What Is The Difference Between Various Types Of Composite Decking

Your new deck isn't just a great way of enjoying good weather, it's an investment that adds value to your home and can last for upwards of 50 years. That's why it makes sense to understand the range of building materials available to ensure you choose just the right deck for your garden. Budget and quality are a big part of the equation but there are other factors to consider when it comes to choosing the material you are going to use for your decking.

If the deck is installed in the cold, hot weather will make the boards expand and go longer. Any gaps close and if they close too much the boards lift, warp and twist.

Decking Life Spans And Maintenance

Although not found in all composite decking producers, our own Composite Prime product is FSC certified, which means that we only source our wood flour from sustainable timber. Furthermore, there is the equivalent of more than 3,000 recycled plastic bottle caps per square metre of our composite decking. We always aim to make sure that as much of our product is environmentally friendly as possible.

The battle between wood and composite decking materials has been going on for decades with mixed results. While wood decks were clearly winning the bids until some ten years ago, the composite decking materials improved immensely in terms of structure, durability and safety. Nowadays, the choice between both comes down to your own budget and personal preferences. Composite decking, on the other hand, will last around years but requires less maintenance. The majority of composite decking just needs to be cleaned regularly, and there is no need to treat or stain it to prevent moisture damage. Due to the low maintenance requirements of composite decking, timber is by far the most time consuming material over its lifespan.

Ultra Decking

The wood starts off as a warm yellow tone and then silvers down over time. Softwood decking is a good, cost effective solution for play areas and family decks. Composite decking is made from mixtures of wood and plastics. Having the right blend of good quality timber fibres and high density polymers is critical. If you have ever left softwoods outside, you will find they absorb water, swell, crack and rots quickly.

• Not only is it less susceptible to rot or damage that would require further repairs or work, but it also retains its appearance a lot better than hardwood.
• There can be no doubt that wood is going to have a significant lifetime but compared to composite wood plastic it’s nowhere near as strong.
• Colouring on composite decking doesn’t fade as quickly and it doesn’t require products like paint or varnish to keep it looking new.
• However, many of our clients simply prefer the look and feel of real wood, or the luxury of a hardwood deck.
• Composite decking will keep the same look and colour for longer without the need for ongoing maintenance, so if you would like a hassle-free deck this is the better choice.
• The durable properties of composite wood plastic also mean that composite decking requires less maintenance than wood.

Trex actually saves 400 million pounds of plastic and timber from landfills each year and its boards are made from 95% recycled materials. of 25 years on our Frontier range and 15 years on our Pioneer range. As a result, you are safe from additional costs and worries that you would face annually due to necessary wooden deck maintenance. However, you can now get very realistic looking composite decking that looks just like real wood. Be aware though that these boards are more expensive, so you may need to look at your budget before deciding.

Timber is one of the most environmentally-friendly materials you can use. All of our timber products are responsibly sourced to minimise your impact on the environment further still. This gives recycled plastic decking profiles a much lower whole life cost than any wood or even wood plastic composite decking products. That said, if you still want the look of an old-fashioned timber deck, composite decking is probably a better choice than plastic due to its wood content and more authentic-looking grain. Another benefit of composite wood plastic over wood is its sustainability credentials.

Wood Decking Vs Plastic Wood Decking

Composite decking is a popular choice because a good quality composite deck will look convincingly like wood, but is lower maintenance across the board. The main advantage of composite decking is that there’s no sealing or ongoing maintenance required, which makes it very appealing to certain people. What’s more, composite decking won’t fade, warp or cause you to get splinters in your feet, and it’s eco friendly. Some of the composite decking products available nowadays are so cleverly made that you need to look pretty closely to see that they’re not in fact wood. That said, it is important to point out that this type of decking is not a natural product. Hardwood decking is made from slow growing deciduous trees which makes it a more expensive option to hardwood as the trees take a long time to grow and therefore the process takes longer. Hardwood decking comes in a range of colours and finishes which will suit both traditional and contempory settings.

Trex Composite Decking Vs Wood Decking

Hardwood timber is easier to clean than softwood decking and has incredible strength. Compared to softwood, hardwood timber is more durable and high quality. They are generally more expensive than softwood but you get what you pay for and in the long run it will be more cost effective than a softwood deck. The battle between wood and composite decking materials has been . The cost factor and maintenance efforts put into both types of decking. It’s true that plastic deck boards are marginally cheaper than composite wood, but bear in mind that you get what you pay for. Synthetic decking often has a cheap look, and the boards are prone to flexing and splitting.

Wood Vs Composite Decking

Worse still they are mixed with cheap low grade PVC’s and low density polymers . Composite vs timber Is timber really worth the 21 Jun 2019. Composite vs timber Is timber really worth the cost and effort. With the man made boards of composite decking offering less maintenance. Painting and staining the wood yearly can add to the upkeep and labour costs . Composite decking consists of several materials, including an element of plastic, wood and polymer. The combination of these materials gives composite decking a similar appearance to authentic wooden decking and the moisture-resistant qualities of UPVC decking.