Composite (man-made) decking is the most popular product in the decking industry today. There are many different manufacturers of these products, most of which offer multiple grades or versions of composite decking. We have found that while there are differences in how these products are made and what types of raw materials are used, the main differences lie in the appearance or “look” of the product and the price point. Most of the major brands will perform somewhat the same over time as far as color loss, durability, staining, scratching, etc.

 

It is important to note that while these types of products may be superior to most wood decking, the conception that composite decking is “perfect” is somewhat misleading. In most cases, we feel that composite decking is the best choice for your deck but we would like to point out some of the flaws you may find in these products.

 

Since these products are all man made, there can be some differences in color batching between boards. This is especially true with the TREX product line as it is one of the few products made with recycled or reclaimed raw materials. Don’t be surprised if you see some slight color difference between some of the decking boards when the product is brand new. We have found that the sun will cause all composite products to fade to a lighter shade and most, if not all, the color difference, will blend together. If it is necessary to replace a board or boards on your deck for any reason, it is unlikely the new board or boards will color match the existing boards exactly. They may fade in to be a closer match over time, but there are no guarantees.

 

The same holds true for scratching and scarring of the decking. With some composite decking, it is possible to scratch the boards simply by sliding one over the other off the stack. Any scratches or marring of the decking during the construction of the deck should fade with exposure to sunlight. This will also be true of scratching caused by furniture, pets, children’s toys, etc. Sunlight is a great healer of composite decking.

 

It is possible to stain composite decking with foodstuffs, wines, grease, etc. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for removing stains. Some stains will not be able to be removed.

 

It is possible for composite decking to absorb some moisture and swell up slightly. For this and other reasons, we always gap our decking side to side at min. ¼” spacing. Some manufacturers are ok with a smaller gap, but we have found the decks easier to clean at ¼” gap.

 

Composite decking usually will not crack or split. However, it is possible to have small cracks appear near the ends of a board where there is a decking screw or a tight cut around a rail post. These cracks can occur even with pre-drilling of the boards for the screws.

 

Composite decking must be kept clean. It may be necessary to clean your deck at least once, perhaps two or three times a year, depending on how nice you want it to look. Moss and algae will grow on composite decking just like anything else here in the Northwest. You may contact our office or the manufacturer of your product for cleaning tips. We can also recommend a company that will clean your decking for a very reasonable fee.

 

NO protective coatings or stains are needed for composite decking. Composite decking will not rot or decay. Most composite decking companies offer a written warranty on their product.We feel that this information about “what to expect” from your composite deck is important to know.

 

We also feel that composite decking is a great value and will provide a long lasting, beautiful deck surface for many years to come.