The Problems With Composite Decking

Do Composite Decks Get Hot?

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Last fall I had a new deck built with real wood decking. The wood is horrible, it is splitting, it splinters and we just hate it. There are a total of 7 series currently available from MoistureShield ranging from the premium MoistureShield Vision to the more affordable Essentials collection. My preference, though some people object to the incisions, is incised copper treated ground-contact rated hem-fir or similar western quality wood - NOT pine unless lodgepole. Can be retreated for longer life in green or brown, and stained to darker green or browns or blackish. Mine is 0.30 CCA hem-fir about 28 years old, was surface retreated at about 10 years in, and just now fading and needing retreatment, with harsh winters and wet summer environment. If his deck is on pressure treated wood joists it can be even worse as this wood is prone to being of different sizes and warping.

The Pros & Cons Of Different Types Of Decking

Install Composite Decking From Newtechwood

In my climate PT wood is a huge maintenance item - at least it is if you care what it looks like. I have had to sand the finish off of my decks 2-3 times in the lat 10 years in order to re-finish them. My plan is to have the builder screw down all of the boards to make it easier for me to replace them down the road. I will go with PT boards with the goal of keeping them for 5-7 years. By then, there should be more data on today's top selling composites as well as newer products . I can replace the deck boards with something else - if that becomes necessary.

Paver Patios Vs Composite Decks

You’ll also get more years between cleaning periods by sealing it off. If you choose not to seal the deck, you can expect to do a deep cleaning annually. Potential buyers love to see a deck in excellent condition.

Which Type Of Composite Decking Should I Pick?

Maintenance

Would you mind telling me more about the concrete deck option? I posted on the decks and porches forum, but no one seemed to have any information there on concrete . We barbecue , drink wine and otherwise actually USE our trex deck. Even though it’s not required, I highly suggest sealing it anyway.

The company’s Inspiration series provides consumers with a more natural feel thanks to a blended two-tone surface and deep texturing. MoistureShield Refine and MoistureShield Pro are sandwiched between the Vision and Infuse and priced accordingly. While all are quality products, your color options are limited and only open up with MoistureShield Advantage which is in the budget class. It’s an uncapped product, but you’ll get eight colors to choose from and multiple widths as well. The company also has Modernview which is ideal for decks that come in contact with water. We’re fans of any company that provides consumers with multiple decking options, and Fiberon does that better than anyone else. The company has seven different series to choose from including two products sold exclusively through Home Depot.

Moistureshield Decking

Hi Scott, we are getting bids from local home improvement contractors on building a 14 x 16’ deck. I went the same way, extruded aluminum and removed my TREX. There was nothing wrong with the Trex but it was not properly shielding the area below the deck from water penetration. Yes, it’s can be scratched with something that scratches but there is a touch-up kit that quickly repairs the surface. What is your opinion of the fiberglass decking in general. I am planning on running extra joists to make it 12 OC but a few bolts will require me to tweak two or three I have to add in.

I had the same misgivings about its rainforest origins as another poster, but it was just the best product for my needs. My original intention was to let it go gray, but now that I've seen how gorgeous it is, I'm probably going to take a stab at keeping it up, at least somewhat. I've lived here in Hawaii with PT decks for the past 14 years and there was absolutely no way I ever considered installing it in my new house. The upkeep is tremendous, and as someone already pointed out, unless all sides of the boards are properly sealed you still end up with horrendous mold, mildew and dry rot problems.

• There are pros and cons to both materials and plenty of options to choose from at the home improvement store.
• Composite decking vs. wood, which is better for your deck project?
• Additionally, we are proud to be a Certified TrexPro Deck Installer, creating decks and patios that are beautiful, affordable, and of the highest quality.
• In this article we’ll take look at composite decking vs. wood to help you save time and money and make the best decision.
• There are a number of different composite products on the market, and at AllPoint we only use top-quality materials and name brands.
• Whether you plan to DIY the deck yourself or hire a professional, it’s important to do your research before investing in any type of composite or wood products for your project.

Do your research to anyone who’s reading and I hope this helps. Please don’t make an expensive mistake and listen to the contractor whos limited to these composite products. There was a product called Clubhouse decking that was awesome. They ended up getting bought out to a company in Canada and downsized a lot. You cannot go to any lumber yard or store and order Veka. It’s only available to the biggest and best deck companies in the country. I assume no one in the form has to ability to buy Vekadeck or else I’d see it mentioned.

Some types of composite decking and fencing are wind and UV resistant. The final reason to add composite decking to your home is that it will significantly increase the value of your property.