Turning Houses Into Homes: A Home and Garden Blog

Composite Decking: An Introduction For Curious Homeowners

Whether you are planning to build an entirely new deck or just give the one you have now a face-lift, the idea of composite decking is bound to come up. While many homeowners go with wood for their decking, modern innovations in composite wood types have evolved enough that composite decking is a serious contender. Yet, a lot of homeowners are still a bit unfamiliar with composite decking. If this is you, you are bound to have questions. Take a quick look at some of the most common questions about composite decking and the answers you will want to know. 

What exactly is composite decking?

Composite decking looks a lot like wood, but it is actually a man-made formulation of different ingredients that are milled, pressed, and treated to look like natural wood decking boards. Most composite decking is made up of recycled plastics and wood fibers. However, composite decking can range in construction according to the manufacturer and may contain plant fibers, metal, and other elements. 

What are the advantages of composite decking over natural wood?

Composite decking is one of the most popular decking material choices for a handful of reasons. Some of the most notable advantages of using composite decking instead of natural wood include:

  • it boasts a longer lifespan than wood
  • it is considered a more environmentally-friendly option because it is made from recycled materials, whereas wood is not
  • it is generally easier to maintain than wood
  • it is less prone to warping and bowing from age
  • it it less sensitive to sun and moisture exposure than wood

Because composite decking has so many attractive qualities, it does make a logical choice over wood for many homeowners. 

Is composite decking easy to maintain?

You may know from experience that if you have a wood deck, it will involve a fair amount of maintenance through the years. You may be left having to use sealant on the wooden boards or even deal with things like mildew, rot, or pests. Composite decking is far easier to maintain because it is made up of synthetic materials and wood particles. The blended composition has a higher resiliency to the elements, which means less maintenance on your part. 

In the end, composite decking can be an excellent choice for a lot of reasons. If you would like to know more about composite decking, contact a decking company today for more information.


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