Deciding how to build a deck used to be a lot easier at one time. Back then wood was the only material that was used to make decks. However, today a wide variety of decking materials are available, some of which are not even wood. When it comes to wooden decks, whether they are made of cedar, redwood or treated pine, the need for regular care and maintenance is a common denominator. Some homeowners have to annually sand, stain and reseal their wooden deck.
In recent years, some alternatives have because of the increasing demands for a lower-maintenance option. Apart from aluminum and vinyl, now even plastic is being used to build decks. However, it is composite decking that has brought the biggest change in the industry of deck-building materials. This deck-building material is usually made from a combination of various materials, such as plastic and wood, which are processed so that the material gets the appearance of wood. Both the wood, which comprises of byproducts from the lumber industry like chips, sawdust and wood fiber, and the plastic, can be made of recycled or virgin material.
The components are mixed by manufacturers, often a pigment and preservative is added. Board-shaped lengths are formed by heating the mixture, which are then cooled. This is why unlike wood; a board of composite decking that formed this way is much heavier even though it may not be as strong. However, composite deck-building material tends to resist rot, does not give people splinters, does not have to be painted, sealed and/or stained and does not warp. After being installed, the color of composite decks is prone to fade. So sweeping the deck clean, immediately attending to stains and hosing the deck down, then scrubbing it with soap and water twice a year is recommended.
Types Of Composite Decking
One of the major problems faced when building a deck is what type of material to choose. Fortunately, when it comes to composite, there are only two types to choose from, namely hollow and solid. Hollow composite deck-building material has a more man-made appearance while solid composite deck-building material is heavier and looks more like wood. Hollow composite does not contract and expand too much while temperature fluctuations can cause solid composite to contract and expand more because it has a greater mass. Solid composite has superior strength and that is why it is more popular, while hollow composite is more prone to damage.
No matter which type of composite decking is used, it is important to treat it with an antifungal chemical and preservative. If composite deck-building material is not treated and left to the exposure of the elements, rotting can occur over time even in composite. The rotting process is accelerated by excessive moisture. Even though plastic is combined in with the wood fibers it can still rot if not properly taken care of, although the maintenance is minimal. Manufacturers of composite deck-building material have started to mix the preservative during the manufacturing process and it can remain active for over 20 years, depending on the preservative used.
Composite deck-building material may have its own advantages and a few drawbacks; however, when excessive maintenance is a concern, opting for composite decking can ease things for the homeowner.