Difference between composite decking and normal decking

Are you planning your outdoor space? I’m sure you’re faced with the dilemma of choosing materials. As an outdoor space that you can enjoy with your family and friends, you want it to be strong and durable and look beautiful. Building an outdoor deck is a very popular project because it can add more space to your house and also add value to your home. But choosing the right material for your outdoor space is not easy. Next, learn about the difference between a composite deck and normal decking. With this understanding, I believe you can make a better investment.

Traditional wood decking

For a long time in the past, homeowners had limited building material options other than traditional wood. Most construction was done with pressure-treated lumber made from cedar, redwood, or various wood presses. Over the years, natural wood has become popular as an affordable and familiar material. Until now, many buildings have used wood as the primary material. However, as the price of wood continues to soar, it is no longer affordable. As a result, more homeowners and installers are looking for a more durable and cost-effective material.

Composite decking

In the early 1990s, manufacturers introduced new composite materials. As an alternative to traditional wood decking. Unlike natural wood decking. The composite deck material is composed of synthetic and organic materials. Most composite decks are made from a mixture of recycled plastic and wood fibers and adhesives. The surface of composite decking is covered with a protective plastic layer. Replacing wood deck boards with composite is a very good choice. As technology evolves and advances. More and more homeowners are using composite decking as their building material of choice.

Why choose composite decking

In addition to the rapid increase in the price of wood, composite deck boards are chosen because of their many advantages. Unlike wood, it does not require a lot of post-maintenance. Something like sanding, staining, or painting. In addition, composite decking offers great durability, it does not easily crack, wear or rot. Most importantly, the composite deck lifespan is longer. If you install and maintain the deck properly, it can last more than 30 years. And you only need to clean the deck simply by using warm soapy water and a composite deck cleaning brush.

Difference between composite decking and normal decking

What is the best choice between composite decking and conventional decking? Next, we will discuss the differences between the two. And provide an analytical overview of the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Material composition

The main difference between composite deck boards and normal decking is the material used for composite decking. Which is made of a mixture of wood fiber and some recycled plastic. This contributes to the high durability, low maintenance, and long life of composite deck material. It can effectively prevent damage caused by rot, cracking, warping, and insects.

Traditional decking is mainly made of cedar, redwood, or some pressure-treated wood. There is no denying that natural woods do provide a more classic and natural look. However, natural wood requires a lot of post-maintenance and care to maintain the deck and some common problems cannot be avoided.

Durability

If you have children or pets in your home, composite decking is definitely a safer choice. Composite decking is extremely durable, and will not chip or warp easily. And is highly resistant to fading, staining, and moisture, even in extreme weather and environments. These properties allow it to be a quality choice for building outdoor spaces.

The difference is that traditional decking is susceptible to environmental factors. For example, moisture, light, and wind drying. Traditional decks require regular maintenance when used, including staining and sealing. Otherwise, your deck is susceptible to conditions such as cracking and rotting.

Maintenance

Composite deck boards require much less maintenance. In other words, you hardly need to spend time and money on maintenance. This makes composite decking materials a good choice for homeowners who want a durable deck but don’t want to spend a lot of effort. It requires no maintenance such as sanding, sealing, or staining. The only thing you need is to clean and sweep your composite decking boards regularly. In fact, cleaning can be done quickly with warm water and a composite deck cleaning brush. For some hard-to-handle dirt, it can be easily cleaned with a cleaner and hose.

It is important to note that traditional decks require time and money for you to maintain and care for them. Usually once every 2-5 years for full maintenance. You will need to sand the deck, and stain, and seal the deck on a regular basis. to ensure that your wood deck will look better for a long time and prevent deck rot and deterioration.

Cost

Compared to traditional decking, composite decking is of better quality. Which means it costs more than traditional decking. The exact price depends on the deck quality you choose, the manufacturer, and the deck size. But this does not mean that the higher the price the better the quality of the deck, different decks have different characteristics. To choose the right deck for you, you need to understand the environment in which the deck will be installed.

Composite deck boards are more expensive because of the cost of materials on the one hand and the cost of installation on the other. If you look for a professional installer to install the deck, you may have to pay about half of the labor cost. But installing the deck yourself can save you more on the initial cost. Although composite decking is more expensive, it does not require maintenance later on. You’ll pay for it quickly as time goes on.

Traditional decking is so popular because it is much cheaper. Even the most expensive cedar and redwood don’t cost as much as composite decking. But later on, you need to spend more money and effort on the maintenance and upkeep of the wood deck. As time goes on, you will need more frequent maintenance and the cost will keep increasing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, composite decking and traditional decking have their own advantages and disadvantages. composite decking is more durable and does not require a lot of maintenance. Traditional decking gives you a more classic and natural look and has a lower initial cost upfront. But it requires constant maintenance to keep the wood decking in good working order. In short, you still need to choose a more suitable material according to your installation environment to need.