This time of year especially, the deck is the place where family seems to gather and spend the majority of their outdoor time. It’s a place to entertain, eat, play, and celebrate the warmer Maryland months; the deck is by far one of the most important spaces of the home, if you have one.
Decks do require maintenance, especially if your deck is wood-if you were ever a kid and ran across an unkempt deck only to get a terrible splinter, then you understand the importance of the upkeep. Maybe you had never gotten a splinter in the bottom of your foot, but perhaps as a teen you had to clean your family deck each year? If you were lucky, you had a power washer, otherwise you would be found scrubbing it down by hand.
With composite decking, the amount of maintenance required decreases significantly over wood, but is one better than the other? What are the pros and cons of composite decking, and what makes it different?
What is Composite Decking?
Composite decks are made from recycled wood scraps and shavings that are mixed with plastic, often recycled as well-making them environmentally friendly. Composite decking comes in many colors and fake wood grains. The material is molded to the shape of a decking plank.
What Are The Pros of Composite Decking?
All splinters aside, there are tons of benefits to replacing your wooden deck with a composite one.
- Less maintenance
- Recycled eco-friendly materials
- Longer lasting
- Resistant to rot and termites
- Durable
- Easy to clean
What Are The Cons of Composite Decking?
There are but a few drawbacks to composite decking and some of them can really be spun into positive attributes. Most people will tell you a drawback is that composite decking is more expensive than wood, and it is, but the longevity and the money and time you’ll save on maintenance can arguably be a money saver and put the two on par with each other.
Another complaint, mainly in the earlier years of composite decking’s rise to fame, is fading. Because the planks are free of harsh chemicals, they can be prone to fading over time. Since then composite has changed slightly and has become better, and there are also sealants and coatings that can be added to avoid such fading.
So if you are opting for a longer lasting decking material with much less maintenance and fuss, composite should be something to consider. Give us a call today if you have any questions about composite decks or would like to schedule a consultation.
