Composite Decking Vs Wood Decking

What Is Composite Decking Made Of?

It’s only available to the biggest and best deck companies in the country. I assume no one in the form has to ability to buy Vekadeck or else I’d see it mentioned. There’s probably 1-2 companies per state that can carry it.

Keep Composite Decking Dry Especially During Winter

This will protect the timber against fungal attack. Both softwoods and hardwoods can be oiled to prevent the timber from weathering.

Pine is a very popular choice of timber for softwood decking, and more sustainably-sourced hardwoods are available too. Even composite decking fades in colour after about three months and will need painting or staining with specialist composite paint to restore its original colour. Plastic or plastic composite lumber is a low-maintenance and higher-priced alternative to pressure-treated wood. This deck in Highlands, Washington, is built with composite planks and railings made from recycled plastic and oak sawdust. For all the lounging done on them, wood decks require a lot of work to maintain. When paint or stain fades and chalks because of the weather, they need to be recoated.

Need Ideas To Make Deck Stairs Less Slippery

There are of course traits of one that is better than the other. But in terms of slip resistance, in my opinion, composite decking would be a better choice. There are also anti-slip inserts that can easily be installed in between the grooves of the composite decking. They are less visible than anti-slip strips and become almost part of the decking but they also increase the traction of the surface and much safer to walk on.

The recently settled legal matter focused on the propensity of the first generation, uncapped Trex boards to grow mold, mildew, and discolor over time. If your deck is made of Trex composite material that was manufactured after 2012 and you don’t want to void your warranty, then you’ve got two options, each of which has its downside. First, you could use heavy rubber mats, like the ones used in commercial kitchens, in the most highly trafficked areas. Second, you could apply our Grit Tape to the most slippery areas. Grit tape will definitely improve traction, but it’s obviously going to be very visible because it is black. Both are imperfect solutions, but they just might save a slip or fall that sends a loved one to the hospital. I'm a pastor at a church in WI and we installed this composite material on a brand new wheelchair/handicap accessible ramp.

When I contacted Austim they were very helpful, had the timber in stock and I was on my was in 20 minutes. The wood was very good quality and has really finished up beautifully. Stuart went out of his way to make sure we got the product we wanted. He made suggestions on possible constructions and timbers suitable. The oil wet ramp test involves two testers walking up and down a ramp until they find the point of slip. The slope of the ramp is increased incrementally until the testing personnel slip, and their scores are averaged.

Costs vary upwards but can start out cheaper than traditional wood. So glad we went with it instead of bothering with composite. Wahoo Decks has great products and have always been a pleasure to work with. Do your research to anyone who’s reading and I hope this helps. Please don’t make an expensive mistake and listen to the contractor whos limited to these composite products.

The key to success is to use the proper product for what you are trying to do. The big box stores sell mid level products — “it’s the best we sell” . Cellular PVC decking with an ASA capstock is the best decking in the entire vinyl deck industry. Vekadeck is the best vinyl deck board in the entire industry.

There are a multitude of problems with composite decking that show up all too often to be just a stray issue for a hard to please homeowner. The accounts of issues are repeated with a frightening regularity and sameness throughout the threads of complaints. Below are some of the issues that crop up most often. TimberTech®, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Wilmington OH, is a leading manufacturer. They are involved in research, development and marketing of long lasting composite, wood-plastic, and PVC decking, railing and fencing solutions.

Preventing & Treating A Slippery Deck

• This, of course, wouldn’t be visually appealing but it would do its job of keeping the floor safe to walk on.
• When it rains or composite lumber is infiltrated by water, will pedestrians slip through the composite floor?
• There are also anti-slip rugs or mats you can buy and place over a bigger surface of your composite decking.
• Mildew can be scrubbed off with a deck cleaner or detergent that contains bleach.
• Plus, plastic decking can be thinner and lighter than wood or composite decking.
• You can probably do this on areas that constantly get wet, and has a tendency to get very slippery, such as near the edges of the pool.

Built-in moisture resistance – Where there's a pool, there's apt to be water – a lot of it. Unlike traditional lumber decking, using composite decking around pools can provide a smooth, clean surface for many years with little to no maintenance. or workplace, it’s time to invest in SlipDoctors’ Floor Grip. Increase the grip on your composite decking surfaces and avoid serious slips and falls today. Composite or conglomerate decking usually require a specific non-slip product to increase traction. This product shouldn’t harm the materials used in the boards or change the look of the surface.