If you’re limited on time, a summary of the pros and cons can be found here (link to summary section). The Alternative to Wood: Composite Wood Decking. Join the discussion! The good news is that mold and mildew wash right off of composite decking. Rather, vinyl decking is a roll-out material that can be used as a protective membrane when waterproofing a deck. Longevity. Trex has about half the synthetic portion, which is slowly inching up in market share. Composite Decking is a man made, eco-friendly timber/plastic product. There are a few different types, including: Wood Composite: About 50/50 plastic and wood flour. Made up of 95% recycled wood fibres and recycled plastic, the composite material has unique characteristics. There’s only one problem: it isn’t built yet. Wood vs. Composite Decks. Both AZEK and Trex decking gets hot … hotter than wood. Apr 11, 2019 - Composite decking has come a long way and wood has changed. Some reputable manufacturers of PVC deck boards include TimberTech / AZEK and Endeck. Costs, Types, Durability & More WHAT IS COMPOSITE DECKING? Of course, darker colours attract more sunlight compared to lighter ones. Building a long lasting deck with composite decking is a complex task. In this article, we'll take a look at what a $10,000 deck would look like in both pressure-treated lumber and composite … Building a long lasting deck with composite decking is a complex task. Higher cost: Composite wood is typically more expensive as an initial cost. Redwood, Pressure-Treated Lumber and Cedar Needs seasonal painting, staining or sealing. Composite timber is one of the most durable decking products on the market. A composite deck will cost $30 to $45 per square foot installed. 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) … Sure, some wood decks will fare better than others, but they’re no match for the strength and durability of composite decking. Unlike with wood decks, you don’t need to coat either AZEK or Trex with a water-repellent preservative. These wood pieces also add a lot of structural support to each panel. If you plan on building a composite deck with no trees around, consider going with a lighter colour. 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. Becomes a safety hazard when it rots, splits and splinters. MoistureShield® offers the only wood composite decking that can be installed in the ground, on the ground or underwater. Wood or composite decking—or something else? 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. Over time, a wood deck can rot, split, swell, twist, and fade, and it’s also at risk for insect infestation. Manmade deck material products include composites, PVC and vinyl from manufacturers such as Trex, Fiberon, Timber Tech and Azek. 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. The hassles that come with wood. Fire resistant: Unlike traditional wooden decks, composite wood has the benefit of being additionally resistant to fire. Less opportunity for damage to your deck means more opportunities for you to enjoy it. 4. Wood composite fencing and wood fencing differ from one another in several ways. Your selection of wood vs. composite decking mostly boils down to your preference regarding aesthetics. We’ll explain the significant differences between natural wood vs. composite lumber for your new deck. *** So, there you have it. While the cost of material contributes to this difference, a lot of the extra cost is attributed to labor. Find out more about the differences, strengths, and weaknesses between composite … Compare Wood vs Composite Deck Cost Quick Summary: Composite vs Wood Deck Cost. Composite vs. Wood Decks. 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. Composite Decking Prices. Wood vs Composite: The Pros & Cons. Heat Retention. 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. CoolDeck® Technology; DiamondDefense™ Coating; Decking Applications. The majority of decks built today are made of wood. 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. Trex composite decking is more durable and longer lasting. Composite deck colours are permanent. 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. 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. One of the first decisions you’ll have to make after deciding to build a new deck is what material to use. Best Decking Material: Wood vs. Vinyl vs. Composite. Wood decking is, of course, the most natural route you can take in building your new deck. PVC deck boards and decking are suitable for use in building a deck -- just as you would use wood, composite, or aluminum. Mar 25, 2018 - Composite decking has come a long way and wood has changed. FACT: Composite decking is built to last in ways a wood deck simply can’t. Like any major home purchase, decking materials vary in looks, durability, and cost. $10k Deck: Wood Vs. Composite - Choosing the materials for your deck can be tough. Composite Decking. This added layer of protection makes composite decks and fences UV-resistant, fade-resistant, and aging-resistant. In comparison, a pressure-treated wood deck costs $15 to $25 per square foot while a cedar wood deck starts at $30 per square foot. MYTH: A wood deck will last longer than a composite deck. Wood vs. Composite Decking: 3 Factors to Guide Your Decision. Hi! Composite … 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. 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. This article will go over the alternatives to … Some composites use a greater amount of recycled materials, but this is product-dependent and not an industry standard. They can get really hot really fast when exposed to direct sunlight. Wood decks take constant care. The Long-Term Cost Savings of Composite Decking vs Wood. Manufacturers use wood pieces to give the panels the appearance of natural 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. 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. With that in mind, here are some of the best composite decking brands available for homeowners and contractors in the U.S. Vinyl decking cannot be made into deck boards. Treated lumber resists rotting and decay nearly as much as composite, although the appearance of this product deteriorates quickly. Posted on 9 Nov 2020. 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. The resin holds the wood pieces together and protects the material from weather damage. Innovations. The framing is the part of the deck that you don’t see unless you go underneath it. Composite vs. Wood Fence. Ekodeck vs Timber. There are plenty of alternatives to wood, when it comes to building your deck. Composite decks are made up of two main substances: resin and wood. Our decking experts here at TimberTech offer some insight into … Start your research by becoming familiar with types of authentic and synthetic decking. Costs are highly dependent on the products selected and whether you maintain the deck yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Synthetic decks are about 17% of the deck industry, with the rest natural wood. Capped Wood Composite: Has … End plugs: Composite vs wood, mixing brands, etc. 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. Join the discussion! Composite fences are made of a mixture of plastic and real wood to create an eco-friendly alternative to standard fencing. And different types of decking boards can require very different levels of maintenance. Decking requires significant ongoing maintenance over its life to keep it in good condition. May 9, 2017 . Cons. When you look at all Trex has to offer, wood decking begins to feel like signing up for a second job. A cedar wood deck will cost $30 or more per square foot. Manufacturers may use polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene or polypropylene. Composite deckboards offer a number of great benefits over traditional wood decking. Composite decking may have grown in popularity over the past decade, but it’s still considered a specialty product by many retailers. Wood fencing had few market competitors until fairly recently, but wood composites have offered an appealing alternative. High-end composites, (again, like the ones used by NewTechWood), come fully capped, meaning that they have a protective layer around all four sides. On average, a pressure-treated wood deck will cost between $15 to $25 per square foot including installation. Wood is the original and most common choice for decking. Composite Wood Decking and Other Wood Deck Alternatives. Composite decking is a combination of sawdust and some kind of plastic. In this article we’ll break down the pros and cons of a concrete patio vs. a wood deck vs. a composite deck. Why MoistureShield. The main reason people choose wood is for the initial cost savings. Standard wood decks and composite decks have a similar impact on the environment. If you really enjoy the natural look of wood, composite decking probably isn’t for you. Simply put, our composite deck boards won’t warp, rot, or weather like wood does. Whilst composites share a lot of similar characteristics with timber, they differ in many ways. Features. 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