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By Jay Thompson
An outdoor deck is now almost as common on a house
as a living room or a bathroom, but decks can be a
real challenge to maintain. They need to be cleaned
at least once a year and sealed every two years. If
not, they disintegrate, becoming ugly and, more
importantly, unsafe.
While keeping to a yearly maintenance schedule
sounds simple enough, many people who are not handy
— or just don’t want to waste a day slaving over
their deck in the hot sun — will put it off until it
is too late.
If you are one of these people, you might want to
consider using composite wood decking in your next
deck.
Composite wood decking is typically a 50/50 blend of
recycled wood — sawdust, wood shavings, etc. — and
some form of recycled polyethylene or PVC plastic,
such as milk jugs or plastic bags. (This also makes
it an environmentally friendly alternative to
chemical-laden pressure treated lumber or endangered
woods like cedar, mahogany and redwood.)
The artificial nature of composite decks gives it an
engineered resistance to rot and insects, and
prevents it from cracking, splitting or weathering
like wood decks. It is much more resistant to sun
and moisture than regular wood, and does not require
staining, sanding or sealing.
Although the up-front cost may be more than pressure
treated wood, composite decking is often cheaper
than exotic woods. The costs even out over time,
since real wood alternatives require constant
upkeep.
Composite wood decking is typically a 50/50 blend of
recycled wood — sawdust, wood shavings, etc. — and
some form of recycled polyethylene or PVC plastic,
such as milk jugs or plastic bags.
Composite decks require no special assembly — they
use the same construction techniques as wooden decks
and, because of its 50 percent wood content, the
product has a wood-feel and workability. Keep in
mind, however, that composite decking is not
structurally rated. This means you must use "real"
wood (typically pressure-treated lumber) for the
supports and frame. A deck not built to
manufacturer’s specifications might experience
sagging or drooping.
The color and texture of composite decking is
different from more traditional materials, although
the manufacturers are working on that. Currently the
colors that are available are white or earth tone
colors (such as brown, tan or gray) with a variety
of finishes. These colors will lighten over time, so
be sure to check with the manufacturer for an
approximation of the final color.
Most brands can be painted whatever color the
homeowner desires — although wood composites do not
absorb or retain paint and stain as well as natural
wood. (Do a test application of paint or stain
before applying.) Because of the difference between
wood and composite, most manufacturers sell matching
rails and trim.
Despite what some manufacturers imply, composite
decks are not truly maintenance-free. They stain
easily and any stain must be cleaned up quickly.
This is especially true in the case of grease —
which means homeowners must be careful when using a
barbecue grill.
Mold and mildew is another common problem. Even if
the deck appears to be clean, most manufacturers
suggest periodically washing down the deck with
cleanser to prevent the build up of pollen and other
airborne pollutants that can promote mold growth.
Proper drainage is necessary to avoid the buildup of
water pools (mold and stains). Spacing between deck
boards should be at least a nail’s width apart, and
homeowners should regularly clean out the expansion
gaps between the boards. |
