Not sure whether opting for composite decking would indeed be beneficial? We help you out by explaining the various benefits of this decking type.
Impressed by the composite decking you saw at a friend’s home?
Indeed, the beauty of such decking would appeal to anyone who sees it, which is why it has gained such popularity in recent times. But there is, of course, much more to composite decking than just the external appearance.
And to develop a clear idea on the topic, you must be acquainted with all the benefits of such decking and must also steer clear of the misconceptions regarding it. That’s where we can help you out by putting forward this comprehensive guide to the benefits of composite decking.
With all said and done, let’s get straight to the point.
9 reasons why composite decking is beneficial
Safety
All homeowners would want to alleviate the possibility of accidents that are more likely in children, older people, those who are physically weak, and your furry companions. Thus, when you’re building a deck for your home, it’s essential to consider how safe the structure would be for the entire family and the visitors.
If you choose to install good-quality composite boards for decking, you can be pretty sure that they won’t have any exposed fixtures for installation. This would ensure that the finish is seamless and clean, with no loose screws popping up over the boards, as that’s a severe hazard for the feet.
Another risk of using weaker timber boards for wood decks is that splinters might develop on the wood within a short while, especially near the screw holes. What gives rise to such splinters is moisture absorbed by the wood during rainy days and the constant weather change that causes it to expand.
That causes injuries and ultimately makes the wood deck weak and inefficient. Naturally, you would either have to spend a hefty amount in getting it repaired or do it yourself, which can be pretty taxing.
In comparison, composite boards are less prone to degeneration by changing weather conditions when used for outdoor decking. That’s because these are protected by a polymer coating that keeps the moisture out and maintains the structural integrity of the deck. Moreover, this coating extends to each groove, corner, and edge of the decking to ensure the entire structure gets the proper protection.
Design
Composite decking also provides you with the flexibility needed for designing the deck as per your needs, which is a great advantage. The boards used for such decking come in a range of shapes and colours, which can be used to design your deck in any way you can think of.
You can even use these boards to come up with any design generally created using traditional wood. In fact, every minor detail, including the subtle contemporary hues and the enhanced form of wood grains, can be recreated flawlessly. So much so that no visitor would ever be able to recognise that the decking material is actually not the original timber.
If you want to create a finish different from what is commonly used for traditional decking, that is also achievable using these composite wooden boards. Since these are available in a number of contemporary as well as traditional colours, you can use a combination of different tones and patterns to highlight the deck edges. Ultimately, this would give rise to an elegant and modern finish in the composite decking that would leave every homeowner impressed.
Sustainable and eco-friendly
Going for quality composite decking would undoubtedly be a great step towards sustainability as well. After all, it uses over 90% of recycled materials from landfills, including recycled plastic for producing composite boards.
Note that the traditional form of recycling only allows you to down-cycle plastic; that is, a plastic product cannot be made into another identical product. Water bottles are generally used to make plastic bags, which is the last step in the recycling process.
However, many of the leading brands producing composite decking use plastic along with wood for their manufacturing procedure. This results in plastic being recycled and used in a new form to contribute towards sustainability.
As for the wood used for composite decking, it meets the environmental standards set by major organisations advocating the use of sustainable products.
This efficient combination provides such boards with the charm and elegance identical to timber. And the good news is that it doesn’t have any adverse environmental impact, unlike the latter. Thus, by choosing this environmentally friendly alternative, homeowners can do their bit to make the planet a better place to live in.
Cost efficient
From the benefits of composite decking that we’ve discussed till now, you might be under the impression that it is a costly option to go for. But the real picture is quite different; it’s actually cheaper in the long run.
Though it may be priced slightly higher than real wood decking during purchase, once you consider the maintenance cost, the overall expenses on composite decking will turn out to be much less.
On the other hand, the maintenance costs for timber decking are much higher since you need to pay hefty amounts for staining or any repair work. You may even have to replace the deck within just 10-12 years.
Resistance to pests, mold, and mildew
The variety of innovative materials used in making composite decking gives it the power to resist insects and bugs and prevent mould growth. However, pests are more likely to inhabit decking made from real wood, plus it’s more susceptible to the growth of mould and other undesirable substances.
Longer lifespan
It’s not often that you replace the deck at your home, which is why installing a deck is a long-term investment. As such, you would always want to go for a decking material that would efficiently withstand the ravages of changing weather conditions and would keep its structure intact.
Composite decking would be the ideal choice in this regard, considering its highly structured manufacturing process and the much greater density of the boards. This is why the durability on offer is better than most traditional decking options; as such, it would never warp, crack, or split, as in the case of traditional timber.
More beneficial warranty
Going for an option that comes with an effective warranty is essential when you’re investing in home decking. And you’ll be glad to know that most of the well-known brands producing composite decking offer highly beneficial warranties. The average warranty period for composite decking ranges from 25 to 30 years, while for timber decking, it’s merely half of that.
Low-maintenance
As discussed earlier, quality composite decking manages to retain its appeal over the years by withstanding all-natural elements due to the use of a variety of strong materials. And what if we tell you that all this is possible with minimal maintenance? Sounds too good to be true, right?
Well, composite decking indeed doesn’t need any painting, sealing, or staining but is still resistant to all the problems that might arise with traditional decking. To remove any dust, pollen, or dirt accumulating on the composite decking, you’ll just have to wash the spots lightly with water.
But real wood decking would have to be maintained at least once every year by staining and sealing it properly to keep the colour intact. In case you find the colour fading, you will need to paint and sand the surface, which would be equally cost and labour-intensive.
Aesthetics
While offering the durability and performance that every homeowner wants, composite decking also ranks high in terms of aesthetic appeal. In effect, it offers homeowners the beauty of real wood while providing greater strength and practicality than traditional timber decking.
The pattern of wood grain produced in the decking boards is authentic and beautifully complements the look of any landscape. Some brands also offer composite decking that comes with hidden fastener systems, which provide a uniform and clean look while keeping the deck in pristine condition.
You may even get the opportunity to create a reversible design for decking, whereby wood grain is incorporated on one side, and the other side has textured ridges. This look is even closer to natural wood and hence, lends more elegance to the composite decking.
Advantages of composite decking
So, are you still doubtful about installing composite decking at your home? Surely not! So go ahead and start exploring the market for this eco-friendly alternative to traditional timber decking.
At the start, we’d suggest listing a few leading brands and researching the quality and pricing that each one offers for their composite decking varieties. You can also check the customer reviews on their website or contact their customer support to discuss the installation and other essential procedures in detail.
Plus, make sure that the decking you choose is in accordance with your own needs and preferences, as that would determine its efficiency to a large extent.
That’s all we have for you today. Till next time!