Five Advantages That Make a Clear-Cut Case for
Composites
The decking industry projects that nearly 40 million decks
in North America are
more than 20 years old* – and likely showing their age. If
one of those decks
is yours, you may want to think twice before choosing wood
for your next deck.
In the time since these decks were built, the industry has
seen tremendous
advancements in engineering and the rapid rise of wood
alternatives that
outperform, outlast and “out-deck” their wood predecessors.
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. Designed to deliver incredible durability, easy
maintenance and lasting
beauty, composite decking offers all the beauty of wood
without the hassles of
continuous upkeep.
“Today’s homeowners want to spend their time enjoying their
outdoor living
spaces – rather than maintaining them,” explains Adam
Zambanini, vice president
of marketing for Trex, the world’s largest manufacturer of
wood-alternative
decking available locally at Moyer Lumber.
“High-performance composite
decking, like Trex, stands up to weather and day-to-day
wear, and resists
fading, stains, mold and scratching far better than wood.
It’s also made from
recycled content, which makes it an ideal choice for today’s
eco-conscious
consumers.”
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 is designed for maximum durability. It
resists fading,
staining, scratching and mold and won’t rot, crack or warp,
regardless of harsh
weather conditions or daily wear and tear. It’s 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, showing every spill and scuff it endures,
so regular
painting or staining is needed to maintain aesthetics.
Composite decking is ready whenever you want to use it. 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
Featuring high-definition wood grain patterns and rich,
saturated colors,
today’s composite decking looks and feels more natural than
ever before. Color
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.
In addition to the range of decking looks available,
homeowners also can find a
wide selection of composite accessories, such as railings,
stairs, gates,
pergolas and furniture, to complement and enhance the beauty
and safety of
their decks while creating a truly customized outdoor space.
Sustainability
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,
wiping out trees that local wildlife depend on for food and
shelter.
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.
Says Zambanini, “Considering all of the undeniable
advantages that composite
decking offers, the question really is, why would anyone
build a deck with wood
anymore?”