Luckily, composite decking tends to be far ... water-resistant solution for your hot tub surround or poolside area, capped composite decking from TimberTech is the ultimate solution that won't leave your deck in hot water. Because with a Trex deck you can’t sand or refinish the deck. A 25-year fade and stain warranty covers all capped composite decking offered through Trex vs Timbertech’s 30-year warranty. Common complaints from homeowners include their composite decking board swelling, shifting, warping, and shrinking. Below are some of the issues that crop up most often. Instead, you can work to prevent problems with decking and the associated trouble at the start by using the right materials. Even pressure treated wood absorbs water and expands. The only way to combat this with wood is to choose a finish that specifically resists UV radiation, though even these finishes stop working after a while. Composite lumber is any man-made material composed of a mix of wood fibers, plastics, binders, and adhesives. There are other characteristics of composite decking that limit its usability. Builders and homeowners share common concerns about composite decking. Composite decking doesn’t become food for bugs, so you can leave the plants near the deck if you use it. Decks are amazing, and many people want one on their house. Composite Decking Problems for the Boardwalk Ipe boardwalk at Disney World. The uncapped composite decking fades in colour while wood eventually turn grey if not properly treated. Composite decking is no longer a new product and many manufacturers have remedied the initial problems and concerns. Capped composite decking has come a long way from earlier, uncapped options. If, on the other hand, you have capped composite decking, you don’t need to worry about any of these common problems with decking. The uncapped composite decking fades in colour while wood eventually turn grey if not properly treated. The above problems with decking can take lots of time and money to correct. However, the capping surface of many older materials was made out of shiny, hard plastic that lacked traction. Mold In comparison to PT wood, composite decking does have advantages. Composite decking is typically made of more plastic than wood fibers, leaving the surface fairly soft. Forget staining and you can spray off any spots with a power washer or normal soap and water. Warping and splinter resistant After just a few years in the harsh Australian weather, traditional timber decking can often warp or spinter. Fortunately, many, if not most, of the problems with decking and other considerations on this list can be avoided if you pick capped composite decking with a long stain and fade warranty. We will only send you awesome stuff!Privacy Policy. Composite decking is made up of a blend of wood particles and plastic materials to form a deck board, then some are capped with a synthetic material to help keep moisture out. Composite decking also isn’t as strong as solid wood, which is evident in that smaller joist spacing is required for the deck’s structure. Despite composite having texture, it does little to provide solid footing around pools or swimming docks. Composite decking, which is made from thermoplastic resins and wood, doesn’t invite fungi, since it can’t eat plastic. NexGEN Decking offers a way to prevent these common problems. All it needs is oxygen, to have a moisture content above 28%, and to be in the right temperature range (which is wide, from 4 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius), and fungi will start making a meal of your deck. Similarly to composite, it requires no surface treatments and only basic cleaning. Capped composite decking, on the other hand, is easier to maintain. You will also have to reapply the sealant or stain once a year, which will include lightly sanding the deck surfaces with 80-grit sandpaper before applying. What’s the Difference Between Homeowners Insurance and Personal Liability Insurance? Your email address will not be published. Staining is a major problem with older model Trex decking and a huge issue with older composite decking products in general. Last, but not least, modified wood ages beautifully (even becoming a silvery-grey) and rarely splinters. Building one that meets your particular situation, however, requires planning and appreciating the problems with decking that can arise. They are engineered for use on the ground or in the water, but Voyage deck boards feature textured embossed for enhanced traction. Here are the five main problems associated with composites that you must be aware of before you invest thousands into your new deck or patio. Your source for the latest products and trends within the architecture, construction, interior design, and building materials industry. It won’t rot, so you won’t have to inspect for that either. © Innovative Building Material | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy. DuraLife Decking Capped Composite Decking DuraLife decking is designed to stand up to the harshest weather conditions. Patio furniture, BBQ grills, kids toys, and even the family dog’s nails can all leave gouges in the composite decking. Ultradeck composite material is equipped with Anti-UV inhibitors to combat fading in sunlight. Composite decking material uses a combination of plastic and wood fibers. New model Trex decking with capped design don’t have staining problems like the older products do according to Trex. After all, no matter how you initially you make your deck, it can crumble well inside of a decade if it isn’t properly cared for. Second Generation Capped Composites: Adding a rigid capping material to the outside surface of composite decking goes a long way toward keeping excess moisture out of the decking which makes them less slippery. Common complaints from homeowners include their composite decking board swelling, shifting, warping, and shrinking. This movement causes boards to bend out of position, slowly working free of nails and other boards. If your wood deck got scratched, it can be sanded down. Today the m This solves some problems, but other problems occur. You will also have to be very quick to replace anything that is rotting so that you don’t provide a meal for the bugs. Yakima Decking Solid Board 7/8" x 5 3/8" x 16' Composite Decking ... Shop Solid Board 7/8 x 5 3/8 x 16' Composite Decking in Gray at Wayfair. In reality, composite decking is prone to fading, especially when it’s exposed to the elements and sun. You will have to keep plants trimmed back from it to slow mould and rot and to make it harder for pests to climb on your deck. While a hardwood deck can be constructed with joists 16′ apart, most composite deck joists must be built 12′ or less apart to prevent sagging. Modified wood is also non-toxic to the environment and to people. One example is the slipperiness of composite decking when it’s wet. It is by far the hardest cap in the business. Check out some composite decks that have grown mold, mildew, algae. Uncapped decking is the more cost-effective choice, but it is also more vulnerable to staining and mold growth if not carefully maintained. Contact us to kick things off. In this way, composite decking can be fairly unpredictable, even within boards on the same deck. Termites and carpenter ants are big fans of wood. Plastic--capped … When you make the plans for your deck, you will want to take into consideration how much time and effort you are willing to invest in maintaining the appearance and structural integrity of your deck. If a stain occurs and … You can’t simply start slapping decking materials together, or you will wind up with an uneven mess on your hands. You will have to take the following points into consideration to do this. Insects, rodents, and other wildlife will also not be attracted to your modified wood deck. Hollow composite decking is notoriously short-lived, often bowing and cracking within a few months of purchase; however, TimberTech's solid composite decking is far sturdier, which is why we offer a 25 year residential warranty with all of our deck boards. The newer technologies come in a multitude of colors, grain patterns and thicknesses. Man-made decking materials have developed greatly since the late 90s with the introduction of Composite Decking. That means, when you choose TimberTech® capped composite or capped polymer decking, you save on long-term costs, time, and stress. Dreaded Australian UV rays cause the surface fibres to decay, making their pretty exteriors loose their lustre. Staining Problems With Trex Decking. Capped vs. Uncapped. Composite decking doesn’t require sealant, so you can skip the sanding and finishing. This isn’t an option with composite. Worse yet, gouges and scratches on composite decking can’t be fixed, unless you completely replace the board. The cycle of wet/dry also causes the grain to rise, cracking finishes and letting in more moisture. Anything from the tannins of a few fallen leaves on the surface to an additionally spilled glass of wine or splotch of ketchup can leave stains. Half-capped exterior decking materials expose the lower half of the boards to humidity. Nooks and crannies on wooden decks can hide rot until it is too late. 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