Why Composite Decking? Durability, Design, Environment
By Dave KileIf you’ve ever pulled a splinter from a toddler’s foot?
If you’ve ever spent the weekend staining and sealing a wood deck?
If you’ve ever slipped on wooden stairs?
Then, you don’t need convincing that composite decking offers so many benefits over wood.
If you’re not convinced, consider these three primary advantages:
- Durability
Composite decks are made to last. Trex, for example, offers a 25-Year Limited Residential Warranty. That’s at least 25 years of not having to spend a weekend staining and sealing your deck annually.
Composite decking resists fading and scratching and should not rot, warp or splinter. That means you and your children can enjoy your deck in your bare feet. Additionally, composite decking is made primarily of plastic, with some wood particles, making it insect-proof.
To clean composite decking, simply use soap and water. It resists mold, thus making it more slip-resistant than wood.
Many homeowners build a traditional wooden substructure and then use composite boards for the decking, railings, and other visible features. To ensure your wooden beams and joists last, install deck flashing tape. A self-adhesive, butyl-based deck flashing tape, such as Trex Protect, shields the tops of joists, rim joists, beams, and the ledger board from moisture that can lead to the development of rot and wood decay and the loosening of deck screws and fasteners.
- Design
With composite decking, the design possibilities are endless. You can choose the color and texture that fits with your home and landscape. Composite materials are flexible, allowing you to create curved elements and mix and match colors without worrying about having to re-stain your deck boards in different colors in the future.
With a composite deck, you can also add numerous elements to maximize your outdoor living space. For example, when you install a drainage system such as Trex RainEscape, you can add dry, usable space under your two-story deck. Imagine the possibilities: from an outdoor entertainment system, kitchen, or hot tub. You’ll love getting full use of your new deck.
Today’s composite decking choices are better than ever. If you can dream it, you can do it.
- Environment
Composite decking is also environmentally friendly. Every 20 feet of decking contains about 30 pounds of material that would have ended up in a landfill, according to This Old House.
Trex is made of 95 percent recycled materials and reclaimed wood. The average 500-square foot composite Trex deck contains 140,000 recycled plastic bags, making Trex one of the largest plastic bag recyclers in the United States.
Because of all of these benefits, composite decking adds value to your home. Homebuyers love the ease and beauty of composite decking. So enjoy your new composite deck today and sell your home more easily tomorrow!
