There’s nothing like lounging in the sun in your favorite chair listening to your friends talk about future plans they’re excited about and hearing children laughing and playing in the yard or pool, all while there are hamburgers and hotdogs sizzling on the outdoor grill. Do you know what this scene still needs? A beautiful composite deck to enjoy it all on. But why composite?
Composite decks are environmentally friendly, require far less maintenance than traditional decks, resist damage effectively, come in a variety of styles, and are safer for bare feet. These are just to name a few benefits.
If you want to understand why composite decking is the perfect choice to allow you and your family and guests a comfortable time in the backyard, keep reading! There are at least seven good reasons to choose composite!
There is Far Less Maintenance
I know this is something you read in every article talking about composite decking, but that’s just because it’s true and it’s the greatest benefit a deck can offer! Let’s just take a look between the composite decking and its classic wood counterpart. Without regular maintenance, wood decking falls apart, cracks, splinters, and warps. The regular tasks you have to do to maintain your wood deck include
- Staining/painting
- Resealing
- Sanding
- Inspection for rot and pests
- Whole board replacement for severely warped boards
- Pressure washing
- Scrubbing the deck with oxygen bleach
- Spot cleaning
Pressure or chemically treated wood also requires regular care like,
- Initial sealing and subsequent resealing
- Sweeping
- Spot cleaning with an all-purpose cleaner
Meanwhile, composite decking doesn’t require refinishing with stain or paint, sanding, or even inspection for rot and insects. Because it’s a composite comprised of recycled wood and plastic, it isn’t vulnerable to these things. All it needs in regular care is sweeping and spot cleaning with TimberTech’s DeckCleaner™. Every now and then it might need power washing, but other than that, there’s nothing you need to worry about.
It Has High Durability
We might as well get the benefits you always hear about out of the way, right? How do you distinguish a deck’s durability? By how resistant it is to various kinds of damage that decks are going to be subjected to in your yard. These abuses include things like,
- UV radiation
- Heavy foot traffic
- Rain and snow
- Insects looking for a new home
Decks, especially wood and treated wood, are susceptible to termites and other wood burrowing/eating pests. If they aren’t sealed right or periodically every 1-3 years, they are liable to rot from water damages.
Warping can easily occur also after just a few years with enough sun, especially after heavy rain or snowfall, and with warping comes cracked boards as the wood twists against the nails fighting to keep them in place. Finally, the weathering, mandatory cleaning, and heavy foot traffic throughout the year will wear out the finish and produce painful splinters.
Composite decks are virtually indestructible and TimberTech, in particular, prides itself on amazing composite quality. While wood decks might last a decade or 15 years with really good maintenance, and chemically treated wood decks can last between 20-30 years, the composite lasts for 50 years!
You Can Use Hidden Fasteners
Fasteners are a part of the installation process for decking. Their entire purpose is to keep the boards in place at either end of the deck, which is very important, but they can look ugly and out of place with the deck’s design.
Thankfully, composite decks can be installed with hidden fasteners, and there’s no shortage in their designs, making it so that they are never noticed. Each composite decking company has uniquely-designed boards, so they have to create equally unique fasteners to fit properly. TimberTech alone has four different fasteners available.
These fasteners present a clean, screw-free appearance and can be installed with a regular drill. The other benefit to this is there are no screws rusting on top of your deck.
It’s Environmentally Friendly
As we hinted at a moment ago, composite decking is more environmentally friendly than plastic or wood decks because it’s made from recycled plastic and reclaimed old wood and sawdust.
This is a welcome change as no trees are taken down for the sole purpose of making decks while any part of the trunk that doesn’t meet quality standards, the dust from cutting the wood, and wood that was thrown out from old homes and other buildings are all wasted.
Even the plastic used by TimberTech is collected from post-consumer plastic waste to take something ugly and make something beautiful and sustainable. 80% of their boards are made from recycled materials.
Creates a Safer Patio
A patio is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors with the pleasure of not having to put your shoes on to avoid sharp rocks, any glass or metal, or stepping on something gross. However, they can turn out to be just as painful to step on, or even worse as they get older. Wood decks can splinter over time, making them terribly uncomfortable to walk on until you are hopping from board to board on the spots that aren’t as damaged.
Some patios are dangerous from the start. Decks that are entirely made of plastic can become slippery very easily, forcing everyone to look like their 90-years old as you slowly shuffle your way across.
Thankfully, composites are made with non-slip wood grain textures that give you plenty of gripping, and because they are composites, there’s no fear of having splinters ever! The only thing that composites suffer from is getting hot in the sun, especially if the deck is a dark color. If the deck color you choose is on the lighter side, the heat isn’t as bad. TimberTech’s Azek selection also stays cooler than other composites.
There’s a Style for Everyone
The concern many people have about looking at composite decking is that they won’t have many options to choose from, especially with the color. Don’t worry, TimberTech has a range of neutral colors and shades such as,
- Weathered teak
- Dark hickory
- Mahogany
- English walnut
- Coastline
- White oak
- Castle gage
- And more
You might be thinking that other decking materials will let you change the colors whenever you want while composite decks have to stay the same color. This is a valid argument.
Since composite decks are designed to last for decades, there isn’t much of a chance to switch colors or finishes, but there are plenty of other ways to freshen up the look of a deck such as with seasonal furniture cushions, doormats, runners, new plants, etc.
Long Warranties
Lastly, a property owner can’t decide on any deck without making sure there’s a warranty to assure you that your deck will last as long as it should, and TimberTech is so confident in the quality of their products that they offer a 25, 30, or 50-year warranty with your decking purchase. The time span of the warranty depends on which product you choose.
The TimberTech EDGE has a 25-year warranty, then it’s the TimberTech PRO, and finally the TimberTech Azek. Warranties are available with other companies to and will usually start at 20 years.
Conclusion
In short, although composite decks are on the expensive side, they quickly pay for themselves with nearly zero maintenance needs and long life spans. Hopefully, this list gave you a good idea of what you might be looking for in the qualities of your deck so that you can fully enjoy your summer!
And if you’re living in the Northern Colorado or Southern Wyoming area and need some help planning and putting in your new deck then give us a call here at TNT Home Improvements today at 970-663-2868 or visit the deck services page and fill out the contact form to have a team member get back with you.
