One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make when designing your deck is the sort of decking material to select. Wood and composite deckings are two popular materials. Whether you intend to do the job yourself or employ a contractor, this article will provide some guidance on what factors to consider when selecting material for your deck.
The tremendous rise in popularity of composite decking begs the dilemma for prospective deck owners: choose wood or composite decking? Although each material has advantages and disadvantages, the advantages of composite materials appear to exceed the disadvantages. Today, we’ll look at composite decking vs. wood and see how this conflict plays out.
What wood possibilities are there?
Decking materials are available in a variety of wood types, including cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated pine. There are more luxury possibilities, such as hardwood species, and the most common ones are tiger wood, ipe, and mahogany. Here are some interesting facts about each species of wood.
Pressure Treated Wood
Press-treated wood is created by soaking it in chemicals and then putting it under pressure to allow the chemicals to permeate the entire wood. These compounds aid in the resistance to decay and insects.
- Press-treated wood, after the treatment, will have a green tint because of copper, a common element in the treatment.
- Because the chemicals used in the treatment are hazardous, you must wear respirators while sanding and cutting.
- Because of the ease of access to pine, from which it is often constructed, press-treated wood is widely available and reasonably priced.
Wood from Cedar
- Cedar wood is naturally insect and rot-resistant.
- It has a brilliant tone, lasts a long time, and is simple to work with.
Hardwood
- Hardwood, such as ipe and cumaru, is naturally rot and insect-resistant.
- Hardwood is difficult to work with due to its weight and density, and installation necessitates regular pre-drilling.
- Hardwood is exceedingly expensive, and hardwood resources are fast diminishing due to extensive deforestation.
What exactly is composite decking?
WPC material, also known as Wood-plastic Composite, was first launched in the late 1980s and is made of wood powder, plastic, and other performance-enhancing additives. It is now fast gaining popularity, and other manufacturers specializing in this industry have emerged, including Trex, TimberTech, COOWIN, and others. The majority of manufacturers provide a 25-year warranty.
Wood vs. composite decking
Many deck owners prefer wood decking because it is more familiar to them, and it is widely available and reasonably priced. However, they will face challenges including splinters, decay, and expensive maintenance costs.
Composite decking, on the other hand, maybe more expensive at initially, but it will save you money in the long run due to its low maintenance and great performance. Here’s a look at some of the most common comparisons between wood decking and composite decking.
Aesthetics of Composite vs. Wood
Despite the fact that composite decking is free of these issues, some people are concerned that it will not look as attractive as wood decking. The truth is that composite-making technology has evolved so far in recent years that composites with the rich, natural look and texture of wood are now readily available.
Indeed, early-generation composite decking looked unnatural and had a plastic feel to it, but that’s all in the past today.
Moisture Resistance: Composite vs. Wood
One significant disadvantage of wood decking is that it absorbs water. Wood will suffer from difficulties such as warping, splinters, cracking, and rotting if stains, sealers, and paint are not applied on a regular basis. Composite decking, on the other hand, is moisture resistant, allowing deck owners to install it in high-humidity situations.
Maintenance Differences Between Composite and Wood
Deck owners pay a significant maintenance price to paint, stain, and varnish wood decking on a regular basis in order to increase the longevity of the deck. Composite decking, on the other hand, requires little to no maintenance, saving you money over time.
Splinter-resistance of composite versus wood
In contrast to wood, which will inevitably splinter, composite decking is built of a unique blend of wood powder and plastic that will not splinter at all. This is critical because wood splinters can harm youngsters and pets with extremely sensitive feet.
Composite vs. Wood: Cost Effectiveness
Wood decking is the clear victor in terms of affordability. In most circumstances, wood decking has a lower starting cost than composite decking. However, deck owners will discover that the maintenance costs accumulate over time, and the whole cost will eventually outweigh the initial cost of composite decking.
Also, take in mind that wood prices vary depending on the kind of wood. Some wood species, such as ipe and tigerwood, are significantly more expensive than composite decking. Want to learn more about the cost-effectiveness of wood versus composites? More information can be found in this article.
Workability of Composite vs. Wood
Wood and composite materials are very simple to work with. They’re simple to cut and fasten with everyday tools. One advantage of composite materials is that they are easier to bend. Simply heat them to shape them into a curved shape.
Eco-Friendliness of Composite vs. Wood
Composite material is an eco-friendly material comprised of recycled wood powder and plastic that can be recycled after usage. Composite decking manufacturing repurposes tons of waste plastic and wood powder each year to provide us with a material that is environmentally friendly. Wood decking, on the other hand, contributes to deforestation due to its need for continuous logging.
