Is Composite Decking Cheaper Than Wood Decking?
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Nowadays, the choice between both comes down to your own budget and personal preferences. While they often cost more than wood, composite materials offer the promise of greater durability and less maintenance. Wood is still the most common choice for deck material,1 but it doesn't last forever.
- The primary drawback to composite decking is arguably the higher price tag.
- In view of the purchase cost of decks, wood flooring is usually cheaper than composite decking.
- Most decks require a full on retreatment consisting of sanding, cleaning, staining or painting and sealing every two to five years.
- At $30-$45 per square foot for installation, the costs can rack up fast when compared to $15-$25 for natural wood.
Wood Decks Vs Composite Decks
The cost of materials for Aluminum comes in at an average of around $10 per square foot, and depending upon the results that you are looking for aluminum may be the choice. Rust and rot free, Aluminum provides a lasting deck that needs little maintenance and upkeep. While a bit more pricey than wood, the life of Aluminum pays for itself over time. Considered the most durable decking material on the market, Aluminum does not succumb to rot, mold, termites, or rust.
Now, Lets Talk About Composite Decking:
It comes with varieties of designs as well in comparison to wood decking. If you prefer to save yourself the trouble of oiling your deck, then go with composite materials. With installation methods varying, the most popular one is using pre-drilled boards. One of the cheapest hardwood materials, pre-drilled and with basic design, will cost anywhere between £190 and £220 per square meter.
The Materials for Making a Modern Deck
Water could intrude between the wood fibers and plastic components separating them. Pressure washing is not usually recommended for composite decking. Pressure washing too close or using too much pressure can be ruinous for your deck.
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Decks Vs Patios: Which Option Is Cheaper?
Composite decking material is softer than natural wood and therefore can be “etched†more easily. On top of this, we also donate 10% of all profits to the Rainforest Trust UK to help become a carbon negative business. Finally, there’s the hidden cost of the environmental damage that wooden decks cause to our planet. Adding a deck to your home is a great way to make the most of your outdoor space. But not all decking material is created equal, and you may be torn between natural wood or composite, a material designed to mimic the look of wood.
I’ve put together a quick guide to look at how you can reduce the cost of your garden makeover. Both wood and composite materials come in low and high quality, so cost or quality is not the only factor. It's commonly known that composite materials require less maintenance, hence, their cost is usually higher. But they do require some maintenance, and other factors come into play as well. Let's look at some of the issues involved in choosing the right deck material for your deck.
Wood decks have much higher maintenance requirements and don’t last as long as composite decking materials. There’s no such thing as a perfect decking material, and that includes composite decking. The largest hurdle is the upfront cost, because composite materials cost more than real wood. Everyone wants beautiful, natural-looking decking and nothing accomplishes that more than real hardwood decking.
Is Composite Decking Cheaper Than Wood Decking?
Wood decking may stay cooler in the heat of the sun than composite decking, but it can still get hot. However, composite decking can withstand higher temperatures with less expansion and contraction. One contractor even tested it out and found that DuraLife’s composite decking is one of the coolest deck boards on the market. It doesn’t get as hot as other composite decking materials because it has a polypropylene plastic cap, which doesn’t heat up as much as other plastics, like polyethylene or PVC.
Deck builders experiencing high demand, supply chain issues - Toledo Blade
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This is due to the fact that the better part of the composite mixture (around 60 to 80%) is made of pieces of wood. The rest of it is reserved for compounds, such as polyethylene, UV-stabilisers, pigments and so on. Therefore, this type of material is also known as WPC – wood polymer composite. Composite decking vs. wood, which is better for your deck project? There are pros and cons to both materials and plenty of options to choose from at the home improvement store. Whether you plan to DIY the deck yourself or hire a professional, it’s important to do your research before investing in any type of composite or wood products for your project. In this article we’ll take look at composite decking vs. wood to help you save time and money and make the best decision.
The rest in the list, while an option, aren’t terribly popular. Because it is wrapped in the vinyl sheathing, composite decking is easily cleaned with soap and water, and it won’t grow mold or mildew.