Four Ways Composite Decks Are Worth The Cost

18 October 2017
 Categories: Home & Garden, Blog

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When the time comes to add a deck to your home, you have your choice of materials. Many people stick with natural wood since it tends to be the most affordable choice. But although composite decking costs more, it actually offers a lot of benefits that make it well worth the higher cost. Here's a look at four of those benefits.

Composite decking does not require staining or painting.

Staining a wooden deck is quite a chore, and it's a messy one. Painting the deck or applying waterproofing agents is equally taxing. With composite, unlike with wood, you never have to apply paint or stain to the surface. If you decide you no longer like the color of your composite deck, you can certainly apply paint to change its color. But this is an elective process rather than a necessity for maintenance. Color generally extends fully through the composite planks, so they won't chip or develop discolored patches like wood planks.

Composite decking won't warp.

Composite is made from a combination of wood fibers and concrete. As a result, it has a very wood-like look, but the concrete keeps the wood fibers from absorbing any moisture like they would if they were a part of a natural wood plank. This means your composite deck boards won't warp, even when exposed to fluctuating moisture levels next to a pool or during a humid summer. The lack of warping means you don't have to do as many repairs or worry about tripping over the bent edge of a deck board.

Composite is an eco-friendly choice.

If you choose wood decking, new trees need to be knocked down in order to create your deck material. Composite decking, on the other hand, is largely made from the wood fibers that are left behind as waste when lumber is milled. So, by choosing composite, you are keeping waste out of landfills and also reducing the number of trees that must be harvested. That's a win-win for the environment.

Termites and wood bees won't bother composite decking.

Termites can destroy a wooden deck in months, and even a wood bee can weaken various planks by building nests inside of them. Composite decking, however, is not appealing to these common wood pests. This means you won't have to treat it with insecticides, call an exterminator, or worry that you'll be stung when you spend time on your deck.