Rather, vinyl decking is a roll-out material that can be used as a protective membrane when waterproofing a deck. Composite decking may have grown in popularity over the past decade, but it’s still considered a specialty product by many retailers. by Richie | Boston Condo, Builder, Building Trends, Contractor, Homeowner | As the weather starts to warm up and the nor’easters call it quits, it’s time to think about spring and summer projects. Building a long lasting deck with composite decking is a complex task. Trex has about half the synthetic portion, which is slowly inching up in market share. We looked at composite lumber for building a window box in our current house, but the price was such that we could build 3 window boxes out of traditional lumber for the cost of one composite box. This article will go over the alternatives to … The resin holds the wood pieces together and protects the material from weather damage. Composite vs. Wood Decks. I'm just slightly too tall for my RS now, and I'm gonna buy another intermediate as my second stick because I'll have to cut the shit out of a senior stick and the flex is too high on those as it is. Posted on 9 Nov 2020. Capped Wood Composite: Has … If you plan on building a composite deck with no trees around, consider going with a lighter colour. With that in mind, here are some of the best composite decking brands available for homeowners and contractors in the U.S. Wood vs. Composite Decks. Composite deck colours are permanent. Our decking experts here at TimberTech offer some insight into … Mar 25, 2018 - Composite decking has come a long way and wood has changed. Composite deckboards offer a number of great benefits over traditional wood decking. Heat Retention. MoistureShield® offers the only wood composite decking that can be installed in the ground, on the ground or underwater. PVC deck boards and decking are suitable for use in building a deck -- just as you would use wood, composite, or aluminum. Manufacturers may use polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene or polypropylene. Wood vs Composite: The Pros & Cons. Unlike with wood decks, you don’t need to coat either AZEK or Trex with a water-repellent preservative. Composite decking is a combination of sawdust and some kind of plastic. End plugs: Composite vs wood, mixing brands, etc. While actual costs will vary greatly from project to project, composite decking has shown costs of 2 to 5 times more than decks built from pressure treated wood, and nearly twice as much as a deck protected with PVC Vinyl. Ekodeck vs Timber. Features. 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. Join the discussion! Composite Wood Decking and Other Wood Deck Alternatives. For some, nothing will ever beat the natural look and feel of wood decking. The majority of decks built today are made of wood. Less opportunity for damage to your deck means more opportunities for you to enjoy it. Composite decks are made up of two main substances: resin and wood. Manufacturers use wood pieces to give the panels the appearance of natural wood. This summer, you’re going to grill, you’re going to lounge, and you’re going to host parties on your gorgeous new backyard deck. The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Concrete Patio Stamped and Stained Concrete Flagstone Look. Wood or composite decking—or something else? Wood is the original and most common choice for decking. One of the first decisions you’ll have to make after deciding to build a new deck is what material to use. We're buying a house with a traditional wood deck that has been well maintained, but it's also well into its lifetime (maybe 25 years) and will have to be replaced in a few years. In this article, we'll take a look at what a $10,000 deck would look like in both pressure-treated lumber and composite … Hi! Find out more about the differences, strengths, and weaknesses between composite … When you’re in the planning stages of building your dream deck, the first big decision you need to make is what’s the best decking material for you. Composite timber is one of the most durable decking products on the market. Do composite decks get hot? If you haven't had to build or replace a deck in the past 20 years, you'll be amazed at the number of maintenance-free decking options that exist today. On average, a pressure-treated wood deck will cost between $15 to $25 per square foot including installation. Wood decking is, of course, the most natural route you can take in building your new deck. Wooden Decks . Higher cost: Composite wood is typically more expensive as an initial cost. Costs, Types, Durability & More WHAT IS COMPOSITE DECKING? Both AZEK and Trex decking gets hot … hotter than wood. Composite vs. Wood Fence. Wood decks take constant care. The Alternative to Wood: Composite Wood Decking. Building a long lasting deck with composite decking is a complex task. The good news is that mold and mildew wash right off of composite decking. The Long-Term Cost Savings of Composite Decking vs Wood. But first, you should be aware that all new decks use treated lumber for the framing. Depending on the quality and brand, it can even be rated for use in areas with a high risk of fire. Innovations. As wood can rot, harbor mold and mildew and therefore need more maintenance and repair as the years roll by, maybe this makes it not the ideal choice of deck material for you. That means you can have trouble finding it on the shelf, which makes good brands hard to identify. Like any major home purchase, decking materials vary in looks, durability, and cost. A cedar wood deck will cost $30 or more per square foot. High-end composites, (again, like the ones used by NewTechWood), come fully capped, meaning that they have a protective layer around all four sides. Composite Decking. CoolDeck® Technology; DiamondDefense™ Coating; Decking Applications. When you look at all Trex has to offer, wood decking begins to feel like signing up for a second job. Whilst composites share a lot of similar characteristics with timber, they differ in many ways. They can get really hot really fast when exposed to direct sunlight. Categories Backyard Improvement (4) Basement Remodeling (6) Cleaning Tips (4) Decking (4) Energy Savings (10) Green Living (12) Hard Landscaping (6) Home Cleaning Tips (4) Home Decorating (7) Home Improvement Tips (36) Home Maintenance (15) Home Renovation (24) Home Security (3) Outdoor Entertaining (2) Outdoor Living (12) Patio Design (4) … Treated lumber resists rotting and decay nearly as much as composite, although the appearance of this product deteriorates quickly. Sure, some wood decks will fare better than others, but they’re no match for the strength and durability of composite decking. Vinyl decking cannot be made into deck boards. The framing is the part of the deck that you don’t see unless you go underneath it. Costs are highly dependent on the products selected and whether you maintain the deck yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Why MoistureShield. Trex composite decking is more durable and longer lasting. The hassles that come with wood. Wood composite fencing and wood fencing differ from one another in several ways. The main reason people choose wood is for the initial cost savings. FACT: Composite decking is built to last in ways a wood deck simply can’t. Join the discussion! Compare Wood vs Composite Deck Cost Quick Summary: Composite vs Wood Deck Cost. Wood fencing had few market competitors until fairly recently, but wood composites have offered an appealing alternative. Made up of 95% recycled wood fibres and recycled plastic, the composite material has unique characteristics. Start your research by becoming familiar with types of authentic and synthetic decking. And different types of decking boards can require very different levels of maintenance. There are a few different types, including: Wood Composite: About 50/50 plastic and wood flour. While there are many different materials out there that you could use, the two most popular are wood and composite lumber (sometimes called synthetic decking), which is a mix of wood fiber and recycled plastic. Standard wood decks and composite decks have a similar impact on the environment. The average cost of composite decking ranges from $20 to $38 per square foot with most homeowners spending between $5,821 and $10,826 to install a 12’ x 24’ composite deck with railings. Simply put, our composite deck boards won’t warp, rot, or weather like wood does. A composite deck will cost $30 to $45 per square foot installed. Cons. May 9, 2017 . Becomes a safety hazard when it rots, splits and splinters. Longevity. Some reputable manufacturers of PVC deck boards include TimberTech / AZEK and Endeck. Deck Maintenance: Wood vs Composite Home Improvement Neil Mathias; August 7, 2020; 0 ; 219 11minutes read; If you’re considering installing an outdoor deck, it’s worth thinking about maintenance. While the cost of material contributes to this difference, a lot of the extra cost is attributed to labor. Some composites use a greater amount of recycled materials, but this is product-dependent and not an industry standard. Of course, darker colours attract more sunlight compared to lighter ones. If you’re limited on time, a summary of the pros and cons can be found here (link to summary section). Over time, a wood deck can rot, split, swell, twist, and fade, and it’s also at risk for insect infestation. 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