As homeowners discover the benefits of wood-composite decking over wood, many quickly realize that they would rather spend time enjoying their decks rather than maintaining them – a top headache for wood deck owners. Long the go-to material for building decks, porches and other outdoor living spaces, wood is increasingly being replaced by high-performance composite decking as the material of choice among professional contractors and homeowners alike.
Here are five key advantages that composite decking has over wood:
Superior Durability
Traditional wood decks can be beautiful, but unfortunately they don’t stay that way for very long. Wet springs, blistering summers and frigid winters can quickly take their toll, leaving some wood decks faded, splintered and warped. Wood also attracts insects which can cause extensive structural damage. Over time, this rotting and splitting can pose safety hazards ranging from splinters to deterioration and deck collapse.
Composite decking, on the other hand, is engineered for maximum durability. It resists fading, staining, scratching and mould and won’t rot, crack or warp, regardless of harsh weather conditions or daily wear and tear. It’s also insect-proof and splinter-free, making it safer and more comfortable for families with kids and pets.
Low Maintenance
Any wood deck – be it pressure-treated lumber, ipe, redwood or cedar – requires extensive upkeep to maintain and protect. Seasonal sanding and sealing are a must to fend off the natural rotting and splitting that come with wood. Wood also fades easily, and requires regular painting and staining to maintain aesthetics.
With high-performance composite decking, you never need to worry about sanding, staining or painting. Just an occasional soap-and-water cleaning is all that’s needed to maintain superior stability and beauty for decades. Trex decking even comes with a 25-year Fade and Stain Warranty, ensuring that it will continue to look and perform as well over time as the first day it was installed.
Aesthetics
Today’s composite decking looks and feels more natural than ever before. Colour options range from deep earth tones to spicy reds and pristine greys, including tropically-inspired boards that feature the distinct streaked look of exotic hardwoods. With Trex, you can also find a wide selection of accessories, such as railings, stairs, gates, pergolas and furniture, to create a customized outdoor space that reflects your own style.
Eco-Friendly or Environmentally Friendly
Composite decking provides the look and feel of real wood, but without the environmental impact. The entire Trex decking portfolio, for example, is manufactured using more than 95 percent recycled content, including reclaimed industrial wood scraps and recycled plastic from common items such as shopping bags, newspaper sleeves and shrink wrap. In fact, Trex keeps more than 400 million pounds of plastic and wood scrap out of landfills each year and has never felled a tree in the making of its products.
Building with wood, on the other hand, contributes directly to deforestation.
Value
Many people are surprised to learn that wood decking can be more expensive than composite in the long run. Although the initial cost of pressure-treated lumber is less, when you factor in the cost of ongoing maintenance required with a wood deck, a composite deck can end up paying for itself in well under 10 years.
There also is the added time and cost involved in repairing and replacing wood deck boards that will inevitably warp and splinter over time – even if they are well-maintained.
Consider all of the undeniable advantages that composite decking offers, the question really is why would anyone build a deck with timber anymore?
To learn more about choosing Trex over wood, watch our video below and click here to learn more.
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