You need to know about the best composite decking brands to make an informed choice. As summer approaches, don’t wait until the last minute to get your backyard deck ready. If you’re building a new deck, do some research on composite deck brands to determine which style is right for you.
We’ll also explore wood plastic composite decking and show you why it’s becoming popular among homeowners.
If you already have real wood decking, consider a composite deck upgrade. Improving the quality of your deck might not feel like a cost-effective option at first, but with composite decks, you’ll reap their benefits in the long-term.
Many people prefer the decking over real wood decking. Before you decide, learn more about composite deck boards and how they can benefit your outdoor space.
What Are Composite Decking Boards?
A composite is something that involves more than one material. With composite deck boards, the materials are synthetic and natural. More often than not, composite decking boards are made from reclaimed wood and recycled plastic.
Composite decks are a cost-effective alternative to real wood decks. And like anything else, each becking brand has pros and cons.
Best Composite Decking Brands For 2022
With composite decking, only a few trusted brands exist. To make it easier and help you find what you’re looking for, we’ll show you the best composite decking brands available today.
We’ll take a close look at their unique features, how the decking boards are made, and what makes each brand special.
Trex Decking
Among composite decking brands, Trex is an industry leader. The company offers the largest selections for those on a budget. Their decking is easy to use, making it the best DIY option.
Due to how the decking is made, the boards are easy to install. The decking comes with instructions that are easy to follow.
You can also use kits that match the boards or have the boards pre-drilled that you can use with driving screws.
Fiberon
Fiberon has the biggest selection and also the cheapest among all brands. They offer composite decking samples and online visuals to help you find that ideal match for your deck.
DuraLife
DuraLife decking isn’t the most popular choice, but it’s a reliable choice. The company doesn’t have many options yet they offer competitive prices and quality composite decking boards. When a company has fewer options, it means you can count on each one.
Moisture Shield
MoistureShield wins points for having a user-friendly site. They make it easy to find the right composite decking for your backyard deck. Their brand offers high-quality decking, but at a price.
However, sometimes paying more initially will save money in the long run. If you buy cheap decking, you may need to replace it sooner than desired, which will add to your expenses in the long run.
Envision
Envision sells decking at average prices. What makes the company special is the “vision” they offer to their clients. You can use their online gallery for inspiration, which is a gift even if you’re not a client. Even if you don’t buy from Envision, it’s worth checking out their premium products for inspiration.
Timber Tech
Timber Tech offers the best of both worlds. They sell superior composite decking, although at higher prices than other brands. Best of all, their samples are free so you can test them. You can order samples to help decide which color scheme would be right for your deck. The Timbertech edge is sustainability. The company recycles just about everything.
Deckorators
Deckorators offer decking at average prices. They have a nice selection of decking styles, including distressed composite wood that looks like real wood or laminate. Remember, now is the time to play around with ideas rather than make decisions.
Wolf Decking
Wolf Decking manufacturers composite decking with a lifetime warranty. They even offer a 50 year fade warranty. If you prefer buying from US companies, Wolf Decking is your best bet.
They support local mills by buying their materials and using them for their decking. This practice will make you feel comfortable good knowing you are supporting local businesses.
Future Of Decking: Wood-Plastic Composites
Among wood decking manufacturers and consumers, the need for innovative and sustainable alternative decking materials has never been this strong. And this is why you should know more about wood plastic composites (WPCs), which have emerged as the most popular an alternative to real-wood grain decking.
And in addition to outdoor home decor, WPCs are applied to boat docks, railings, wall cladding, siding, fences, and windows.
What’s In Wood Plastic Composite?
WPCs are manufactured from waste gathered from the wood processing industry. During the manufacturing process, recycled plastics, and high-level fillers are included in the manufactured wood. WPCs contain additives that improve the manufacturing and the functionality of wood decking materials.
The special wood decking also gives recyclable plastics a new life. As sustainability is the goal, WPC manufacturing reduces energy costs while leaving behind a low-carbon footprint.
For example, wood composite decking includes coupling agents and additives that reinforce acrylic weather-resistant resin compounds.
The decking material is flex resistant and reduces water absorption. Unlike real wood-grain decking, the additives allow decking surfaces to withstand heavier wetting and freeze thaw cycles (FTCs).
Soft Touch Surface
All-wood decks are harder to maintain. They also splinter and crack, which can be uncomfortable. WPCs have acrylic weather-strengthened resins designed to provide a soft touch surface.
Soft touch compounds contain anti-slip properties, offering increased friction necessary for pool area decks and in heavy rainfall environments.
The resins are used for handrails, poolside decks, stairs, ramps, and other soft surfaces that require added grip strength and feel.
Some brands feature an all-acrylic, weather-strengthened resin compound. The composites offer higher durability and greater scratch resistance protection. Contractors like the composite style because it provides a strong substrate adhesion, has a wide workability range, and comes in a low gloss finish.
Durability And Safety
WPC decking enables higher throughput, lower melt temperature, and less thermal degradation. Manufacturers like WPCs because they help achieve higher productivity while experiencing lower scrap rates. And besides, nothing beats the tensile strength and flexibility of wood plastic composite paneling.
WPCs are made with an environmentally friendly wood plastic composite flame retardant. The latest advances in outdoor decking feature halogen-free flame retardant properties suited for natural fiber reinforced plastics.
The modifiers strengthen the physical bonding of wood fibers in a thermoplastic matrix. What this means is the composite decking can handle higher load levels due to its impact resistant qualities with backyard decks and exterior panels.
Wood plastic composites safeguard against excessive color fading on decking and fences. In low-light areas. Panels featuring simulated wood grain and high performance pre-colored acrylic weather-proofing resin compound are available in cedar, green, black, brown, and mahogany finishes.
Why Wood Plastic Composite Outdoor Décor?
Demand for creating outdoor living spaces has never been greater. Homeowners understand that by making their outdoor spaces more comfortable, they increase the resale value of their homes.
Here are the biggest market trends impacting outdoor living:
- Mixed Materials – Using wood-plastic materials with traditional materials such as concrete, wicker, aluminum, copper, and stone can create more visual interest.
- Industrial Inspiration – Wood-plastic materials support an accelerated transition to stylish contemporary designs, including large areas of glass, smooth surfaces, and clean lines.
- Outdoor Dining – The desire to dine and cook outdoors brings new opportunities for WPCs to create entertainment spaces.
- Personal privacy – WPC allows the use of simple curtains to maximize privacy.
Composite Decking Materials
Composite decking is made from wood fiber and plastic. Let’s take a look at their specific ingredients.
Waste Wood
The wood used in most composite decking is from recycled furniture and other wood materials. Sawdust and waste are used to reduce waste.
Recycled Plastic
Most plastic used for composite boards comes from polyethylene in milk containers and shopping bags. It is shredded before it’s mixed with wood dust from old furniture.
Pigments
Pigments come from natural resources and chemical compounds. When combined, their reaction creates different colors for the boards.
Ultraviolet Inhibitors
A UV inhibitor is often used in composite decking to prevent the sun from causing the boards to fade quickly. This is often added to candles to prevent fading and is available over-the-counter.
Borate Preservatives
This is a type of preservative made for composite boards. It’s composed of disodium octoborate tetrahydrate, which prevents termites from eating wood.
Composite Decking Vs Wood Decking
Let’s look at the pros and cons of composite decking.
Composite Decking Pros
- Less Maintenance – this is simple. Composite decking is easier to maintain than wood decking. After all, wood isn’t insect resistant, doesn’t need stained every so often, and is generally longer-lasting.
- More Choices – because it is made with synthetic materials and pressed together, the manufactures can create a specific color or pattern without using paint post-production.
- Recycled – although it’s plastic, it’s recycled plastic.
- Durable – more durable than real wood. This is true for most manufactured goods. Although it may scratch, real wood isn’t scratch resistant, nor does it smooth easily.
- Rot proof – Composite wood is rot-proof because it has plastic in it.
- Fade resistant – although it fades a little over time, it doesn’t fade as fast as real wood. You’ll notice that real wood fades to a grey color, which isn’t appealing.
- Long Boards – being able to buy longer boards will save you a lot of trouble and offer you a completely new look. You won’t have to plan where you have seams as you can lay the boards all the way across the deck.
Composite Decking Cons
- Expensive – composite decking is quite a bit more expensive than real wood.
- Not Natural – as in, it doesn’t look quite natural. While it isn’t natural, it also doesn’t look like real boards, which it was designed to mimic. It can be close, but there’s always something a little bit off.
Is Composite Decking Worth It?
Everything depends on your budget. You won’t know if the decking is worth it until you decide what you want.
Trex Decking has many great deals, for example. They have some of the lowest prices out there without compromising quality. Find them and other brands at your local hardware store or order online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
Can I Paint My Composite Deck?
You can paint a composite deck, but it’s not a good idea. The deck style wasn’t designed for paint. Their purpose is to provide a durable and natural surface color.
If you’re set on painting, you’ll need to apply an acrylic primer and then acrylic paint. However, before you begin, you’ll need to pressure wash your deck surface.
Can You Cut Composite Decking With A Circular Saw?
You can use a circular saw to cut composite decking as composite cuts like wood. Before you begin, mark the board using a quick square. You’ll need to hold the square against the board’s face to get the most accurate measurements.
Can You Mix Composite Wood With Decking Wood?
Composite wood and decking wood can be mixed. The reason why people mix wood materials is to save money. Also, when you mix them, there’s not a lot of maintenance required afterward to preserve your water resistant deck.
What Is Composite Decking Made Of?
Composite decking is made of recycled wood, plastic, and additives. Decking brands are made with different mixture percentages. It’s not uncommon for composite manufacturers to use recycled materials. The plastic ingredients include polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene.
How Long Does A Composite Deck Last?
A composite deck will last on average 25 to 30 years. Composite decking brands have different warranties. Each brand has a different shelf-life and will depend on its building materials.
Best Composite Decking Brands Conclusion
If you’re looking for a backyard project, consider a composite deck. You won’t find a more durable and low-maintenance option. Natural wood decks may seem appealing, but they require more attention and care.
Wood plastic decking includes a variety of materials. Instead of a metal alloy, think of it was a wood alloy. A deck made with composite material will last longer than a natural wood deck. PVC decks, for example, are made with recycled plastics and have a wood-like appearance.
Furthermore, plastic decking has fade resistance qualities, unlike other decking materials. And they offer extra protection against termites and harsh weather.
You’ll need to enlist a professional contractor if you’ve never built a deck. They could help you decide on the best place to install a deck and help protect it from direct sunlight.
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