Comparing Composite Vs Wood Decking

Should You Get Wood Or Composite Decking?

The price of the decking heavily depends on the different manufacturer, as well as the material, shape and complexity. Anywhere between £180 and £240 – it will include the installation fee, too. The budget you need for a woodwork deck project varies from softwood to hardwood. Choose the best softwood timber according to affordability, colour and installation method. No pre-drilling is necessary, neither any kind of budget-soaring hidden fastening installations.

Is Composite Decking Cheaper Than Wood Decking?

What's The Right Choice For Your Deck?

Composite decking does not typically get hotter than pressure treated wood. On a hot summer day with the sun beating down, nearly any surface will get hot however composite decking is more UV resistant and helps resist fading from the sun’s rays. Unlike traditional lumber decking, using composite decking around pools can provide a smooth, clean surface for many years with little to no maintenance. You may be wondering whether composite decking is right for your project and if it’s worth the added cost. Trex decking does not typically get hotter than pressure-treated wood, although on a hot day with a blazing sun, nearly any surface will get uncomfortably hot. Lighter colored boards tend to be slightly cooler than darker composite boards.

• Wood decks have much higher maintenance requirements and don’t last as long as composite decking materials.
• While composite decking tries to mimic the look of real wood, it falls way short of replicating hardwood perfectly.
• Everyone wants beautiful, natural-looking decking and nothing accomplishes that more than real hardwood decking.
• The largest hurdle is the upfront cost, because composite materials cost more than real wood.
• There’s no such thing as a perfect decking material, and that includes composite decking.

Prices are between $13 and $22 per square foot, and this does not include substructure. Wow, there are actually quite a few alternatives to wood decking available. We also showcase some interesting decking options that you probably haven't considered. Here at Keystone Custom Decks, we encourage all of our customers to get capped composite decking for their decks and porches. Wooden decks long-term durability depends on water-proof sealant or stain being regularly applied, often every several years.

If you live in an area with humid and rainy weather, having a wooden deck isn’t the best idea. Of course, you can still find quality wooden boards that can withstand the harsh conditions, but going composite is simply more rewarding. So, now when we have a general idea about what wood and composite decking is, we can start the comparison. Just as the name suggests, wood decking is all about natural wood. You can choose between many different wood types, and it’s generally a great decking solution. Of course, the wood is treated with chemicals during the manufacturing process so it can withstand and resist all kinds of external damages. Finally, composite wood tends to have fewer options on the cosmetic side.

The composite boards can be both hollow or solid, with hollow being of lesser quality – holding moisture leads to warping and deconstruction of the material. A hardwood decking should have class 1 – otherwise it’s not worth the money and its maintenance costs will very soon outpass the initial investment. However, let’s examine the details between both wood and composite deckings and ultimately give you an overview on which one to choose for your new porch or terrace.

What Is The Most Durable Decking Material?

Therefore, it’s probably going to be cheaper and safer for you to look around at what’s on the market rather than diving straight into pre-treatment. For composite-material decks, no refinishing is required, but the materials can become hosts for mold if they are not cleaned at least every three or four years. If you want the natural route, go with a weather-resistant wood such as cedar or redwood. These types of decks have a beautiful look-and-feel and resist warping, cracking or other weather damage. Redwood is usually more expensive than cedar and in general, these types of decks come in at about three times the price of treated lumber. A deck can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years if made from untreated wood and can last as long as 50 years for treated wood or composite materials.

Whats In Composite Decking?

On average, a pressure-treated wood deck will cost between $15 to $25 per square foot including installation. A composite deck will cost $30 to $45 per square foot installed.

In fact, over the past several years, composite decking has turned into the fastest-growing decking material for residential homes. Keep reading to learn the differences between wood and composite lumber and find out what the best decking material is for your home. as above, i know composite is more expensive, but are there any pros/cons of it? We were considering 2 levels of patio but ive laid decking previously so this would save loads on labour costs. If you have your heart set on decking and upgrading your garden, then there are plenty of ways to look for a cheaper option than decking in treated wood. It might mean that you need to compromise on a few factors, however, think carefully about what great value means to you. While it may be a cheaper option than decking, it’s likely to offer more of a slip risk, and plenty of people will agree that a decking just looks nicer by design.

Plenty of decking packs and raw materials are perfectly easy to work with on the whole. Therefore, you could save yourself hundreds by just picking up the tools and materials yourself and looking into a cheap online guide. Therefore, if you do want to treat your wood decking – I’m going to sound harsh here – do it yourself. There’s a lot of talk around as to whether or not treatment chemicals are harmful, too.