Today more and more homeowners pick composite as the material of choice for their new deck or deck renovation project. If you are planning to refurbish an existing deck made from lumber, it is high time you choose a more environment friendly and low maintenance material. What is composite decking? This is actually a combination of plastic and wood fiber which is used to create planks. The end product of these combined materials offers low maintenance with longer life span compared with wood decking.
If you want a family friendly deck material which is safe for kid’s bare feet, composite should be your choice. Splintering is often not a problem with composite decking. This is because of the smooth surface each plank offers. A lot of composites used in decks are made from recycled materials. This is especially important considering the growing concern to save mother earth.
The harsh and changeable weather are challenges which many homeowners face specifically when it comes to keeping the integrity of their home’s outdoor structures including decks. However, with composite decking you can expect longer lifespan, better resistance against the elements of nature, and lower maintenance cost. Unlike wood decking, this only requires occasional cleaning therefore saving you time, money, and energy.
There are two types of composite decking to choose from. These are the hollow and solid composites. If you want the feel and look of real wood, you might want to opt for the solid type. Because of the greater mass which comes with solid decking, expect to see several contraction and expansion of the product whenever there are changes in temperature. The other type looks more like man-made. Unlike solid decking the hollow type doesn’t react much to temperature changes because of the less amount of mass in every plank. Because hollow decking is less dense you will encounter greater chances of damage during installation. That is why extra care should be given when installing hollow type of decking.
All types of composite decking require treatment. Although this type of decking is a combination of wood fibers and plastic, decaying is still inevitable if no treatment is provided. Preservatives and anti-fungal chemical are used to minimize the rotting of materials. Moisture causes the acceleration of the rotting process. Without treatment you can expect the rotting to speed up and can cause serious damage problems.
Finally, if you want the strength and beauty of wood plus the many advantages of plastic, consider using composite decking. With less maintenance and better resistance to common wood problems, this type of decking will provide you longer years of service at low cost.
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