Not All Composite Deck Boards Are Created Equal

Composite deck boards are the latest in permanent outdoor deck construction for the home. At one time considered maintenance-free, these newfangled building materials have been considered environmentally friendly. However, some types of composite decking are anything but permanent, or maintenance free.

For years, the most popular wood used in constructing outdoor decks has been redwood. However, most redwoods in the Western United States are literally hundreds of years old. The constant harvesting of these ancient trees has led to an environmental awakening. The redwood forests of America are being depleted at an alarming rate. Despite desperate attempts at replanting, it will take centuries to replace what has already been lost to the lumber industry. What has attempted to fill this void has been composite decking materials. However, not all composite decks are created equal.

Composite deck boards are made to mimic the look of natural wood. Made mostly of plastic resin, like a fiberglass, they have not stood up to the test of time. The argument for composite decking has always been that wood is high maintenance and subject to eventual decay. However, low quality composite deck boards have shown to be much less durable than wood. These plastic pieces of imitation lumber have been subject to fading, chipping and breaking. Unlike wood, composite material cannot be sanded or painted. Chemical cleaners are often used that contribute to the fading and they may actually contribute to weakening the boards themselves.

There are several forms of composite decking. The best has been found to be virgin vinyl. This type of composite decking does not contain wood pulp, as many vinyl decking products do. Virgin vinyl has been found to retain its resiliency and strength. This form of composite lumber mimics the look of wood better than any other product on the market today.

There are several choices for decking boards that can imitate wood. However, the quality and materials vary greatly. For the consumer, diligent research may be necessary. Especially, since the hope with outdoor composite deck boards is that they last as long as possible.

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