——Kelaidecking
IS COMPOSITE DECKING WORTH IT?
To decide if composite decking is worth it, first you must determine what it is you want from a deck.Composite deck boards are low-maintenance, low-slip, insect and fade-resistant and should not fade, warp, splinter or rot – ensuring your deck boards will stay looking high-quality for many years to come. All you need to do is choose the color or finish, install, sit back and relax.
If you are looking to add a composite deck to your property, you will want to know if this kind of deck material is really worth it – does it have the same or any additional benefits as traditional timber? Will it bring added investment to your garden?
Composite decking offers a vast amount of beneficial properties when compared to other traditional decking materials on the market, these include:
- Less maintenance – Composite decks do not require regular sanding, painting, sealing or varnishing as wood or lumber decking would.
- UV resistant – Composite wood-plastic boards have an increased resistance to fading when exposed to UV in comparison to natural wood decks.
- Low-slip – When installed with the narrow groove side up, composite boards have a lower slip risk than treated lumber boards.
- Low absorption rate – whilst composite wood boards are not waterproof, they absorb less water than a traditional deck board or wood products would.
- Composite decking is stain, and scratch-resistant – keeping your garden deck looking brand new for years to come.
- Composite products are rot, splinter and warp-resistant.
- Composite decking products are available in a range of colors, from lightly colored deck boards to darker, more contemporary finishes.
LONGEVITY: YOUR DECKING WILL LAST
Unlike natural pressure-treated wood decking, composite deck boards are able to withstand more severe changes in weather conditions. The composite material of the boards can handle higher levels of UV exposure without fading, are mold-resistant in wet weather conditions, and do not expand and contract as much as wood decks would in cold climates – all without requiring any additional treatment or added protection.
The plastic composite material that makes up the boards also resistant to insect damage such as woodworm and beetles.
DURABILITY: LESS MAINTENANCE
One of the main benefits to owning a composite outdoor deck is the low-maintenance properties of the boards, allowing you more time to sit back and relax in your garden rather than staining, treating, sanding or painting your decking year in and year out.
Stained, natural, and pressure-treated pine decks require regular maintenance to ensure the natural wood retains its high-quality look, but even with this – they are still susceptible to cracking, splintering, rotting, and warping as time goes by, which can be dangerous especially to homes with small children and animals.
STYLE & COLOR: CREATE STYLISH OUTDOOR SPACES
One of the plastic-wood Composite Decking compared to wood deck products is the wide range of colors they are available in. Composite Decking comes in a variety of eight colors in either a Wood Grain or Original design, providing customers with a high level of both flexibility and choice when it comes to styling their outdoor space.
ECO-FRIENDLY: THE GREEN CHOICE
For some, the sustainability of their purchases and choice of materials is important to them for environmental reasons. Composite Deck Boards are made with 100% recycled materials, made up of 60% hardwood fibers alongside 40% recycled plastics. This not only makes Composite Boards a more sustainable choice – but the wood-plastic composition makes for greater durability within their structure when compared to other natural lumber materials.
The low-maintenance properties of composite materials mean products require no regular staining or varnishing, therefore not releasing harsh toxins into the environment during annual maintenance.
PRICE: UP-FRONT COST IS HIGHER
Composite is not the cheapest decking material available on the market, it is generally more expensive than its wood decking counterparts due to the man-hours and recycled materials needed to produce a high-quality product. Manufacturers of composite decking often have increased overheads compared to wood or treated lumber deck suppliers.
However, the additional benefits of composite materials make up for the initial financial outlay of a composite deck. The product may be slightly more expensive, but its range of benefits including low maintenance, fade, scratch, and insect resistance far outweighs cheaper wooden decking boards in the long run.
PROPERTY VALUE: MATERIAL MAKES NO DIFFERENCE
Decking can help increase the property value of your home, as it extends a buyer’s perception of the amount of living space your house has to offer.
Unfortunately, it is the actual deck that could add value to your property, not necessarily the material it’s made from. The benefits of composite decking are a highlight for the homeowner, however, this shouldn’t have an overall impact on the property price as an added investment.
PERMANENT COLORS: NO REPAINTING
When it is time for your to consider the color for your composite deck, it needs to be a choice you are 100% happy with, as once installed – the color cannot easily be changed. Composite products are permanently colored to help prevent fading and reduce maintenance. Darker colors such as grey, browns, and blacks may not be easy to modify if you’re wanting a different color down the line.
Composite decking colors can be altered slightly with sun bleaching, or by applying certain harsh chemicals – although this is not recommended.
FADING: DARKER COMPOSITE COLORS CAN FADE OVER TIME
Like anything which is exposed to the elements 24 hours a day for several years, some fading of colors is unavoidable. The most notable fading will come from the darker shades of composite materials.This could be encouraged by a number of factors, including UV rays, weathering, high footfall, sun lotions or other chemicals being spitted on the deck.
The higher the quality of the material, the less likely the boards are to fade. Composite Decking has built in UV-resistant properties to help prevent fading over time.
LOOK: CAN LACK THE REAL WOOD LOOK
One of the composite decking can also be seen as a con – which is the real wood look of the boards. While composite decking products have been designed to reflect the look and feel of authentic wood, as with most things man-made – this cannot be achieved entirely.
Choose your favorite decking boards.
