Composite Material vs. Real Wood Decks
Composite Material vs. Real Wood Decks
1. What are the pros and cons of composite and real wood decks?
Good question and one which has an answer that could take all day
for a detailed response. We will summarize our feelings below, but if you still
have questions, CONTACT US and we will gladly discuss your
concerns.
Composite decks tend to grow mold and mildew and show
“spotting” from such more than wood... this is the biggest downside we see to
composite deck materials. There are numerous civil lawsuits regarding some well
known (e.g., TREX, Choice Deck) composite deck manufactures, and it now appears that mold and
mildew issues are an industry wide challenge. Some composite decks need to be
cleaned 2 or 3 times a year as a result of mold and mildew, but the cleaning is
quite simple.
Composite decks stain a lot easier than real wood. If you drop
hamburgers and such on your deck during outings on the deck, you will likely
have permanent stains unless you attend to the stain quite promptly. Simple Green or routine dish soap works well for grease stains, but be sure to rinse the soap off. Keeping a small spray bottle of Simple Green on your deck is a good precaution.
Composite decks tend to get very hot (temperature wise) in the summer when the sun hits
them... to the point where you cannot walk on them barefoot. They are more
expensive than wood, but they do not require sealing or staining.
Finally, composite decks are much more dimensionally stable than wood, meaning they won’t warp, twist, peel, or
splinter like wood.
So what about real wood you ask? Well, it is our opinion,
that nothing beats the appearance of a well maintained deck finished in a
natural wood tone penetrating stain. If pure aesthetics is what you like, wood
can meet that goal. However, to maintain such a deck appearance requires continued
maintenance, which can become considerable in cost. Most natural finishes
require a cleaning and reapplication of the finish every two years, but with
time and correct maintenance you may be able to stretch it to three years.
Don’t expect more than two to three years in most cases with natural wood finishes.
Costs
to construct a real wood deck, unless it’s a nice quality cedar or redwood, are
significantly less than a composite deck, however, when the cost to clean and
refinish the wood deck are factored in, a composite deck is significantly
cheaper in the long run. If long term cost is a consideration, wood is not
the answer.
The big downside to a real wood deck is that if the deck is
neglected, it will twist, crack, or splinter and this often results in a lack of
future usefulness of the deck. Wood decks also do not like to be used around
hot tubs and swimming pools as the constant application of water and pool chemicals
is not good for the wood or the finish.
The choice to have a wood or a composite deck is not given to
everyone. Most homeowners buy their house with whatever kind of deck was
already present. However, if you are replacing an existing deck or building a new deck,
Hydro Scrub cautions you to become as educated as you can and do not rush your
decision. Your decision should be based on whether you will do your own
maintenance to the deck, how long you plan to remain at the house, how you plan to use
your deck, and the long term cost of maintenance.
Hydro Scrub provides services in Berks, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton Counties, including the following areas:
Alburtis, Allen, Allentown, Ancient Oaks, Bally, Barto, Bechtelsville, Bethlehem, Boyertown,
Breiningsville, Catasaqua, Center Valley, Cetronia, Coopersburg, Coplay, Dorneyville,
East Allen, East Greenville, East Texas, Easton, Emmaus, Fogelsville, Fountain Hill,
Freemansburg, Green Lane, Guthsville, Hanover, Heidelberg, Hellertown, Hereford, Ironton, Kuhnsville,
Kutztown, Limeport, Lower Macungie, Lower Milford, Lower Nazareth, Lower Saucon,
Longswamp, Lowhill, Macungie, Maxatawny, Mechanicsville, Mertztown, Neffs,
North Catasaqua, North Whitehall,
Northampton, Orefield, Palm, Pennsburg, Red Hill, Salisbury, Schnecksville,
Shimerville, Slatington, South Whitehall,
Summit Lawn, Topton, Trexlertown, Upper Macungie, Upper Milford, Upper Saucon, Vera Cruz,
Weisenberg, Whitehall, Whitehall, and Zionsville. Zip codes serviced include: 18011, 18017, 18018, 18025, 18031, 18032, 18034, 18036, 18037, 18041, 18049, 18051, 18052,
18053, 18054, 18055, 18056, 18060, 18067, 18068, 18069, 18070, 18073, 18076, 18078, 18080, 18092, 18101, 18102, 18103, 18104, 18105, 18106, 18195, 19503, 19505, 19530, 19539.
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Hydro Scrub | PO Box 552, Macungie, PA 18062 | Phone: 610-966-3500 | Contact Us | 
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