COMPOSITE VS. WOOD: WHICH BUILDS THE BETTER DECK?
Adding a deck to your home can create a beautiful space for outdoor living and hosting. They’re perfect for anything from summer barbecues to casual evenings. But depending on where you live, what you desire and your available budget, the decking material that best suits your needs may differ.
The top two options are wood and composite materials. Both are viable choices for most people, each with their upsides and downsides. Until the recent growth in popularity of composite materials, using wood has been the standard. Now, both are competitive options in residential and commercial settings. So, which option is best for you? Our comprehensive comparison will help you decide whether wood or composite materials will make a better deck, based on the benefits, costs, appearance and quality of each type of decking.
The Basics of Composite and Wood Decking
While both materials serve the same purpose, they are each made differently and have varying properties. Composite is made from recycled wood or bamboo and plastic materials, ground and densely compacted into board shapes.
The wood is often sawdust or chips from lumber mills, and the plastics are from recycling centers, making composite decking up to 95% recycled material. After machinery compresses it into planks, the material is sealed, or capped, with a polymer coating, which protects the boards from warping, fading, splintering, rotting and destructive insects. Generally, it is easy and fast to put together — meaning you can enjoy your deck sooner — and will last for years with little maintenance or hassle.
Wood decking comes in many different varieties, in terms of quality and cost. The most common and least expensive option is pressure-treated pine, which is manufactured with chemicals to increase the softer wood’s lifespan. Pine is followed by the middle options of redwood and cedar, then the most costly but highest quality choice, the tropical hardwood ipe. Known as the classic option, wood has a natural, traditional feel to it, and with the proper upkeep and treatment, can last a relatively long time. Some of the varieties perform better than others in terms of weather and rot resistance and are better suited to specific climates, so it’s essential to research before deciding.
Benefits of Composite Decking
While it is a newer material, recycled composite decking has become a popular choice for outdoor decks — and with plenty of good reasons. Over time and with increasing popularity, the performance of composite materials has improved. Manufacturing processes changed to better respond to the issues of natural wood, all while maintaining its sustainability and appearance. Other benefits of using composite materials include:
1. Resistance to Aging
Despite being partially made of wood, composite materials stand up to sun exposure, weather and destructive insects far better than regular wood planks. The protective polymer seal coating every inch of the boards prevents any fading, rotting, splintering, cracking or structural damage from bugs, all of which are issues with natural wood. Using composite is safer for you, children and pets, so you can feel free to walk barefoot anytime.
2. Long Life With Low Maintenance
While many wood options require sanding, sealant and staining treatments on a yearly or bi-yearly basis, the most you’ll ever have to do for composite decking is to give it a good scrub with some cleaner and water to be sure mold doesn’t grow. If any accidental spills occur, all you have to do is wipe the spill up as you would on a kitchen floor. Spills won’t stain or sink in, and composite decking is resistant even to red wine. Otherwise, you can rest easy knowing your deck will live on without weather damage.
3. Cost-effectiveness
The cost of composite decking may be higher than most wood alternatives, but the value of the product is better. You’ll spend far less money and time on maintenance and your deck will still outlive those made from lumber. It may be more costly up front, but the longevity and convenience will make that extra money more than worth it. In the long run, you may actually end up saving money in comparison to installing a wood deck.
4. Sustainable Sourcing
Recycled from wood scraps and plastic, composite materials are sustainable and environmentally friendly. They prevent further deforestation and promote reclaiming and reusing materials, saving trees and keeping plastics and lumber out of landfills. Unlike wood, they also require no chemical treatment, keeping harmful toxins out of the environment.
5. Visual Appeal
In its early days, composite lumber looked much more like plastic than wood. Now, with new technologies and better manufacturing processes, the material appears much more natural, including different color finishes similar to a variety of wood types and grain patterns that mimic real ones. Some manufacturers are also working on making the capped composite physically feel more like natural wood. As time passes, composites will only get closer to matching the beauty of a real wood deck. With so many positives, it’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing to build their new decks out of recycled composite decking. Between the quick installation time and little necessary maintenance, you’ll be able to spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your favorite new spot for reading, sipping coffee or relaxing.
Benefits of Wood Decking
Many people consider natural wood to be the top — or only — option for their decks, and it isn’t difficult to see why. Wood materials have been the long-time standard of deck builders and homeowners. The natural grain and finish of a brand new wood deck is classically beautiful and can provide a homey and warm feeling. There are also a few benefits to choosing natural wood materials, including:
1. Affordability
Of every option for decking material, pressure-treated pine is easily the most affordable. Cedar and redwood planks may also be less costly than composite materials, depending on the availability in the area where you live. For example, in California, redwood is an abundant source, so it is much cheaper than for someone on the east coast.
2. Customization
Wood requires stain and sealant protection, which can be a hassle, but also means you can customize the color of your deck each time it needs treatment. You have the freedom to try out different stain tints, or even paint it in bright, bold colors if you’d like. Additionally, you may also have more freedom of design and specialized sizing in the initial building process.
3. Weather Resistance
With proper treatment and maintenance, wood decks can last a long while. You can finish them to deter mold and insects, be less absorbent and resist fading from the sun. Using the right processes and chemicals for the wood you choose is critical, but as long as you have the right finishes and stains and reapply them every year or so, you’ll get the most for your money.
4. Natural Beauty
Using wood is, for some people, the only option in terms of looks. A deck made entirely of redwood or imported ipe is durable and beautiful, and even the lower grade pressure treated options look more natural than composites and plastics. There’s a reason wood is the classic decking material. As long as it is correctly maintained and finished, natural wood will mostly keep its luster throughout years of use. It’s no surprise that some homeowners still prefer wood decks over a lower maintenance option. Some people may enjoy the necessary upkeep or see it as a way to freshen up their yard each year. Others may be attracted to the lower initial cost, more comfortable with spending money each year than dropping a larger amount at once. Either way, both wood and composites have distinct benefits, all of which are important to consider in designing a new deck or replacing an old one.
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