Composite Decking Slippery In Winter

Winner: Trex

In addition, composite decking materials can be milled and cut just like wood decking. Most manufacturers offer fade and stain warranties of up to 25 years. If you can find a product that goes beyond this timeframe, then that material should jump to the top of the list of preferences for your composite decking. Increased heat levels can also cause some of the materials in the composite decking can cause some of the materials to become more flexible. This disadvantage can cause the boards to move out of their fasteners over time. If you accidentally spill hot cooking grease on your composite decking, then there is an excellent chance that the plastic in this product will melt. You won’t want to grill on this deck either for the same reason.

Some types are solid and heavy, while others are hollow and lighter weight. And because much of this decking can be cut, shaped, and fastened almost like wood , building with it is just as easy. Prices are competitive with those for cedar or redwood, but expect to pay 15 to 20 percent more than for pressure-treated pine. For all the lounging done on them, wood decks require a lot of work to maintain. When paint or stain fades and chalks because of the weather, they need to be recoated.

Does Trex Or Timbertech Actually Honor Their Warranty?

Since both products are nearly identical, for us it’s all about the style, price and color options. It’s a tough decision to make and really depends on the individual. The difference between the two brands is very slim without any major drawbacks or advantages.If you have any questions or comments e-mail us any time. Never paint or stain over dirty surfaces or surfaces with mold and mildew.

Aside from the material finish, the slip-resistance of your deck area is determined by your board’s resistance to organic growth such as algae, mould and mildew. Year after year of moisture build up allows this nasty organic growth to multiply and ensure that the finish on any outdoor surface is not only unsightly, but slippery too.

And some products, particularly the hollow ones, make a noisy clatter when walked on. "It's just too 'plastic-y' for many people," says Marc Richmond, project manager for the Green Builder program in Austin, Texas. Sunlight will fade the color of a plastic deck board and eventually cause its surface to turn chalky. "A redwood-color deck can become too hot to walk on barefoot," says Cynthia Kravitz, vice president of Phoenix Recycled Plastics.

You should also take into account composite decking brand reviews to see which brand on the market would be the best option for your home, budget and taste. If you seek the durability of composite and the affordability of wood, opt for Basics. This long-lasting decking requires little upkeep and comes in three traditional colors. Trex Enhance® Basics offer fade and stain protection, as well as enhanced mold and mildew resistance, to make maintenance simple. And because the boards are scalloped, they’re as lightweight as lumber, without the extra work. The pros and cons of composite decking show that this material is useful in a variety of different situations. You can simulate the look and feel of natural wood while preserving the environment and reducing your maintenance needs.

Avoid Deck Rot With Flashing Tape

Add Sand To Your Deck Sealer Or Stain

If your deck seems to be slippery too often, then the problem might be what it is or isn’t coated with. Many decks are painted with normal paint or stained with a regular wood stain. While this might look great, it’s not the best choice when it comes to providing traction and grip. All types of decking will get slippery when icy, but composite decking seems to worsen in winter than natural wood. TimberTech AZEK products are high-quality, premium lines, perhaps the best of all the composite decking manufacturers, with a limited warranty of 50 years. Additional product lines include TimberTech Pro (with 30-year warranties) and TimberTech Edge (25-year warranties).

• The first products were made from old shipping pallets and recycled milk cartons, advertised as being something that was 100% resistant to rot.
• "If you have any concern with slipperiness, go with a rough-textured composite," says Dr. Prabhat Krishnaswami, vice chair of an ASTM committee on plastic lumber standards.
• "Most plastic boards are smoother on top than composites, which have a rough texture to improve slip resistance," he says.
• One concern about nonwood decking is how slippery it can be when wet.
• “If you have any concern with slipperiness, go with a rough-textured composite,” says Dr. Prabhat Krishnaswami, vice chair of an ASTM committee on plastic lumber standards.

Most manufacturers in this industry call for 16 inches on the center framing for straight runs. If you opt for diagonal runs, then you need 12 inches on the framing. Despite the added weight of this recycled product, it does not usually have the same strength as pressure-treated or natural wood. That means your home could struggle to support this installation and the deck itself may not be as supportive of your needs as you hoped it might be. Depending on your market costs, composite decking could be as much as five times more expensive than using pressure-treated wood for your building needs. Another key benefit to consider when choosing composite decking over real wood is the fact that you can find a lot of color options available. Most manufacturers provide a series of brown, gray, and tan colors to complement the classic Earth tones that a natural wood product would provide.

With TimberTech you can build a dream wood-composite deck with confidence. Available products include wood-plastic composite, capped composite, and PVC composite, all available in earth or other natural tones. TimberTech maintains its color and elegance for years without the need of annual painting or staining. And it resists mildew, warping and insects, removing the need to replace rotting, uneven or termite-damaged boards.

Timbertech Composite Decking Color Chart

Plus, most composite products are backed by extended warranties. If you start building a deck from composite materials, then you’ll still need to use pressure-treated wood to maximize the lifespan of the construction. Composite decking is not useful as a structural product. If you don’t use pressure-treated lumber, then the lifespan of the deck is going to be less because the wood will rot out from underneath the boards on top of it eventually. You’ll want to make sure your contractor is not cutting corners on this step by using natural wood with a water-resistant stain.