is Composite Decking Material Made?
The steps involved in making composite decking materials vary depending on the application. Composite decking manufacturers typically produce composite decking by grinding waste wood into small particles and mixing it with plastics and other additives.
Manufacturers can mix thermoplastic resins with wood fibers or make composite decking pellets from the mixture, which are then used to make the final product. To make particleboard and other well-known wood composites, layers of wood chips are pressed together with glue to make the final wood composite.
Additives such as UV stabilizers, colors and dyes, lubricants, and other elements can be added to the mixture to make it more fade-resistant. The blended composite is often made into solid lumber or boards that can be used in construction.
Composite Wood Products
Composite wood is used everywhere from kitchen shelves made of composite lumber to furniture made of particle board. Composite materials are often used for decking because they are more resistant to weather and UV rays and have a longer overall life. This means that composite decking won’t crack or rot like wood decking, and it requires less annual maintenance.
Although some wood composites look more like plastic than wood. However, products such as plywood made from cross-laminated veneer are mostly made from wood and still look and feel like real wood. As composite decking material technology continues to advance, most man-made materials made from plastic are starting to look like beautiful solid wood.
In addition to composite decking, there are some common solid wood composite products on the market:
- Cross-laminated timber
- Veneer laminates
- Plywood
- Fiberboard
- Particleboard
- Oriented Strand Lumber
These composite woods are used in the manufacture of many residential and architectural items, such as:
- Trim
- Siding
- Flooring
- Decking
- Fences
- Furniture
Is Composite Wood Decking Solid Wood?
Composite wood is usually made up of a portion of wood fibers (such as veneer, chips, or sawdust), but it is not real wood from a tree. It is mixed with many other substances and additives that give it qualities not found in the wood itself.
Certain types of wood, such as pressure-treated pine, are made from solid wood that has been chemically treated to prolong its life. It is important to note that the service life of treated solid wood decking is still less than that of composite wood decking.
Different Types of Composite Decking
There are usually three common types of composite decking: solid, hollow, and capped.
Solid Decking
Solid composite decking is thick, strong, and long-lasting. They look more like wood and are commonly used for permanent decking in hotels, homes, businesses, around swimming pools, and on pathways leading to homes. On the other hand, solid composite decking may expand or contract in weather with large temperature variations.
The picture is as follows:
Hollow Decking
Also called “hollow composite decking,” these boards are less resistant to damage and require caps around the edges. Professionals use them for installing wiring, siding, and cladding because their holey construction hides wiring.
Capped Composite Decking
Capped composite decking has a board core and a polymer shell. The board core is made of recycled plastic and wood fibers and the polymer shell is made entirely of plastic. This decking material is therefore more resistant to stains and scratches and does not lose its color. For outdoor decks, swimming pools, patios, etc., these composite decking are a good choice.
The picture is as follows:
Why is Composite Decking Better?
As you look at different decking materials, you need to understand the pros and cons of different materials. Here are some of the advantages of composite decking materials:
Easy to Maintain
How to clean composite decking? Composite decking only needs to be cleaned with soap and water every once in a while to maintain its appearance. Therefore, composite wood flooring is a low-maintenance option for people living in different environments and locations.
Multiple Choices
You can choose from different types and features of composite decking boards, such as UV and stain resistance. This helps to make the deck fit your needs and find the right product for your residence. There are also many colors to choose from, which makes it easy to match the deck to the exterior of your home.
Good for the Environment
Composite decking material is good for the planet in many ways because it is made from recycled plastic and wood fibers. Using composite decking saves trees and recycles wood waste so that a tree can be used for more things. Manufacturers reduce the number of trees cut down by giving them more uses. And using recycled plastic prevents plastic from entering water and other ecosystems.
Usability
Composite decking boards look a lot like real wood, thanks to methods such as embossing and coloring used by composite decking manufacturers. It is also less likely to fade, stain, or scratch.
Capped composite decking is even more resistant to water, mildew, and fading because of its polymer shell. Of course, it is also more expensive than uncapped composite decking.
Hidden Fasteners
In the past, professionals used nails and screws when building decks. Aside from the obvious, they can lead to early corrosion, cracking, and rotting if not installed properly. In contrast, you can use hidden fasteners to install composite decking boards. Hidden fasteners give your deck a smooth, neat, and blemish-free look.
Water Resistance
The materials used in the making of composite decking make them waterproof. They are better than wood when it comes to water and mold resistance, so people who live in places with a lot of rain and snow should choose them.
Non-slip Texture
Through the embossing process, most composite decking boards will have a wood grain surface. These wood grains add to the anti-slip properties of the decking. Therefore, it is perfect for when it rains, pool decks or snow builds up in the winter. Composite decking still looks like solid wood, but it is not as slippery.
Other Considerations for Composite Decking
Here are some things to keep in mind when learning more about composite decking:
Cost
The total cost of composite decking depends on the style, options, and features you choose. In general, though, composite wood decking is more expensive than pressure-treated wood. However, the lower maintenance costs will make up for the initial cost over time.
Weight
Since composite decking boards are heavier than solid wood, the frame needs to be stronger. This means that treated lumber or other harder materials must be used for the supports.
Melting Point
Composite decking boards can melt under special circumstances because they are made of recycled plastic. For example, when hot coals or hot grease are dropped on top of the composite decking. High temperatures not only melt composite decking, they also make the decking boards softer, which can cause them to slip out of their fasteners.
In the summer, composite decking boards that absorb the heat of the sun’s rays can also get very hot. This will not happen if you choose light-colored decking boards.
Hidden Fasteners
While hidden fasteners can extend the life of composite decking and make it look better, they can also be a hassle. To replace a board, you have to remove it from underneath, which can mean removing more than one board.
To Summarize
The appearance of composite decking depends entirely on the company or manufacturer that makes it. High-quality composite decking has the same color, grain, and feel as solid wood. It is therefore one of the best alternatives to traditional wood.
Composite wood decking has some advantages over natural wood. You can find a variety of items made from composite wood, such as flooring, furniture, and decorative items. Want to see for yourself the benefits of composite decking materials? Do you want to choose a suitable wall panel or garden decking for your cozy home? You can order a free sample of our composite decking to see how it compares to the solid wood floors in your home.
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