Composite Decks
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.
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4. Texture
Smooth-textures get slippery when exposed to water. If the deck is going to be situated near a water source such as a pool or hot tub, or if you live in an area experiencing plenty of rainfall, then you should search for a style with a rougher texture.
5. Warranty
It is important to consider what warranty terms the manufacturer provides before committing to purchasing a specific type of composite deck. Most manufacturers will either offer a 25-year or limited-lifetime warranty on structural integrity; some warranties are transferable from one homeowner to another. Minor issues such as fading, scratches, and stains are not usually covered by the manufacturer.
Understanding these five main points ensures that you have a good base knowledge of composite decks and their materials. If you have any questions about composite decks or want to build a custom composite deck, contact the team at Mountain View Sun Decks today.
What Our Customers Say
- Jennifer Foy
“We are very pleased with the work Mountain View Sun Decks did for us. They were on time, efficient and did an excellent job. We highly recommend them for any deck/railing work!"
- Ian A.
"Our glass house in the sky" These fellows managed to build our sun room onto a second floor balcony straight up from the outside...The project was finished on time and on budget, despite all the wet weather. Bravo, Mountain View Sun Decks!
Hi Steven, Happy Friday!!!! Just wanted to say hi and that I love my deck. The guys finished up Wednesday evening. I haven't had time to really enjoy my deck yet but hopefully this weekend I will. Thanks again for all your patience and help with getting this completed and to what I was looking for. I have all of July and August to enjoy my deck now and hopefully September. Have a wonderful weekend. April
Rebuilt the deck at the back of the house;because of cost we kept the same footprint as the previous deck;workmanship was excellent, the deck flooring is exceptional, almost like the extension of the inside flooring, loved the enclosed stairwell and the changes to the railing; very clean exit after job was complete, no delays in getting the work done;very pleased; in hindsight we should have spent the extra money for a tiered deck that we had in mind.
Our experience with the company and its employees, for the most part, has been excellent. The deck was enlarged and updated with dura deck vinyl covering, aluminium powder coated rails and lightly tinted glass over ten years ago, and it still looks great. Additional upgraded railings, opaque glass and a gate were later added. From the initial meeting with the sales representative to the completion of the project, the costs were on budget and on time. The quality of workmanship performed and professionalism of their employees can be considered first rate. The best part of having a Mountain View Sun Deck is not having to do any maintenance, just sit back and enjoy.
We had our old deck replaced. Complete removal and new installation. The work was performed during the winter and completed on time and budget to our complete satisfaction.
They came and put down my deck in record time. Looks beautiful. It was a difficult job because of a previous contractor had failed. They turned things around and left us very happy.
I hired Ewald and his team to replace a old wrought iron circular staircase off my desk with a traditional set of stairs in all aluminum. They were excellent to work with and I'd do business with them again anytime. Very professional, humble, creative, extremely detail orientated and excellent customer service from everyone. Price was fair and nothing negative to suggest about the product or service. Highly recommended!
Great staff, great owner, great service....could not be happier with my custom deck they built for me in 2015 and the issues they caught and fixed during the build. A great company and team....I would highly recommend. No corners cut....just quality product and service. Rod C.
Mountain View Sundecks installed an exterior staircase from out upper deck to the ground on our house. We were very pleased with this install. They were very responsive, met our schedule and came in at the price they quoted. I highly recommend them.
Phone: (403) 547-3723
Fax: (403) 547-3702
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