High-quality modern composite boards don’t become hotter than traditional wooden deck boards. Composite decking is no different. The colors you choose can help your composite deck stay cooler or warmer, helping keep you more comfortable while you’re enjoying it. One of the biggest complaints about composite decking is how hot it gets in the sun. Composite decking, from brands such as Trex and TimberTech, is made from a blend of recycled plastic (polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC) mixed with wood fibers (like wood chips or sawdust). The hard outer shell of encapsulated decking tends to feel substantially hotter to the touch. My understanding is that unlike "composite" which is really a mix of organic materials (wood flour or rice stalk) and plastic, the Azek is 100% synthetic/plastic. Oiling the underside of your deck boards before installing them can also help reduce moisture absorbing into your deck boards. You can browse all our lumber products here: https://www.advantagelumber.com/hardwood.htm. Average Costs For Composite Decking. Composite decking rose in popularity throughout the 1990s as consumers sought a more maintenance free alternative to traditional pressure treated wood decking. This method of sawing produces a plank where the tree’s growth rings are near, or totally perpendicular to the plank’s surface. I would prefer to have something that is low maintenance but still look good over time and can withstand the winters and summer heat/sun. You Might Love. It is designed to be as beautiful as wood but with more durability and less maintenance. I had a bad experience with composite in the past with fading, becoming super-hot and the boards softening in the heat; even when screwed down at 12". If you’re in a sunny local, minimum once a year, twice if you want the colour year round. Capped PVC tends to be hit or miss when it comes to copying the natural look of wood. A vinyl material, CertainTeed EverNew Decking. Virtually any decking . I used a gallon of West system epoxy and screws and some of the seams still split due to expansion. The author isn’t kidding about expansion, our summers are humid and winters dry, in order to save money, I decided to clad my pergola and gazebo posts. But I would rephrase the question to say instead: “With so many great choices of composite decking, is Trex or AZEK best for me?” Low-maintenance decking products have evolved and improved tremendously over the years. Photo by Don Penny/Time Inc. Digital Studio. Please advise. ; Easy to maintain (simply wash with soapy water). It's Pro Cell/Azek Deck (I think it was formerly Pro Cell and Azek just bought them out.). ... That feels good on a 65-degree day, but on a 90-degree day with a deck in full sun, you will want to wear flip flops. What Is the Best Deck Material? While early composite decks were very sensitive to temperature and did get notoriously hot, any new composite decking will be much more resistant to heat. Learn more about our Fade and Stain Warranty now. These hardwood decking species have shown to work in every climate from the dry dessert to hot and humid Florida all the way to cold and snow covered Buffalo, NY. If you're one of the millions of homeowners looking to renovate or rebuild your family's deck this spring or summer, take the time to learn more on the effortless beauty of low-maintenance composite and pvc deck boards. At Eagle Building Solutions, we understand this and give every decking project our all. This can also lead to faster degrading, rot and decay of building materials. Consider the size of your deck and the cost of the installation systems. At our store, selecting the best outdoor flooring material that will fit your installation project is easier than you think. MoistureShield composite decking is also proven to resist fading from sun exposure, so you can enjoy sunny days on your deck for years to come. Composite is a familiar term in the decking industry and likely something we’ve all heard of before. https://www.advantagelumber.com/hardwood.htm, Decreased expansion and contraction on the plank’s width, Twisting, cupping, and warping resistance, Chances of surface checking are significantly reduced. It's made of plastic and wood fiber and sometimes can be stained to change its color. If you’re local to dfw, come by and we’ll help you choose the right one for your needs. It’s the same with composite decking, regardless of manufacturer. Use the filters to find the boards … This is part of why proper gap spacing is necessary. Consumer Reports expects to wrap up the full testing in 2020. Issues With Composite Decking. Not only does the durable synthetic material resist warping, it also holds strong against rot and insect infestations. Just like the other, they also incorporate recycled materials in their composite mix. Btw it is the glue that broke, the wood did not break. These boards are then “capped” coated with a sturdy polymer coating. Constant rain and humidity will cause wood decking to expand, composite materials will also tend to swell in these climates. Trex markets its good, better, best products under three brand names: Enhance, Select and Transcend. Composite decking can be installed as a D.I.Y. It has the upscale look homeowners crave, has a legendary lifespan, and never needs stained or painted as wooden decks do. Gap spacing, adequate ground clearance, and good air flow around and underneath the boards all help with this. Many people believed that it was the end of all problems associated with deck materials. Many/most have warped. Here are a few companies whose products are trusted by LRJ Lumber: Options for Full Sun Composite Decking Fortress Decking. From tonal variations to solid shades that can match any taste, decor, and environment, homeowners have an assortment of decking colors to choose from. Today, composite decking comes in a variety of texturized grain patterns and rich variegated colors that replicate wood’s natural beauty. Your email address will not be published. With Trex decking, you have low maintenance because you won’t have to do any painting, staining or repairing. With innovative features such as antioxidants, antimicrobial material, and the use of recycled goods, composite decking offers myriad benefits that well justify the overall cost. Min Cost $2,855. Selecting The Best Composite Decking Color For Your Home. Trex Decking. On the other hand, most composite decking comes with at least a 30-year warranty. Moisture Shield’s manufacturing process offers a product that is thoroughly resistant to both sun and water exposure for years to come. Composite decking is made using a wood-plastic composite that is stronger and heavier than wood alone. There are tons of variety of composite decking. We have used IPE oil every two years. EDGE™ is a 3-sided capped composite. These hardwood decking species have shown to work in every climate from the dry dessert to hot and humid Florida all the way to cold and snow covered Buffalo, NY. Even the best composite decking is only $3 to $7 per square foot. Composite lumber is made of a blend of plastic and wood. I spent double what I would have for another type of deck and have hated it from day one. Pros: Composite decking materials are made primarily from wood fibers and recycled plastics, and are among the fastest-growing decking options available today. Save yourself a lot of grief, blood and time and use 2×6 to build your posts. By comparison a timber deck in the same situation hovers around 60℃. Wood vs. Composite vs. Polymer. Composite decking, from brands such as Trex and TimberTech, is made from a blend of recycled plastic (polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC) mixed with wood fibers (like wood chips or sawdust). The "composite" decking I liked the best I guess really isn't even composite. This manufacturer offers heat-resistant decking made from bamboo, plastics, and other recycled materials. AZEK is the best series from TimbeTech if you prefer capped PVC to traditional composite boards. Composite Decking – A Brief History. Pros: Composite decking materials are made primarily from wood fibers and recycled plastics, and are among the fastest-growing decking options … You should also take as many precautions as you can to mitigate any moisture issues or differences underneath your decking. TimberTech AZEK. Yes they do. While a shade cloth or awning can certainly help to partially shield the sun’s harsh rays, timber can really feel the burn from high temperatures, causing it to splinter and shrink. Hyperion Pioneer and Explorer deck boards do not have a plastic protective coating. Our composite decking products have stood up to the elements for more than 30 years with no structural field failures. In these cases, even though we don’t recommend it unless you can create the ideal conditions we suggest using 5/4 x 4 decking or 5/4 x 4 quarter sawn decking. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aa8e3488c738871692b8a6364961abc9" );document.getElementById("fe0f4b63f3").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Long summer days, as well as frequent foot traffic, […], Tigerwood is an exotic hardwood from Brazil. The most common decking size is 5/4 x 6” which will have a finished dimension of 1 inch thick and 5.5 inches wide.However just like hardwood flooring the wider your deck boards are the more likely they will be to cup. Trex markets its good, better, best products under three brand names: Enhance, Select and Transcend. https://www.lrjlumber.com/homeowners-builders/. When the less demanding plastic-composite decking appeared on the scene in the 1990s, homeowners happily adopted it, despite the higher price and limited color selection (gray). Consider Fiberon Horizon Composite Decking for about $2.90 a square foot. Same is true with composite decking, railing and fencing. Trex vs. AZEK: ... AZEK will be slightly cooler, but head outside to enjoy your deck barefoot on a full-sun, 90-degree day, your feet will not know the difference between the 2 brands. Which Composite Decking Material is Best? I followed the general guidelines on their website and the only thing I can reproach them is how often you have to apply the IPE oil to maintain the colour. This is normal and the colour settles to a lighter shade for the longer term. Each of these boards is manufactured from 95% recycled material and contains plastic and wood flour. Composite Decks. composite decking in low sun area . Virtually any decking . Thicker boards such as 5/4 x 4 (finishes at 1” thick and 3 1/2″ wide) are also more stable then 1 x 4 (finishes at 3/4” thick and 3 1/2″ wide) it’s a quarter inch thicker and gives you more stability. The narrower a board is the less likely it is to cup so using narrow boards such as 1×4 (finished at 3 1/2″ wide), is not only more stable but it can save you money and give a more interesting look. You Might Love. The low-maintenance, highly durable, splinter free, and stain resistant characteristics of composite decking far outweigh a bit of heat and provide decades of enjoyment with family and friends. TimberTech decking brings you high-style, low-maintenance composite decking products— all backed by industry-leading warranties. While it is more expensive up-front than wood, composite decking saves thousands of dollars in the longrun on upkeep, repairs, and replacements. Composite decking is a great option for those on a budget. In dry climates like Arizona, wood decking materials will shrink due to the lack of moisture. Climates like Florida that see extreme heat, rain, humidity and hurricanes are some of the harshest environments on homes and the materials they are built with. For example when we test our boards with a digital thermometer in full midday sun they hold at about 65℃. Some issues with composite decking! Of course, planting trees or constructing an awning or pergola can also minimize direct sun exposure, dramatically reducing heat build-up. I built the deck in 2014/15. Wet wood that dries unevenly will warp. We typically advise applying a coat of oil every year or two to preserve the color, but the most extreme climates might need it more often. 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