Are you thinking about adding a deck to your holiday home? Before you buy any decking materials, read this post.
While you may love the traditional look of a wood deck, it has some major flaws as a decking material.
For example, wood can warp and fade over time due to the elements. Not only that, but it also needs a fresh coat of water sealant and gallons of stain every year just to keep up its fresh appearance. If that wasn’t enough, it could cause splinters for you and your guests.
If wood isn’t an absolute must, you may want to consider high-performance composite decking. It offers the same benefits as traditional wood decking and more.
Here are a few good reasons why composite makes for a superior decking material over traditional wood.
What Is Composite Decking?
Composite decking is a manufactured building product that consists of a mix of wood fibres, plastics, and bonding agents. The product is heated to form long boards then is cooled.
Unlike plastic decking, composite decking looks more natural with wood grains and tones. In addition, composite decking offers a wide variety of styles and choices for colour to suit your style needs.
Durable and made to last, it’s naturally scratch-resistant and made to withstand the harsh elements of weather. In addition, it’s naturally resistant to mould and mildew and isn’t susceptible to rot damage from termites or other bugs.
While it can cost more than traditional wood decking, it is ultra-low maintenance and only requires cleaning for upkeep. In addition, composite decking isn’t susceptible to warping, cracking, fading, or splintering. That makes composite decking an ideal choice for many homeowners.
1. Wave Bye-Bye to Weathering, Warping, Splintering, and Fading
Although traditional wood decking materials look natural, they pale in comparison to the durability of composite decking. As a result, many people are starting to look to composite decking materials for their superior durability.
This is due to composite’s “capped” wood alternatives that resist many of the issues that traditional wood is susceptible to.
With composite decking, you never have to worry about:
- Weathering
- Warping
- Splintering
- Fading
You can’t say the same for traditional wood decking materials. Wet planters, dropped food, grill grease, rain, sleet, and snow, are no match to composites scientifically engineered decking materials.
These durable decking materials are made to last and look as beautiful as the day you installed them, even 25 years later!
2. Low Maintenance Design
Due to composite decking’s engineered design, it’s low maintenance.
With composite decking materials, you’ll never have to worry about getting on your hands and knees to stain your deck for that fresh look. Not only that, but also you won’t have to treat the decking materials with water-tight sealants.
Composite decking is naturally:
- Scratch-resistant
- Water-resistant
- Mould-resistant
Composite decking materials provide the same benefits as natural wood decking without all of the hassles. The only maintenance you have to worry about with composite decking is semi-annual cleaning.
3. Save Money Over a Lifetime
Due to composite decking’s superior durability, you’ll save money over the lifetime of your deck. Many composite decks are made to last 25-30 years.
While it’s true that composite decking is more expensive than traditional wood decking, the real cost savings comes five, ten, and even twenty years later. Maintenance costs can add up over time. While wood decking breaks down over time, composite decking looks as new as the day you installed it.
You’ll save money on:
- Staining costs
- Water sealant costs
- Maintenance and replacement cost
Because composite decking is naturally water-resistant, you’ll never have to worry about the harsh elements. So rather than putting money back into your original investment years after installation, you pay once and reap the benefits of superior durability for a lifetime with composite decking.
4. Prevent Mould and Mildew
Composite decks are scientifically engineered to resist mould and mildew. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for traditional wood decks.
In fact, with traditional wood, you’ll have to spend money every couple of years to maintain its water-tight seal. Meanwhile, composite decking materials have warranties of up to 25 years from mould and mildew protection.
5. Lasts Longer
While traditional wood decking lasts 15 years to 30 years with proper maintenance, composite decks last between 25 to 30 years and often come with a lifetime guarantee.
Not only that but also, wood is susceptible to rot and damage from bugs, like termites. Composite decking materials don’t have that issue.
While your wood deck may last up to 30 years with proper maintenance, that maintenance comes with a price. The only maintenance composite decking materials need is semi-annual cleaning. Compare that to wood, and it’s a no-brainer.
Proper maintenance to wood decking requires:
- Sanding
- Sealing
- Staining
- Painting
- Cleaning
Not only that, but you may also have to replace a board here and there to keep your deck looking like new or to protect it from warping, mould, or other issues. Composite decking lasts that same amount of time without the need for continuous maintenance to look like new.
Composite Decking: The Number One Choice for Decking Materials
When it comes to superior decking materials, there really is only one choice — composite decking. Ultra-low maintenance, durable, and made to last, it is superior to traditional wood decking materials that are susceptible to warping, rotting, and the harsh elements of the weather.
For more information about the superior quality of composite decking for your North Yorkshire home, trust the professionals at Caravan Decking. Contact us today for design ideas, pricing and to book your installation.
