Bamboo makes a very fine, homogeneous and dense flour which is mixed with recycled plastics. Since the water doesn’t quite absorb, it becomes stagnant, with the moisture finally causing mold to develop. You will also have to reapply the sealant or stain once a year, which will include lightly sanding the deck surfaces with 80-grit sandpaper before applying. New model Trex decking with capped design don’t have staining problems like the older products do according to Trex. Capped halfway: Capped halfway composite decking features capping on the top half. Ultradeck composite material is equipped with Anti-UV inhibitors to combat fading in sunlight. For example, PT wood must be restained and/or resealed every few years while composite does not. Another characteristic that can cause problems includes retaining heat and feeling hot to bare feet. The above problems with decking can take lots of time and money to correct. Unmatched in strength and durability, our Poly-Pro Advantage™ outperforms other composites and PVC decking products, ensuring that DuraLife decking resists fading or staining, while minimizing contracting and expanding. Any exposed wood particles in a board’s core or cap weaken its defense from mold, mildew, and moisture damage. Worse yet, gouges and scratches on composite decking can’t be fixed, unless you completely replace the board. If you have any questions about capped composite decking, please contact us. Here are the five main problems associated with composites that you must be aware of before you invest thousands into your new deck or patio. The Voyage Decking collection is capped composite boards with vertical grain variegation. The sun is not the friend of wood or uncapped composite decking. I’ll be honest, when I started outlining this article I came up with 20 points within 10 minutes. Mold These are incredibly common problems with decking. Swelling & Cupping Instead, you can work to prevent problems with decking and the associated trouble at the start by using the right materials. Half-capped exterior decking materials expose the lower half of the boards to humidity. Even if you stave off the rot, there is the problem of warping. Forget staining and you can spray off any spots with a power washer or normal soap and water. This can take 2 days as the sealer needs time to dry. After all, no matter how you initially you make your deck, it can crumble well inside of a decade if it isn’t properly cared for. Homeowners quickly notice that their new deck scratches fairly easily compared to older wood decks. AZEK’s teams of scientists and designers have engineered high-performance decking materials that withstand the test of time and nature with unparalleled beauty. However, if the composite decking that you chose doesn’t have a non-porous surface layer (capping), it can easily get stained. This decking is in the premium class and available in four colors with Sierra, Tundra, Costa, and Mesa. Nooks and crannies on wooden decks can hide rot until it is too late. That means, when you choose TimberTech® capped composite or capped polymer decking, you save on long-term costs, time, and stress. DuraLife Decking Capped Composite Decking DuraLife decking is designed to stand up to the harshest weather conditions. Composite decking, which is made from thermoplastic resins and wood, doesn’t invite fungi, since it can’t eat plastic. The sun is not the friend of wood or uncapped composite decking. Modified wood is a real wood product that offers far more benefits than composite, but with the beautiful look of natural wood. Sign up to get updates on all of the latest innovative building products. Fortunately, many, if not most, of the problems with decking and other considerations on this list can be avoided if you pick capped composite decking with a long stain and fade warranty. © Innovative Building Material | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy. There are a multitude of problems with composite decking that show up all too often to be just a stray issue for a hard to please homeowner. This capping contains UV inhibitors and … Capping is not an add-on. Composite decking is typically made of more plastic than wood fibers, leaving the surface fairly soft. Both composite and PVC decking materials can be either capped or uncapped. However, the capping surface of many older materials was made out of shiny, hard plastic that lacked traction. Carpenter ants, on the other hand, won’t eat wood. With its protective polymer sleeve, capped composite decking is particularly water-resistant with an even lower absorption rate than traditional composite decking. However, if the composite wood is uncapped, it can still warp from rapid contraction and expansion cycles. Why Choose Composite Decking Composite decking was developed in a response to use recycled materials and to alleviate the problems associated with wooden decking which are typically related to weather problems causing decay, mould and algae growth within the traditional wooden deck boards, with composite decking as each of the fibres is coated in polymers they protect the wood from decay … The accounts of issues are repeated with a frightening regularity and sameness throughout the threads of complaints. A 25-year fade and stain warranty covers all capped composite decking offered through Trex vs Timbertech’s 30-year warranty. This solves some problems, but other problems occur. Dreaded Australian UV rays cause the surface fibres to decay, making their pretty exteriors loose their lustre. Hollow composite decking is notoriously short-lived, often bowing and cracking within a few months of purchase; however, TimberTech's solid composite decking is far sturdier, which is why we offer a 25 year residential warranty with all of our deck boards. We will only send you awesome stuff!Privacy Policy. Capped decking offers extra protection in the form of a hard outer shell. Yakima Decking Solid Board 7/8" x 5 3/8" x 16' Composite Decking ... Shop Solid Board 7/8 x 5 3/8 x 16' Composite Decking in Gray at Wayfair. Over the past few decades, composite decking has skyrocketed in popularity as an alternative to wood. Composite lumber is any man-made material composed of a mix of wood fibers, plastics, binders, and adhesives. Composite deck boards contain porous wood fibers that absorb moisture, fade, stain, swell and feed bacteria. Today the m Many new decks are being made with composite decking rather than wood, as manufacturers have led homeowners to believe that their products are superior to any real wood. NexGEN Decking offers a way to prevent these common problems. Similarly to composite, it requires no surface treatments and only basic cleaning. Warping and splinter resistant After just a few years in the harsh Australian weather, traditional timber decking can often warp or spinter. Available in two popular solid colors, Brown and Gray, Veranda composite decking is capped on three sides and backed by a … You can’t simply start slapping decking materials together, or you will wind up with an uneven mess on your hands. While more advanced composite is exceptionally resistant to water, this doesn’t mean that mold isn’t capable of growing. You will have to take the following points into consideration to do this. Termites home in on rotten wood and eat it while they build tunnels in it. Capped composite decking doesn’t splinter, so that isn’t a concern. Common complaints from homeowners include their composite decking board swelling, shifting, warping, and shrinking. If a stain occurs and … Capped composite decking, on the other hand, is easier to maintain. Composite decking is made up of a blend of wood particles and plastic materials to form a deck board, then some are capped with a synthetic material to help keep moisture out. Composite decking also isn’t as strong as solid wood, which is evident in that smaller joist spacing is required for the deck’s structure. Your email address will not be published. Free and Fast Shipping at everyday low prices. While composite decking certainly does have some advantages, it also has a number of problems that the average homeowner may be unaware of. When you make the plans for your deck, you will want to take into consideration how much time and effort you are willing to invest in maintaining the appearance and structural integrity of your deck. Traditional wood will require the most maintenance over the deck’s lifespan, whereas the maintenance for composite decking is practically nonexistent. Hello, low-maintenance outdoor living. If, on the other hand, you have capped composite decking, you don’t need to worry about any of these common problems with decking. The uncapped composite decking fades in colour while wood eventually turn grey if not properly treated. You will have to keep plants trimmed back from it to slow mould and rot and to make it harder for pests to climb on your deck. capped composite technology but with bamboo. The texture of the surface of the boards and the very rough surface of uncapped ends can easily hold water within its grooves. Coupled with being sold as low-maintenance and not needing surface treatments leads homeowners to believe their new deck will look the same for its entire lifespan. How Sustainability and Luxury Design Can Work Together. There are capped composite decking systems that come with marine grade stainless steel fasteners that attach the boards to the sub-frame via grooves on the sides of the boards so that you can avoid loose dangerous nails all together. Some capped composite wood is only half capped. In reality, composite decking is prone to fading, especially when it’s exposed to the elements and sun. While capped halfway decking has better resistance to stains, scratches and the sun, it has other problems. plywood), but capped composite lumbers designed for decking didn’t really come onto the market until the ’90s. With NexGEN Capped Composite Decking all these thrills and spills simply wash off. Because with a Trex deck you can’t sand or refinish the deck. Many composite manufacturers even offer matching paint for this reason. Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Capped Composite Decking, Composite Decking, Deck, Deck Materials, Decking Systems, Wooden Decks. Another myth of composite that relates to its water-resistance is that it won’t swell from water contact. Your email address will not be published. Common complaints from homeowners include their composite decking board swelling, shifting, warping, and shrinking. What’s interesting to note is that composite decking boards are more apt to move around. The cycle of wet/dry also causes the grain to rise, cracking finishes and letting in more moisture. Try to avoid applying the finish when it is really hot out, as this will cause the seal to dry too quickly and leave a spotted appearance. Uncapped decking is the more cost-effective choice, but it is also more vulnerable to staining and mold growth if not carefully maintained. Composite decking doesn't swell or contract to the same extent that real wood decking does (especially if it's fitted correctly). If your wood deck got scratched, it can be sanded down. Last, but not least, modified wood ages beautifully (even becoming a silvery-grey) and rarely splinters. You will also have to be very quick to replace anything that is rotting so that you don’t provide a meal for the bugs. One example is the slipperiness of composite decking when it’s wet. You can cover uncapped composite decking with a finish, too, though the material doesn’t absorb stains well. The reason for this is that plastic is oil-based in nature which causes water to sit on its surface rather than absorbing like wood. Some capped composite wood products contain wood powder in their cap layer, which means that wood powder is still exposed to the elements and can still succumb to the problems of the first generation. Plastic--capped … With an enhanced real-wood look and strength backed by Alloy Armour Technology ™, AZEK’s capped polymer decking materials are top of the line in quality and beauty. If you get wood for your decking, you will have to keep the bugs in mind. There are other characteristics of composite decking that limit its usability. You will have to scrub it with cleaners designed for composite decking to remove them. Since these are natural attributes, there really is no way to avoid them. The cause of this isn’t exactly clear, but it’s suggested that the composite nature of the decking leads it to be much more sensitive to … Good Life Capped Composite Decking (Trade Only). While 99 percent of this newer type of decking material is made from composite, capped decking also has an exterior skin made from a capstock material. Both offer limited warranties that cover material defects, splinters and rot on all of their capped decking as well. Wood as a decking material can be beautiful when you first install it, but, as an organic material, it is prone to rot. In comparison to PT wood, composite decking does have advantages. The only way to combat this with wood is to choose a finish that specifically resists UV radiation, though even these finishes stop working after a while. Be sure to schedule in inspections for rot during the summer so you can replace anything that might be getting weak. This is why regular waterproofing is required to keep a wooden deck nice. Composite decking is no longer a new product and many manufacturers have remedied the initial problems and concerns. Uncapped composite decking is porous and can be stained. The only way to fix the stains is to paint over them. Today we have capped composites, which feature a “cover” that provides added protection against the elements and everyday living. 1. Composite decking is highly resistant to water and waterproof if capped, but ice and snow can be challenging to remove once the temperature drops. NexGEN maintenance free composite and aluminium decking with up to a 50 year stain and fade warranty. The only way to combat this with wood is to choose a finish that specifically resists UV radiation, though even these finishes stop working after a while. Composite Decking Problems for the Boardwalk Ipe boardwalk at Disney World. It is by far the hardest cap in the business. This will be more fun than you think! Termites and carpenter ants are big fans of wood. First generation (non capped) composite wood has no cap layer to protect the core. This movement causes boards to bend out of position, slowly working free of nails and other boards. Many composite decking materials also stain easily. Available Australia wide. Insects, rodents, and other wildlife will also not be attracted to your modified wood deck. Wood is a very absorbent material, and this can cause problems for a hardwood deck over time. While a hardwood deck can be constructed with joists 16′ apart, most composite deck joists must be built 12′ or less apart to prevent sagging. Man-made decking materials have developed greatly since the late 90s with the introduction of Composite Decking. Composite decking is often sold as a close to a waterproof material as you can get. Capped composite decking has come a long way from earlier, uncapped options. Wood-Alternative Decking, Man-made Decking, or Synthetic Decking, like PVC Decking or Capped Composite Decking has become quite popular due to longevity, maintenance, and increasing lumber costs. Even pressure treated wood absorbs water and expands. The newer technologies come in a multitude of colors, grain patterns and thicknesses. Some deck boards have actually peeled and melted! You can cover uncapped composite decking with a finish, too, though the material doesn’t … In this way, composite decking can be fairly unpredictable, even within boards on the same deck. Capstock decking with its plastic wrapper generally fades more slowly than non-capstock composite decking which commonly loses all of its color in three to five years, turning a dingy gray, but it will fade over time. Not only does this weaken your beautiful wood deck, but it leads to unsightly little white ant creatures crawling around the rest of your home. A significant attraction to composite decking is how many colors it comes in. Look specifically for Capped Composite Decking that offers a Stain and Fade Warranty for long term piece of mind. They are engineered for use on the ground or in the water, but Voyage deck boards feature textured embossed for enhanced traction. 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