Adding an outdoor deck is a great way to add usable space to your home. People usually use decks to entertain guests or to enjoy themselves with an outdoor barbecue on the weekends.

Traditionally, clients and builders used hardwood materials to build decks. This is because it was more durable, termite-resistant, and withstood the weather changes better than softwood did. That being said, hardwood still required a lot of maintenance and was also more expensive to create and install in the first place.

To solve this problem, manufacturers came up with composite and PVC decks, which provide significant advantages over hardwood.

 

What is Composite decking made of?

Composite stands for Polyvinyl Chloride, a synthetic plastic material. It is used to manufacture everything, from water pipes and cable coatings to medical devices and automotive components. Every manufacturer uses its proprietary recipe of polymer blends, but all composite decks retain their advantages against hardwood and softwood!

Because it contains no organic material, composite and PVC decks are more resistant to moisture, mold, mildew, and other agents that would have been deadly against hardwood decks.

Why should I use composite decks instead of hardwood?

Composite decks came into widespread use because of its advantages against traditional materials. While wood materials are still used to make decks today, discerning buyers of today find composite decking to be a more worthy investment.

 

 

Here are three advantages of using composite for decking:

1. Composite decks don’t have to be painted or stained

Natural hardwood decking needs to be painted or stained every two to three years to prolong its lifespan. This is because paint and stains wear off due to natural wear and tear, while the exposure to different weather conditions exacerbates its decline. Painting or staining hardwood also enhances its aesthetic appeal, which was one of the main points of having a deck back in the day.If that sounds like a laborious and time-consuming task, that’s because it is. Depending on how big your deck is, you’ll shell out additional funds for paint or staining materials and labour.

On the other hand, composite decks will retain its colours throughout its whole lifespan. Instead of painting over it or staining, you likely only need some soap, water, and a mop to restore composite decking to its full glory.

 

 

2. Composite decks are weather resistant

One of the most significant drawbacks with hardwood is the fact that it is an organic and porous material that is vulnerable to natural decomposition agents, like mould and mildew. It is also susceptible to changing weather patterns! Hardwood decks typically warp during the summer and shrink during the winter, resulting in cracking and flaking over time.

Composite decks, on the other hand, don’t have this problem, as they are synthetic and non-porous materials.

 

 

3. Composite decks are more durable

Outdoor decks receive a lot of action. Besides being exposed to the elements, hardwood decks will develop scratches as you spend more time on the deck, entertaining guests, or cooking food. Moisture from food spills can also seep in the wood, result in discoloration and eventual deterioration.

Because of their synthetic nature, Composite and PVC decks are more scratch-proof and impervious to moisture. If someone spills their drink, you can simply wipe it down and expect no further damage!

 

Conclusion

Composite decks are not only superior to hardwoods in terms of longevity and durability. These are also an economical choice for families everywhere! Because it is made from synthetic materials, factories can churn out synthetic decking materials in a relatively short amount of time.

This contrasts with the amount of time invested beginning with growing trees to full maturity, cutting them down, and processing it for use in deck construction. All in all, this makes Composite decks the economical, practical, and environmentally-friendly choice!

If this sounds interesting we urge you to take a look at the decking solutions Fiberon has to offer.

Want to read about the different composite decking options, we recommend this in-depth article that compares the different types.

Not convinced what material to choose? Be sure to check out more decking blog postings to better know your options.

Are you looking for a provider of building supplies in the Coquitlam area to provide you with Composite decking? POCO Building Supplies offers top-notch decking materials, from premium exotic hardwoods to low maintenance and high-performance Composite decking. As your top source of construction materials and services, we also do cost-estimates, deliveries, paint-matching, and more.

Feel free to reach out through the Contact Us page if you have any questions