Comparing Composite Vs Wood Decking

Should You Get Wood Or Composite Decking?

Unlike real wood, you can’t simply change the color by picking from a large selection of stains. For some homeowners with a clear vision of how they want their deck to look, this could be a deal-breaker.

Is Composite Decking Cheaper Than Wood Decking?

What's The Right Choice For Your Deck?

Of course, it has its pros and cons to consider before you commit. Another key benefit of choosing hardwood over composite decking is the potential to increase the value of your home. By having a deck, especially one made with beautiful, durable hardwood, you are providing more living space, which is something many people would pay more for. Wood can be much more cost effective since it offers natural durability and doesn't require special manufacturing. Even with treated lumber, there is a much lower cost for natural hardwood decking. Even composite decks still require annual maintenance in order to prevent algae and fungus growth and to remove the occasional seedling that takes up root between boards. The Janka Hardness Scale is used to rank the hardness or resistance to scratching of various species of wood.

• Now, if you plan to do all the maintenance on your wooden deck yourself , a wooden deck may still be cheaper than composite decking material.
• Aluminium composite decking panels which contain wooden starch and plastic .
• This is due to the fact that the better part of the composite mixture (around 60 to 80%) is made of pieces of wood.
• This material is well-established in practice as it looks stylish – it’s not easy to distinguish between composite and natural wood at first sight.
• Gaining in popularity are composite decking materials, composed primarily of a mix of recycled plastic and wood fibers.
• Further, advancements in this type of decking have made its look-and-feel downright attractive, by many accounts.

With composite, you may get more color choices, though keep in mind that wood can always be painted if you have your heart set on a specific shade. For example, if you have gray siding, you can look for gray composite decking or paint your wood gray. 300 sq foot deck with no railings, ground level would only need 2 gallons of $50 a gallon deck stain or $100 per every 2 years. $700 is ludicrous and appears trumped up to sell more composite decking.

The cost of installing a new patio depends on the material used to construct the patio and whether any leveling or groundwork is needed before installation. A patio measuring 16 feet by 20 feet will vary in cost from $2,500 to $9,500 depending on the materials used and the labor needed.

No matter whether you choose composite or wood, the quality of materials should be your primary concern. A timber deck requires yearly sanding, staining and oiling, maintenance which costs between $450 and $850 per year to maintain. Compare that to the $5 to $15 it costs per year to wash your composite deck. Over the life of the deck, you will be saving every single year that you own your composite deck. NexGEN maintenance free composite and aluminium decking with up to a 50 year stain and fade warranty.

One area where composites come out ahead is they can more easily be bent to form curved deck sections. To extend the life of a wood deck, homeowners must regularly paint, stain or seal the decking to defend against moisture. Composites, on the other hand, only require sweeping or washing to keep the boards looking good. We installed composite decking but first sign of rain and there is water stain Mark’s all over it.Could you tell me why this is?. The staining seems to be coming though the paint from the wood below but it can’t be mould as it’s too new, any idea what it is & how to treat it please?

Whats In Composite Decking?

When you’re in the midst of a big garden makeover, it’s tempting to ignore the fact that, in time, decking is likely going to need a fair amount of TLC. However, it all depends on the type of wood you choose, the size of your decking, and whether or not you treat it.As mentioned, pre-treatment isn’t always the best idea. However, there are a few choices out there which are likely to demand less time and money from you in the long run. One of the most popular choices for cheap decking online is to use pallets. Pallet decking is all about taking wooden pallets and using their slats to create new shapes and designs. Help is a good thing – of course – but when it comes to saving money on decking for your garden, don’t be too hasty to pay out for the extra support.

MoistureShield® offers the only wood composite decking that can be installed in the ground, on the ground or underwater. Discover how our Solid Core has helped prevent structural field failures for more than 30 years and why that matters for your outdoor living space. Additionally, wood decks are known to splinter or warp due to the elements or normal wear and tear from use. However, on average, a well-cared for deck can last up to 20 years or more.

Composite Fencing

If you decide to get a wooden deck, you must be prepared to sand the whole thing down, re-stain it, and reseal it at least once a year. Not carrying out proper maintenance will make your deck deteriorate much faster than it should. However, even dark composite materials do tend to fade in the sunlight. But most colors will keep their natural hue for the deck’s entire lifetime. Sun or shade don’t make much of a difference when it comes to composite decking.