Previously dominated by woods like cedar, non-wood surface decking materials are becoming more common on residential decks. These items, frequently grouped under the term “composites,” are now familiar enough that almost all home improvement stores keep plenty of them on hand in addition to traditional cedar for outdoor construction. There may also be matching railing posts, balusters, and rails available.
Here are 10 things to remember when choosing composite decking for your home.
- Not All Synthetic Decking is Considered “Composite.”
PVS and plastic (HDPE—high-density polyethylene) are two older types of synthetic decking material. However, these are no longer widely utilised and are considered pretty dated. Solid composite decking is made from a blend of plastic or vinyl resins and organic remnants of wood, such as sawdust and recycled bamboo, and resins are combined in a unique variant.
- Composite Decking is Prohibited in Some Building Codes
Your local building code may forbid or restrict the use of non-wood “lumber” in the construction of decks. For instance, it might permit composites for surface decking but prohibit them for stair treads or railing components. Always check with your local building inspection office for information on the allowed materials for deck construction.
Although composites are rapidly becoming more popular for decks, always double-check. Additionally, use composite lumber with extreme caution when creating any support. There are currently some hybrid versions of framing lumber available, although few code areas permit its usage for structural, load-bearing purposes.
- Composite Wood Is More Than Just Decking
The majority of producers today provide a variety of goods, including rails and balusters for railings, stair treads and railing parts, post caps, latticework, and fascia boards. In contrast, the initial synthetic woods were decking planks to be laid on the surface of a deck.
As previously said, before constructing railings or stairways out of composite lumber, check the local codes.
- Composite Wood Is Often Expensive
The distinction between premium and more affordable composites has less to do with quality and more with design, colour, and texture. Always start with less expensive options, if they meet your design requirements.
- Products of a Higher Standard Resemble Wood More
The superior (and more costly) composites have a surprisingly lifelike texture that resembles wood. Some even feature different patterns and tones, so adjacent boards won’t reflect the same colour and design. This level of attention to detail has led some builders to select composite materials where formerly only fine cedar or redwood would do.
Although they can be challenging to clean, especially with a power washer, rough composite planks can trap dirt and grime. Additionally, composites are prone to mildew and algae stains, especially in moist, shaded areas.
- Composites May Be Slippery in Wet Conditions
Composite planks can become slick when wet, especially the smoother varieties with little to no texture. Using composites for stair treads or pool decks might be harmful; your local building department might even forbid it. Similar to how they can be exceedingly slick on foot in icy climates, composites.
Make sure to select a composite with a noticeable texture in these circumstances.
- Hidden Fasteners Can Be Used To Attach Composites
Most people use deck screws or nails to fasten composite decking boards to the joists below, much like hardwood planks. However, some solutions use tongue-and-groove attachments or covert metal clips if you prefer a cleaner appearance.
- Watch Out for Add-Ons
Some consumers overlook the numerous trim items and other extras that can significantly increase the cost of a composite deck. Most hybrid systems include skirting pieces, post caps, railing balusters and posts, and fascia boards that can dramatically increase the price in addition to hidden fasteners (if you utilise them).
Reserving the composite lumber for the surface decking and constructing the railings and other components out of more traditional cedar or other lumber are cheaper alternatives.
- Think about Special Ordering
A quick stroll through the neighbourhood’s big-box building centre reveals that most have two or three composite goods on the floor, typically in muted shades like grey, beige, or brown. However, if you decide on a particular order, a visit to the pro desk or design centre will reveal that there are quite a few more options. Take your time choosing the colours and textures you want because there are many composite material manufacturers, up from only around a few alternatives a few years ago.
- Composite Decking Gets Very Hot
After spending much money on a fancy designer deck, many homeowners are shocked to discover that composite decking may become so hot in the sun that it is uncomfortable to sit on and to challenge to walk on with bare feet.
When deciding on a composite, bring samples of different colours home and place them in the sun to gauge how much heat they absorb. Darker colours will absorb more heat than brighter ones. Unless you also build an overhead shading structure, composites are not ideal for a deck in climates with much direct sunlight.
Five Advantages of Composite Decking
Are you thinking about having a new deck constructed at your house? Undoubtedly, you have choices. The days of just being able to build a deck out of wood are long gone. Over the years, composite decks have become incredibly popular, ranking among the best options for decking materials. Wood is undoubtedly a staple and has its own merits, but they are difficult to match for the many advantages of composite decking, which include:
- Extraordinary Durability
A deck must be sturdy to be worth the money. Additionally, if it will be the site of frequent family gatherings, it must be extremely sturdy to support the weight of guests, furniture, and household animals. You can anticipate this from a composite deck because they are made of various materials for excellent strength and resistance to deterioration over time.
- Requires Little Maintenance
Composite decking requires less maintenance than wood decking because it won’t rot and degrade over time and doesn’t even require repainting or refinishing! To maintain it looking its best, you’ll only need to hose it down, or power wash it occasionally.
- Environmentally Friendly
Composite decks are made without causing any damage to trees! There is essentially no environmental impact because the bulk of them are produced from recycled or waste materials—especially when compared to wood decks, which need a fair quantity of lumber. This article meticulously explains the reasons why composite decking is more environmentally friendly.
- Additional Colour Options
Wood decks can be painted or stained in various colours, but they will probably need some touch-ups or new coats over time. In contrast, multiple colours and finishes can be created for composite decking, all of which will keep their colour.
- Absence of Splinters
You can comfortably stroll barefoot across composite decking without getting splinters! You, the kids, and your pets should be happy about this.
These exceptional advantages are among the main justifications for SGGoodWood’s decision to encourage installing Composite Decking for Singapore’s homeowners. Contact us immediately if you’re considering installing one of these stunning decks in your house.
