All Hands On Deck: Wood Or Composite?

Choosing the right decking that complements the interior or the landscape of your townhouse is worth careful consideration. Wood decking provides a natural finish that brings the environment closer to you. Composite decking, on the other hand, comes in a variety of finishes that mimic wood. Are these two options the same? How does one compare to the other? Before you make a choice, how about consulting others who have had an experience using either of the two. This should provide a better insight that will help you get more value for your money.

Cost versus quality

The cost of decking is often compared to the value being proposed. For instance, low priced composite decking fades gradually under the sun's heat. High priced composite decking, on the other hand, comes with added surface properties such as UV resistance and Scratch resistance, and thus maintain more surface quality over a long period of time. Similarly, cheap wooden decks made of pine are attractive at first, but the pine chips along the edges and the boards may also twist and warp slightly over time. The higher grade mahogany decking has a superior finish, which means it doesn't require staining to preserve quality over time. However, you can stain it according to your preference.

It's important to note that companies price their timber supplies differently. For this reason, the price of a custom composite decking will vary from one supplier to the other.

Installing and resurfacing the decks

The composite lumbers must be sufficiently supported to prevent bowing and warping. The boards are drilled before installation and overlapped. Hot-melt glue is run across the joint and pressed, then finished off with a nail set.Skilled workmanship is necessary to achieve a good quality finish. Sufficient space should be left between the deck plates to allow for expansion. The composite deck cannot be resurfaced.

Wood goes through the same process, but the deck doesn't have to be pre-drilled. The spacing between the deck plates can also be much smaller because wood doesn't expand as much. The pre-treated wooden decks are laid out in patterns and a nail gun is used to secure them in position.

Care and maintenance

To determine the right time to stain wood, sprinkle a few drops of water to see how fast it is absorbed. If absorbed fast, then you can apply two or three layers of stain finish. Composite decks on the other hand only require a power spray using a garden hose and a light scrub every few months to leave a sparkling surface.

For more help deciding which deck material would be best for your needs, contact a supplier like Hayter's Timber & Paving.

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