Choosing the right composite decking installers and the right materials for your deck is the right thing to do if you want to install a high-quality deck. You can simplify your shopping for decking by weighing the importance of key issues, among them sunlight, budget, building codes, moisture and the cost of miscellaneous.
Options for composite decks
Composite lumber decking is an excellent low maintenance alternative to wood. The industry is some pains early on, but decking materials continue to improve in quality and the number of quality composite materials on the market has increased significantly over the years. Now, there are over 50 composite deck products available.
You will find plastic lumber and cellular PVC decking that installs the same as composite. We will focus on composite boards in this article. However, most of this information also applies to plastic and PVC. The biggest frustration you will encounter is selecting the best composite material for your deck among all the colours, styles, and brands available on the market. Read this article to narrow down your options and make your shopping easier.
Are you working on a tight budget?
You can reduce the cost of installing your deck by installing wood rather than installing a composite railing. However, wood will require more maintenance than composite. Composite decking can cost up to $7 per square foot. Most home centres and lumberyards stock one or two brands of composite and can deliver other composite decking materials on special orders.
Most brands of the basic materials are similar and will do fine. The differences come down to the colours, design, mix of wood and plastic, texture and installation systems.
If you are okay with a limited colour palette, a simple grain pattern or a combed finish, you will find a lot of low maintenance products to meet your needs.
Will your deck be exposed to the hot sun?
Dense and dark coloured decking boards can heat up when exposed to the hot sun rays. If you are sitting on the deck, the reflected heat can make you burn and even cause sunburns to your skin. You should get samples for your composite deck in different colours and test them on the sun. If they are too hot, you should consider lighter colours that reflect more heat than they absorb.
Do you want a wood look?
High-end composites have superior grain that makes them assume the feel and appearance of wood. Some of the most expensive brands on the market feature individual grain variations and subtle shadings so that no one board is a replica of another. Some deck board manufacturers buff each board to remove any plastic sheen.
How wet will the deck get
Composites with a smooth texture can be very slippery. If your composite decking installers are installing your deck near a pool or if ice is an issue in your place, and your deck provides the main entry to your house, you should choose a style that has a pronounced texture.
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