Composite decking is one of the latest innovations in outdoor design. However, before you run out to purchase a composite wood deck, you need to consider the differences between this type of deck and wood decks. When it comes to deck material, there are important challenges and benefits of each type of these options.

Deck Material: Composite Wood Deck

Composite decks are very popular because of one major feature: maintenance. Wooden deck owners know the hassle of having to resurface a wood deck each spring and use a wood stain. This alone has many owners of wood decks looking toward a composite option when they upgrade their deck.

Composite decking material is a mixture of wood pulp with plastic. The plastic acts as a binder, and the wood pulp provides strength. Generally, composite decks are made so that they appear to be wood, complete with the wood grain markings. Composite decking costs 30 percent more than traditional wood decking. However, manufacturers claim that composite decking lasts twice as long as wood decks.

Initially, composite decking material was marketed as a “maintenance free” option for your deck. However, early buyers of this type of deck material learned differently. Many people filed law suits against composite decking companies because of the short life spans of their composite decks. This decking material can fade, and the wood pulp fibers may become exposed over time.

Now you’ll notice that composite manufacturers use the term “low maintenance” when referring to their decking material. With wood decks, you have to sand and apply wood stain each year. With a composite wood deck, you’ll only have to use a special cleaner two to three times a year.

Deck Material: Wood Decks

Wood is the classical choice for decks. If you prefer a more traditional deck material, this is the way to go. You can pick from a variety of different wood choices and, as long as you apply wood stain and a water sealer to the deck, you won’t experience the same fading problems of composite decking.

On the other hand, wood decks can splinter and split, which won’t happen with composite decking. There’s also the maintenance commitment with wood decks, which means yearly refinishing to preserve this outdoor area.

No matter what your choice, be sure to investigate the deck material you are using thoroughly. This is especially true for the composite decking manufacturer. The can be a big difference in quality between composite deck manufacturers.