Composite decking is known as a durable, low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood. If you’re a Columbus homeowner, this guide explains everything you need to know before investing in composite decking.
People choose composite decks as compared to wood decks due to its low maintenance feature. Because low maintenance means less-effort and more enjoyment with family outside. It’s a perfect alternative to wood-decks.
The composite decks are more eco-friendly as compared to wood-decks, Because they can be recycled. And the recycled material of composite decks perform better as compared to traditional wood, because of its modern technology for incredible durability.
For a high-quality decking installation in Columbus, Ohio, that will last for many years, Composite decking is recommended by many manufacturers.
Let’s explore below guides to dig deep, how it’s a perfect choice for you to invest in,
What is composite decking?
Composite decking is known as building floors for outside of your house to enjoy with family and friends. Composite boards are created by combining wood with plastic. And when it comes to the creating process, these boards can be made from recycled material of plastic products, if we talk about wood particles, we can use Sawdust, wooden chips, or fiber particles. That’s why composite decking is environmentally friendly. And these board comes with more variety of styles, and also these are more environmental friendly
Which Type of Composite Decking Is Best for Your Home?
There are three different types of composite decking provided below. Let’s get started to explore which type is suitable for you.
Why Choose Wood Plastic Composite Decking for Your Home?
The wood composite decking is made by mixing wood and plastic, typically consisting of 40 to 60% wood and 40 to 60% material of plastic, while exact ratio depends on the manufacturer. This combination makes it stronger compared to traditional wood decking. The plastic component helps make it waterproof, insect-resistant, and low-maintenance, offering a more durable and enjoyable option for outdoor spaces.
What Is Capped Composite Decking (Co-Extruded Decking) and Why Choose It?
Capped composite decking is a kind of composite decking that has an extra protective coating. This coating is made of durable plastic, which helps protect the decking boards from scratches, moisture, and fading. Additionally, the coating enhances the appearance of the decking and helps it last longer.
What’s the Difference Between Solid and Hollow Decking?
Before the arrival of Hollow decking, solid decking was really suitable for busy residential areas, like shops or offices, or the spaces with a lot of traffic or frequent use. Because it can handle heavy loads of foot falls. On the other hand, Hollow composite boards are getting better with the variety of hollows to compete with solid decking boards. As they are getting improved, each individual board can handle the weight and pressure of 11000 pounds before it breaks. Which is equal to 5 tonnes. Although Hollow decking boards are lighter as compared to solid boards, help us to reduce the labor cost and are easy to install.
What Are the Key Benefits of Composite Decking?
There are many benefits of composite decking, some of them important benefits here we have listed below.
- The composite decks come with a vast range of design, It helps you to increase the beauty of your floor.
- Composite decking does not warp (bend), rot (decay), or fade (lose color) like traditional wood, Which means that they have a long lifespan, that’s why these are budget friendly.
- Composite decking boards are easy to clean, because all you need to do is quickly spray it with water using a hose to rinse off the surface of a composite deck to keep it clean.
- The materials used in composite decking are designed to be smooth, which helps prevent splinters. Unlike traditional wood, you won’t have to worry about small, sharp pieces breaking off. which can get stuck in the skin and cause pain especially for little babies and puppies.
- It comes with textured surfaces, which helps to make it less slippery. This is a good feature for those who are careful about their safety.
- Using the recycled material of plastic and wood particles to make the composite decking, help us to control the environmental pollution.
- Unlike traditional wood decking, there is no need to seal the composite decking to protect it from moisture or from sunlight, and that’s why it’s also cost effective.
- Homeowners don’t need to make an effort for cleaning or sealing or any other maintenance. It helps them to have more fun with their families. Also it’s cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
- Many companies now use a strong plastic shell to make composite boards more durable. More durability means a longer lifespan, which helps us to save money.
What Are the Key Drawbacks of Composite Decking?
These below are the drawbacks of composite decking.
- Up-front cost of composite decking is higher because to make it more durable and stylish with a variety of designs, manufacturers use advanced technologies, which can increase the production costs.
- Although composite decking is not made of natural wood, While it comes with a lot more benefits like durability, more designs to have a beautiful look, low maintenance, that’s why it’s a good choice.
- Permanent colors-No repainting Because Composite decking boards come with permanent colors and no repainting, they aren’t customizable so it’s not perfect for those who want to customize colors, and want to repaint them.
What is the cost of composite decking in Columbus, Ohio?
Composite decking boards cost according to size in Columbus, Ohio minimum is $14.99 and higher is $31.99, Its upfront price is higher than many other decking types because of its durability. It can last for many decades. Just like other types of deckings it can also be more costly, when you want to install it at second-story. Because at second-story labor work is hard. But the Ground-level decking is cost effective.
It’s also a cost effective option, when it comes to maintenance, there is no need to perform sealing or staining for composite decking, which we mostly find in wood-decking.
Composite Decking Estimated costs with installation, according to the size of decking boards.
The cost greatly depends on size and the deck builders in Columbus that you chose for the job.
| SIZE | COST |
| 100 Sq. ft | $3000 – $3200 |
| 200 Sq. ft | $6100 – $6400 |
| 400 Sq. ft | $12200 – $12800 |
| 600 Sq. ft | $18200 – $19300 |
| 800 Sq. ft | $24300 – $25700 |
| 1000 Sq. ft | $30400 – $32100 |
Overall it’s the best option for decking, if you want to prevent heavy maintenance and its expenses, and want to enjoy more with your family and friends or any kind of meeting. It’s also an eco-friendly option, because there is no use of any chemicals like pressure-treated wood decking.
What Are the Best Tips for Installing Composite Decking?
- First of all you need to have proper instruments for this job, Which you have from the hardware stores, or you can have them at rent.
- To ensure your installation of composite decking, you need to build a substructure to make it safe and more durable over the years.
- Protect your substructure with joist tape. Since manufactures use the traditional timber to build substructure, using the joist tape protects it from moisture.
- Consideration before installing the composite deck-boards Composite decking increases and shrinks throughout the length of it when temperature increases or decreases. So, cut your composite deck boards just before installation to prevent length variations.
- Give your deck a finished look with fascia, The fascia are the boards that go around the outer edge of your deck, hiding the rim joists from view. It allows us to give a finished look to our composite decking installation process.
Is composite decking worth it as compared to traditional wood decking? Final thoughts
In conclusion, composite decking proves to be a valuable investment when compared to traditional wood decking. While traditional wood offers a natural, classic look with customizable features, it requires regular maintenance such as sealing and staining to protect it from weathering and wear. Over time, deck repairs can add to the overall cost, even though wood decking may seem budget-friendly at first.
On the other hand, composite decking offers significant advantages in terms of durability and low maintenance. It doesn’t require sealing or staining. Which helps homeowners to save money and effort. Simple cleaning with soap and water is enough to keep it looking great, and its resistance to rot, weathering, and insect damage ensures a longer lifespan. Although the initial cost of composite decking may be higher, the reduced need for ongoing maintenance makes it a more cost-effective choice in the long run. If you are looking for decking contractor in Columbus that offers composite decking, contact Window Depot Columbus East for a free quote.