Top 5 Myths About Composite Decking

Anyone in the market for a new deck knows that finding the right material for the job can be difficult.

Each option has pros and cons, and everyone has their preference. In the past, wood was the simple choice for decking projects, mostly because there were very few alternatives. That said, it wasn’t the only one. Composite decking has been a developing market for more than a decade, with some of the finest manufacturing technology involved in its creation. In a lot of ways, it was like the Mercedes or Ferrari of its time – promising longevity, ease of use and low maintenance. Only – as with all burgeoning tech – it could be expensive and had a few developmental bugs.

In the early days of composite decking, there was both excitement and skepticism. Excitement over a new, technologically-advanced solution was competing with and even surpassing traditional wood decks…And skepticism over the price tag, look and versatility of the new composite decks.

Since then, much has changed. Attitudes have changed, realities have changed, and most importantly – composite decking has changed. Natural wood versus composite ultimately faded into the back ground and the conversation over how to make composites better took center stage.  To this day, the “right” option depends on the individual. However, even decades after the introduction and evolution of composite decking, myths persist and J&W Lumber would like to fix that.

Here are the top 5 myths about composite decking, updated for 2017.

1. It’s Too Expensive

When composite decking was first introduced, its price was roughly three times the price of wood. It had a luxury price tag and was marketed as such – a contrast to the fact that it was still new and largely misunderstood. Composite didn’t visually look identical to wood, and its formula was still developing. For these reasons, it never quite gained the widespread popularity it was seeking. However, times have changed.

Just like any other new technology, there are early adopters (those who are willing to pay a premium for the newest tech), the early and late majority (those who adopt because it makes sense) and the late adopters (those who adopt only when all the bugs are worked out). Composite decking is in the “late majority” phase. The technology has vastly improved and the price has come down significantly. All things considered, entry level composite decking prices are now in the same ballpark as traditional wood, and they are aesthetically much improved.

2. There’s No Maintenance Involved

“It’s no maintenance!” – a great selling point – but it’s not entirely accurate. While it is true that composite decking requires much less maintenance than traditional wood, it doesn’t mean there’s no maintenance. You will have to do some work. Most of that work is simply spraying down your deck with a hose, but it’s still technically work. Composite decks get dirty just like wood decks. It doesn’t magically clean itself. While “no maintenance” may be a misnomer, low maintenance is a reality when it comes to composite decking. A little soap and water every few months will keep your composite deck looking brand new year after year.

3. It Looks Like Plastic

A few decades ago, this may have been a fair assessment. Composite decks didn’t look exactly like plastic but neither did they look much like wood. Getting composite decking 20 years ago meant you were signing up for a singular “look.” To many though, the benefits of composite outweighed the lack of variety. Times, however, have changed. Different brands offer different colors and textures with major headway being made in the design and look.

Trex, one of the tentpole brands of composite decking, comes in a variety of new colors that help mimic various types of wood. The buck doesn’t stop with color either – each of their trademark lines of decking come in one of two unique grain patterns. With modern composites, you’ll be able to match your deck to the style of your home and its existing wood structures.

4. It’s Hard to Install

Well, it might be more accurate to say that it “was” hard to install, but now things are quite different. It’s not hard to install. In fact, modern day composite decking is often very simple to install for someone familiar with deck installation. Composite can even be easier to install than most traditional wood decking due to how the boards are attached. With Trex Decking’s simple to install clip system, even amateurs can effectively install a new deck. Trex even provides simple how-to guides for those who want to make their deck a DIY project.

Composite decking has the added benefit of custom cuts. You can order specific sizes for any part of your deck. This wasn’t always the case. Many of the older composite formulas required pre-drilling every screw. Installation required some know-how.

5. It Will Fade, Stain and Scratch

While this was true with early composite decking, modern composites feature a shell system that prevents fade, stains and scratches. Early composites would generally fade back to their underlying color – a grayish white – after about three years of exposure to the sun. Since then the technology has vastly improved. Modern composite decking has been engineered to stand up to decades of harsh weather, sun and constant foot traffic. Also, Trex composite decking offers a 25-year warranty that protects against fading and staining and warp.

Composite decking has come a long way over the years and is becoming more and more popular every day. Ready to build your new deck? You may want to consider composite.

Ready to build your new deck? You may want to consider composite.

Contact our team to get an estimate for your composite decking project.