Wood Vs Composite Decking

Should You Get Wood Or Composite Decking?

As a result, you are safe from additional costs and worries that you would face annually due to necessary wooden deck maintenance. The downside of wood is that it can warp, rot, splinter, and fade over time. With composite, you don't have to worry about the same level of wear and tear. You may find that a composite deck lasts twice as long as a wooden one. You're no doubt familiar with the classic look of wood -- it's elegant and it goes well with a wide range of home exteriors. Composite, though designed to look like wood, isn't actual wood. From an aesthetic standpoint, that's a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your preferences.

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.

• Composite decks are made by mixing wooden materials with recycled plastic.
• And think of the ease of ownership that this relatively maintenance free product provides.
• The plastic acts as protection from insects and other types of threats.
• The total cost of ownership considers how much the deck will cost you per year, over its lifespan.
• When real, long-term value is considered, composite decking materials are clearly a less expensive option.

While I mentioned above that patios can crack over time, anyone careful with their stone will likely find concrete to be a solid solution for many years to come. Setting up cheap concrete paving slabs on your own could lead to you accidentally installing them the wrong way or ending up with a system that just doesn’t endure. Pressure-treated wood requires refinishing with a clear sealer or stain every other year, just half the maintenance of a natural wood deck. Both wood and composites are easy to cut and fasten using common tools most homeowners have.

Composite decking is fade resistant, but it may fade over time in strong sunlight. Composite decking will get lighter in color tone as it fades. An average high-range composite deck cost an average of $39,339 to build, increased the average home sales price by $22,171, but the cost vs. value ratio fell to 56.6%.

Wood is a relatively common and economical choice at present. But people want outdoor spaces to be more beautiful and practical. As more and more builders and homeowners learn about this high-performance composite decking, it has become a new choice for many people. You can build a deck on land that is not level, which makes it a great option for sloping landscapes or uneven yards. Waterproofing materials might be required in some cases to avoid compromising your home’s foundation. Overall, a concrete patio will generally be cheaper to install compared to a deck. Of course, there’s no rule that prevents you from having both a deck and a patio.

You should also plan to stain or paint your deck every other year, and you may need to pressure-wash it annually. Composite, on the other hand, doesn't require sanding, sealing, staining, or painting at all. All you really need to do is give it a thorough clean every year or two. The sad thing regarding this decking install , is that you never should have had to drill the product full of holes for drainage. compromising the structure never should have been in the works. In the future I hope you will consider a real wood product vs synthetic/composite.

Keeping the deck mold and mildew-free is also critical to extending the life of wood decking. We have already discussed the fact that wood decking is easier to replace or repair if only one or two boards need to be replaced. While the Edge Premier Collection comes with the same long-term durability and low maintenance of capped composite decking, it is limited in the available colors and textures. Snap-lock systems are relatively easy to install, but they are harder to replace a single board if required.

Now, Lets Talk About Composite Decking:

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.

No matter what kind of wood you choose, it will always splinter over time. You’ll actually be saving money even though you spend more at the beginning. If I was installing decking, then composite boards would probably be the first thing I'd consider. Wooden decking needs to be maintained properly otherwise it looks terrible pretty quickly and can also get very slippery. Concrete is always going to be your cheapest option.It’s very easy to come by, and what’s more, it is often very durable.