Composite Decks
Composite decks are a low-maintenance alternative to wood decks. Though the industry took a hit in the past decade, it has been trending upward lately with the continued increase in the number of quality products available on the market. Compared to 10 years ago when there were only 10 choices, now there are more than 50 different composite decking options.
Factors to Consider
Some of the factors you should consider before using a composite deck:
1. Cost
Are you on a tight budget?
Most composite brands are similar; the differences come down to slight variations in terms of the colors, design, texture, composite mixture and installation systems. Less glamorous composite decks in terms of color and design can come at a lower purchase price due to demand.
Composite decking comes in predetermined measurements, typically in 4-inch increments. Therefore, planning your deck design based on these measurements will save you money and eliminate unnecessary material waste. Additionally, you can keep your costs down by using a system that installs with face screws (as opposed to hidden fasteners) and building rails from wood.
2. Location and Weather
Composite decks are prone to extreme heat when exposed to the hot sun, especially dark-colored materials. This might make sitting out on the deck extremely unbearable, especially when the deck absorbs the light and heat back up to those enjoying the space. To address this challenge, it is advisable to get composite samples in different colors and materials and expose them to the sun. Based on your findings, you can decide on the best look and material for your outdoor space. Generally, lighter colors don’t heat up as much when compared to darker materials.
3. Appearance
Though some high-end composites have superior grain and resemble wood, no one board is an exact reproduction of another. To differentiate one board from the other, a number of the expensive brands have subtle shadings and individual “grain” variations. Some manufacturers go to the extent of buffing up each board in a bid to remove any “plastic” sheen. Additionally, higher-end composites have a wider range of colors and matching add-ons. These add-ons add a visual appeal to your deck. However, they don’t come cheap. They can easily triple the price of a regular wooden deck materials.
