Composite decking is fast gaining market share as a suitable alternative to traditional hardwood decking materials. So what is it exactly? Furthermore, why is it becoming so well-liked?
Composite decking is an artificial building material consisting of a combination of wood fiber and plastic. The composite boards require less maintenance than standard wood decking while yet seeming more authentic than plastic substitutes.
Advantages of Composite Wood Decking
One key advantage of composite decking over traditional wood decking is that it requires much less upkeep.
The boards become significantly more resilient and resistant to decay, moisture, and insect infestation due to the high amount of plastic in the material. A composite deck is slightly more expensive when first purchased, but it lasts for years without fading and requires little to no upkeep. Most of the time, komposittrall requires far less maintenance than traditional wood decking, allowing you to spend more time appreciating your surroundings instead of caring for them.
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Types of composite decking.
There are two types of composite decking.
- Uncapped boards
- Capped boards
Uncapped boards are long-lasting and strong. Uncapped boards are fewer. They do not offer the same level of stain and color fading protection as other fabrics. Because persistent tannins leach out of the panel after exposure to the environment. Also, it is implied that the boards can slightly fade in the first few months.
Capped composite boards are extremely resistant to fading and staining because of the exterior plastic covering that is applied to them.
In terms of configuration, composite boards come in both hollow and solid varieties. Compared to hollow boards, which often contain hollow chambers linked to the back of the plank, solid panels are more durable and weightier. You can install a composite deck the same as wood decking. They both have their own benefits and drawbacks.
Drawbacks of Composite wood decking
Before picking anything, thoroughly analyze all of the available possibilities. Despite the fact that composite decking typically has benefits, there are a few drawbacks that you need to be aware of.
Compared to raw wood, it weighs a lot more.
Due to the extensive use of recycled resources during manufacture, composite deck sometimes weighs more than real wood. As a result, you will need a stronger foundation to support the deck than you would if you had a hardwood plankgolv.
You may accidentally melt your deck
You must handle this material with the utmost care because it is composed of plastic. If you accidentally spill hot coal or oil while cooking on the barbeque, the plank floor might be harmed. Keep all other sources of heat as far away from the plank floor as you can. Make sure that the sun won’t be the main focal point on the plank floor before you start. Even though we all require a small amount of sunlight in our lives, you won’t be able to enjoy it while your plank floor is burning.
The initial outlay might be excessive
For some homeowners, the installation cost of composite deckings may be more than that of well-graded timber. However, as previously stated, the costs are minimized and in some cases even recovered over time due to the low annual maintenance costs associated with composite deck. You might want to go for hardwood if you’re worried that you won’t be able to afford the upfront expense.
Conclusion
With any luck, the details provided here will make it easier for you to comprehend the advantages of composite decking and how to use a composite decking calculator for installation and upkeep.
