When it comes to options for decking materials, you are certainly spoilt for choice. Not only do homeowners have a broad variety of wood types to select from, but they also have plenty of composite products choose from too. The downside is that choosing between a plethora of wooden decking and composite decking options makes the decision-making process quite difficult.
Remember choosing one or the other isn’t a black and white decision. Each decking material comes with its advantages and a fair share of challenges. We want to make it easy for you with this quick guide to composite decking.
Composite Decking vs. Wooden Decking: What’s the Difference?
What’s composite decking? It’s essentially a hybrid decking material that’s manufactured from recycled plastic and wood fibers. The end product is a heavy, dense, stain, and, best of all, weather resistant decking board. Unlike traditional wooden decking boards, composite decking doesn’t warp, splinter, rot or even split.
Advantages of Composite Decking Over Wooden Decking
There are a ton of reasons why composite decking has gained remarkable popularity in the past few decades. Here are top benefits that make choosing composite decking an excellent choice over traditional timber boards.
(1) Virtually Maintenance-Free
It’s no secret decks and patio take a lot of beating from weather elements, foot traffic, and even pest. That’s where composite decking brings its A-game. Maintaining the deck is effortlessly easy. In fact, you’ll go for years before you even think of making any repairs.
(2) Easy Installation
While installation of composite decking varies from brand to brand because of how the materials contract and expand, generally they are far much easier to install than wooden decking. For starters, composite deck boards come complete with groove and tongue systems that allow them to quickly click into place, significantly reducing the effort and time needed to install.
(3) No Staining, No Problem
Unlike timber decking, composite deck boards don’t require staining, sealing or painting. In this way, composite decking saves you lots of hassle, time, and money.
(4) Slip-Safe
The trouble with plastic or wooden decking is that they can get quite slippery when wet. With composite decking, however, that is a thing of the past. They offer plenty of grip, making it a great choice for areas where kids place and around outdoor pools.
(5) No Splinters and Cracks
Don’t you just hate when flakes and cracks in the wood spoil the beauty of your decks? With composite decking, that’s no issue at all.
(6) Cost Effective
Composite deck boards are quite affordable to buy. With weather and rot resistances, you will also save plenty in the long run. They don’t fade in the sun or lose its allure with time.