Composite Vs. Wood Decking

What to look out for when purchasing composite decking

• Higher initial cost
• Be sure you find a contractor who is well versed in manufacturer requirements and installation guidelines of Trex decking
• Do your research on what type of decking is best suited for your project
• Consider mixing and matching different colors to give your project the "wow" factor 

Pros and cons of wood decking

While composite decking is all the rave these days, what’s wrong with good old fashioned wood decking? After all, you might even see it quite often, and here are some of the benefits of wood decking:

• Lower upfront cost
• Natural feel and look
• Quick, budget-friendly fix for a short-term solution

If you’re like me, the price tag on a wood deck seems more appealing at first glance.

However, there are a few important considerations to take into account before pulling the trigger on wood.

If wood decking seems like it might be the option for you, consider the following implications that go along with a wood deck:

• You will need to stain and seal every 1-3 years
• Can rot prematurely
• Little to no product warranty
• Splinters are an issue for bare feet
• Warping and twisting
• Maintenance can be costly over time
• Lower re-sell value of your home
• Sealant and stains can be harmful to the environment

Conclusion

Modern construction materials and technologies have come a long way. Composite decking is no exception. With advancements in product manufacturing the cost of low maintenance materials continue to drop making them less likely to break your bank! Something I like to point out is that folks will almost always end up spending more money on a wood deck over the course of 10 years… to me, composite or PVC decking is a no brainer!

Composite, PVC, Builder grade, Pro grade. What’s the difference?

You may not realize that all low maintenance deck boards aren't created equal. In fact, composite decking isn’t your only choice when considering the best option for your project. Expect to learn the differences in pro grade vs. builder grade materials, the difference in PVC, or composite decking, and much more…