Composite decking is rapidly becoming the board of choice for new decks. Still, composite decking has many pros and cons to consider when deciding if it is right for you and your deck. I have collected 28 pros and cons of composite decking from my experience and research to be considered when selecting your next decking.
Pros of Composite Decking
- Low maintenance
- Multiple price points
- Hidden fasteners
- Impermeable to water
- Embossed texture minimizing slipping
- A large variety of colour options
- Environmentally friendly using recycled material.
- Safe for bare feet
- Will not rot or warp
- Insects resistant
- No harmful chemicals
- Doesn’t require paints or stains
- Bendable decking boards and railing
- Longer decking boards
Cons of Composite Decking
- Costly
- Small Return on decking cost
- Permanent colour
- Fading
- Not natural material or appearance
- Heavy compared to treated decking
- Requires more support
- Not structural
- Requires special fasteners
- Hard to repair
- Expansion and Contraction
- Able to be melted
- Hot on your feet
- Comparison shopping required
Capped verse uncapped Composite decking
Before going into the pros and cons of composite decking
, I want to define the type of composite decking being evaluated. The earliest versions of composite decking were uncapped. A mixture of recycled plastic and wood fibres. A great leap forward in innovation for decking but had some serious flaws. Flaws that lead to deck failure sooner than expected.
This led to the creation of capped composite decking. Most quality composite decking sold today is wrapped with a hard polymer shell bonded to the composite core. This cap has increase composite decking durability while reducing staining, fading, scratching and mould. Also, improving the appearance of the decking with richer, deeper colours, mimicking wood to a greater degree while increasing surface texture and traction.
In short, capping took an okay product and made it amazing. Becoming the standard in composite decking. To the point where I am not going even to consider uncapped composite but only capped composite decking’s pros and cons. Increasing the pros while reducing the cons of composite decking.
That being said, let’s look at the pros and then the cons of composite decking.
Pros of Composite Decking
1. Low Maintence
Composite decking requires less maintenance then wood decking. The number one advantage of Composite decking. You can say a lot of things and we will but the number one reason I hear from people for choosing composite decking is maintenance, or the lack there off.
The lack of regular staining and painting is the real advantage of composite. Primarily the time savings. There are many things most people would rather do on a deck for a weekend than staining. But also, money-saving. If you hire someone else to stain your deck within a few years you will be paying more for your wood deck than a composite deck. If you spend your own weekends every years cleaning, sanding and staining your deck the cost for the stain will slowly creep up on you.
No composite decking is No Maintenance but is considerably less than wood decking. Like all decks, composite decks need to be sweep of leaves and debris. Along with annual washing.
Not only removing mud from the decking but also cleaning between the decking boards. Gunk build up between deck boards on top of the joist should be an area of focus. As this gunk traps moisture and collects fungi which will rot out the top of the joist. This can be minimised during construction with joist flashing tape but still needs to be regularly cleaned. But costing less time and money than other decking options.
2. Multiple price points of composite decking
Composite decking is costly, everything of value is, but how much you pay you have some discretion. Sticking with some of the more popular established brands like Trex, TimberTech, or Fiberon decking. Which cost as little as $2 a lineal foot to over $7 on lineal foot while still being low maintenance. Choosing composite decking doesn’t mean you must pay top dollar for decking but can choose the price that meets your budget.
3. Hidden fasteners, removing unsightly fasteners from your decking
Most quality composite decking boards come with a grooved board option for field deck boards can be attached and consistently spaced with hidden fasteners.
For picture frame, stairs, inserts and decking borders using square decking boards can often be attached using screws and plugs hiding screw heads from your deck. A really nice clean look, decking without screw heads.
4. Compoiste decking is naturally impermeable to water
The number one threat to decking is water. Decking soaking up water will warp or rot, ruining your deck. Composite decking constructed of material that will not soak up and absorb moisture. So, no matter where your deck is, or how much it rains, it will not be affected.
Timber Tech composite decking has gone one step further with its polymer capping. Wrapping all four sides and even into the hidden fasteners groove is protected from water. Which is a real advantage for lower decks or decks with low ventilation as humidity can not be absorbed, preventing swelling and decking damaging.
5. Embossed texture minimizing slipping on composite decking
Traction is vital on a deck. You want to feel safe walking on your outdoor living space. Quality capped composited decking comes with deeply embossed patterns providing traction for your feet. Even when wet, the decking does not become slippery.
Some of the uncapped earlier generations of composite decking would grow mould or mildew on the surface, making the decking surface slippery. Creating the legend that composite decking is slippery. With the new capped decking minimizing mould and mildew growth along with improving texture finishes providing additional traction. I can not say that slipping is a thing of the past, but with regular cleaning of the deck, slipping is minimized. Plus, with the additional embossed textures of newer caps limiting sliding.
6. A large variety of composite decking colour available
From browns to reds to greys and many shades between you have choice with composite decking colours. Allowing you to choose the colour that meets you. A feature even more enhanced by mixing board colours on your deck. Selecting a more pronounced colour for the border or inserts on the deck.
Not only are there many colour options but also textures and patterns. Trex’s Spiced Rum has the look of “burnt umber with onyx black lowlights” their words, not mine, but it truly is quite nice.
Or TimberTech describes their drirftwood decking.
“Inspired by reclaimed wood, the heavy wire-brushed, low-gloss finish showcases the classic cathedral wood grain pattern on these resilient boards.”
TimberTech
I am falling in love with the description itself, but it is a nice grey decking board. A trendy colour with a little added flair.
7. Composite decking is Environmentally friendly by using recycled material
Varying by manufacturers but almost all composite decking has an element of recycled material. By using composite decking, you are diverting material away from landfills. Or as my Dad used to say.
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
Ryan’s Dad
Going even one step further than my Dad’s saying by upgrading plastic milk cartons and bags into something truly of value for your yard. There are some creative people, but I have yet to see a milk carton in a yard look as good as a composite deck or be as enjoyable.
Trex is the leader using over 95% recycled material in their decking. After manufacturing decking for more than two decades, Trex has not cut down one tree to make there decking but rather repurposed and reused waste from other sources.
“The average 500 square-foot composite Trex deck contains more than 140,000 recycled plastic bags, films, and wraps.”
Tr
That is a lot of garbage not being wasted but improving your yard.
8. Composite decking is Safe for bare feet
Composite decking has no slivers making it safer for bare feet. No worries about sudden prick of pain while strolling over the deck. Plus, the additional safety of hidden fasteners preventing accidentally catching of socks or feet on protruding nail or screw heads.
9. Composite decking will not rot or warp
Composite decking will always lay flat on your deck with no worry about the end of boards curling up. Or decking boards cupping up, trapping water and rotting. Actually, there is nothing you can do that will make composite decking rot. It’s rot free.
10. Composite decking is Insect resistant
In warmer climates with termites and other wood-boring insects, composite is perfect as insects will not make there home in composite decking. No worries about termites or ants eating away your composite decking as it is not insect food.
11. No harmful chemicals with composite decking
To prevent insects and fungi from destroying wood decking is often treated with chemicals preventing insects from eating the wood. Since composite decking is resistant to insects, it does not need to be treated with chemicals to deter insects.
12. Composite decking doesn’t reuire paints or stains
For wood decking to last, it needs to be regularly stained to prevent deterioration and rot. Composite decking doesn’t require either. None of the work, expense or smells of staining with composite decking.
13. Increased design options with curved decking boards and railing
Bending boards is limiting with wood decking. A skilled composite deck builder can add curves to the deck or curving inserts and patterns with composite decking. Raising the appearance of the deck to a whole new level.
14. Composite decking has longer boards
Composite decking has boards as long as 20’ (6m). Butt joints are ugly, and an Achilles heel for decking. Composite decking longer boards allow you to build wider decks without butt joints or borders. Improving the appearance of the deck and minimizing complications with butt joints.
But as with everything, there are not only positive things about composite decking but also negative elements. Composite decking has several cons.
Cons of Composite Decking
1. Costing considerably more than wood decking
Maybe I am to cost-conscious, but this feels like the biggest con of composite decking. It’s expensive compared to treated wood. Composite decking will cost between $6-20 a square foot. Which compared to $2-3 for pressure-treated decking is a significant cost increase.
A 500 square foot deck, for example, the pressure treated decking, will be around $1.000 to $ 1 500 but composite between $3 000 and $10 000. That’s a $ 9 000 spread between the top and bottom end. Which isn’t entirely fair as the appearance of the upper-end composite is significantly better than plain brown treated wood decking.
There is also saving in maintenance, but the initial price is a hurdle that must be overcome with composite decking.
2. Smaller return on composite decking than wood
Adding insult to injury. Unfortunately, when you sell your house, buyers don’t appraise composite honestly. For what you paid for the deck, you will receive a fraction of the money when you sell. Home Advisor, a national home improvement referral site, gives this stat.
- 75% average return for a wood deck
- 70% average return for a composite deck
The trouble is that when a potential buyer walks through a house, they have so many things that they are accessing that they just do unconscious quick math with the deck. They look out the back window, see a deck and don’t consider the saving in maintenance in the years to come because it’s a composite deck. Composite decks are worth more, will last longer, but without educating every buyer when selling, you will have a lower return on your composite deck investment.
3. Composite decking is permanent in colour
You know that fabulous straight from the factory decking finish of composite. It’s great when first installing the decking. But composite decking colour and look is permanent. Twenty years from now, the decking will still be the “Stone Ash” grey installed 20 years ago, and there is nothing you can do about it short of replacing the decking.
With a wood deck, you can sand it down and use a different stain giving you a different look and colour. All with minimal extra work as regular staining is required with a wood deck. Changing colours is a readily available option, not with composite. What you install is what you better enjoy for the next 25+ years.
4. Composite decking will fade in over time
All decking fades. Everything exposed to the sun’s UV rays will fade.
“The Product’s color will not fade from light and weathering exposure, as measured by a color change of more than 5 Delta E (CIE) units. While the Product is designed to resist fading, no material is fade proof when subjected to years of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and the elements.”
TimberTech Azek Warranty
The question to consider is can you live with this. TimberTech has it right in their warranty but all composite decking will fade over time. Only slightly but still noticeable. Does your deck need to be the exact colour as the sample, or will a somewhat lighter colour work with your house?
Fading will have the greatest negative impact come decking repairs. If a board is damaged and needs to be replaced in the future, even if you can source that exact same board. It will not be the exact same board. It will always be a little more vibrant than all the other boards. You will be able to see for many years to come, a distinctly newer board.
The drawback with composite decking fading is it can’t be repaired. With wood decking when the stain fades, losing its colours vibrance, you can re-stain the deck returning it to its original beauty or even a better colour. Not so with composite decking, the colour is permanent but fading over time.
5. Composites aren’t natural in appearance or material
The appearance of composite decking has come a long way in the last 20+ years, but it is still not wood. Regardless of what composite decking you choose, they are not wood. They will not look or feel like wood because they are not.
If you appreciate the look and feel of wood decking, composite is not for you. You will be forever disappointed because it is not wood; it is a synthetic material.
Composite decking can look beautiful and feel great under your feet. But it needs to be appreciated for what it is, composite. Composite will never be wood, and that is why you choose it, embrace it.
6. Composite decking is heavy compared to treated decking
Once your deck is built, this is a small factor in your enjoyment, but during construction, decking weight will affect you. On average composite decking is twice the weight of pine treated decking and almost three times the weight of cedar. Hunker provides these weights
12-foot length of 5/4-by-6 Trex weighs 27.5 pounds
12-foot length of treated, yellow pine 5/4-by-6 decking will weigh an average of 13.87 pounds
The weight of pine decking will vary as it’s a natural product, and not all trees have the same density, but either way, composite is heavier. If you can carry four pine boards, you will only be able to take two composites, slow down construction.
7. Composite decking requires more support
Not only composite heavier, but it also requires more support, which will increase deck framing cost and labour. Composite decking will often require smaller joist spacing, requiring additional joist being installed. Also, composite decking requires that every end be supported by a block, increasing the number of blocks needed. Framing for composite decking is more involving than wood decking.
8. Composite decking is not structural
Not quite the same as spreading a blanket out, but composite decking has limited structural strength. Everything done with composite decking requires wood support behind. CCMC puts in best when evaluating TimberTech decking.
“The product is not to be considered as an equivalent to dimensional lumber.”
Evaluation Report CCMC
From risers to fascia boards, it all needs structural wood behind it, for it won’t flop in the sun.
Not having structural strength adds an additional challenge when installing those wonderful 20’ (6m) boards. You simply can not carry them yourself because the ends will be dragging on the ground as it droops, where you can easily carry an equivalent wood board with limited sag.
9. Composite decking requires special fasteners
Yes, I listed composite decking hidden fasteners as a pro before, but it also is a con. Composite decking looks great once the deck is finished, but they do cost more. On average, composite hidden fasteners will cost four times more than using 3” bugle deck screws. Better look, but a higher price
Not only will they cost more, but they are often brand-specific. If your installing Trex’s or TimberTech decking, you are often limited to only buying their specific fasteners restricting the ability to shop around for a better deal. There are some generic fasteners, or at times you can substitute depending on the groove design of the decking, but it is a limiting factor.
The concealed fastener also is limiting in maintenance. If a hot coal falls on your decking melting one of the deck boards, it is not as easy as backing the screws off on one deck board and replacing the board. As often, one row of fasteners works with another line on the next board. Requiring not only unscrewing one board but multiple boards to replace one.
The small-angle screws for many composite decking fasteners are hard to reach with the decking board fasten beside it. Increasing the potential to damage the neighbouring deck board while trying to replace the damaged board. Screws and plugs look amazing, with all the screw heads hidden. The small composite plugs blending in with the decking. But if you ever need to remove that board, it is next to impossible to locate and remove the plugs to remove the screws. Resulting in greater damage as you rip off the still fasten board.
10. Hard to repair surface damage of composite decking
Composite decking is limiting in repairs. You accidentally gouge your decking while pulling the table on the deck. It can’t be sanded out and re-stain, returning your deck to its original beauty.
Any scratches deeper than the polymer cap cannot be repaired. That decking board will need to be removed and replaced, which can be complicated with hidden fasteners (See #8)
To be fair, small scratches on composite decking can be heated and repaired. But that only works for small scrapes and a steady, experienced hand.
11. Composite decking expands and contracts with temperature change
A con in two ways for composite decking, first during construction. The temperature must always be taken into account. The length you cut the board at 86°F(30°C) is not the same length at 50°F(10°C). The required end gap between boards must be adjusted for as the temperature changes. Trex 2019 installation guide recommends 1/8” (3mm) for temperatures higher than 40°F (4°C) but 3/16” (5mm) for when the temperature is below for butt joints. Fairly common with composite decking installation.
Expansion and contraction also limit decking design features. For example, many experienced deck builders will not use mitre joints with picture frame design because of this problem. It may look perfect when installed, but as the temperature changes, so do the joints, turning beautiful into ugly. Boards always in flux are limiting for designs and construction.
12. Composite decking can melt!
Decking melting is something that never had to be considered with wood decking. It may burn, be scratched or fade but never melt, but composite decking can. One of the significant components of composite decking is plastic and plastic can melt.
There are two major risks of composite decking melting, charcoal grills, and house windows. A grill mat can minimize the dangers of hot coals on composite decking. Personally, a charcoal grill should never be used on a composite deck without a mat. The risk is too high for damaging the decking, with hot coals and flame burst.
The risk of heat reflecting off a house window is harder to minimize. August 2, 2010, Azek Building Products announced that Low-E windows could damage composite decking, click here to read the bulletin. Remember using a magnifying glass to start a fire in science class? Same thing but melting your deck. Some Low E windows reflect and focus excessive heat unto the deck, melting it. A possible con of composite decking when by large low E windows.
13. Most composite decking can be hot on your feet
How much depends on colour and design but aware that composite decking is hotter on your feet in the summer heat. With a south-facing unshaded deck during the hot summer months, composite decking may be too hot to walk barefoot on. A real con for composite decking.
14. Comparison shopping required with composite decking
Always compare Apples to Apples, right? This is hard with composite decking. Each brand and line of composite decking varies in formula. From wood fibres, bamboo to inorganic (mineral) fillers like DecKorators® decking, they are all different. On top of that is a large variety of cap finishes in texture, colour, and appearance. To truly get the best composite decking for you will require you to become an expert in not only one brand but multiple brands and lines of decking. With many trade-offs in formulas, colours, and texture to find the right composite for your deck.
Additional Things to Contemplate about Composite Decking
There are many pros and cons with composite decking, but when choosing decking, there are some things to consider that are neither pros or cons but will impact your deck. Here are a few aspects of composite decking that should also be considered.
Composite decking requires superior substructure
Composite decking being a softer material variation between joists will become more evident. With wood decking, a crowned joist in the middle of the deck is inconsequential. But with composite, the rise and fall of joist will create waves on the deck. Composite decking joist must be consistent to minimize waves.
There are two solutions to prevent wavy composite decking. One option is to use steel deck joists. Manufacture to exacting specification, they will provide a consistent joist depth and being steel I joist will be perfectly straight. A wonderful option but at a price. The steel joist will cost four times that of its wood equivalent.
Another options, which is what I generally do for composite decking, are good practises for wood joists. Practises which minimizes joist differences, minimizing the wave in composite decking. Explaining good joisting practises is much bigger than I wish into here. If you want to read about installation and planing joists, click here to read more.
In short, composite decking requires better joisting. This can either be by using more expensive steel joist or with more better-quality control and adjustment in joisting, which will increase labour. Either way will work but needs to be considered when your using composite decking.
Composite decking Warranty?
Yes, any quality composite decking will come with at least a 25-year warranty. Which is one of the pros of composite decking over wood decking. Composite decking has a much better warranty than wood decking.
But the value of that warranty is in the details, which becomes more complicated to discern between decking. 30-years is not necessarily better than a 25-year warranty. Primarily when comparing warranties, you need to ask yourself what is important to you.
How must your decking perform to be satisfactory?
What is all covered in the warranty?
What is a satisfactory solution if it fails?
Will the decking company be around in the future to pay warranty claims?
How and who can make warranty claims?
These are only a few questions to help you start thinking about composite decking warranties. But as you weigh the pros and cons of composite decking, you will also need to evaluate individual warranties.
Class Action Lawsuits against Composite Decking Manufactures
When discussing warranties, I must address this issue. In the last 20 years, there have been many class-action lawsuits against composite deck companies. Spend a little time researching on the web, and this will become obvious, Trex in particular. I would like to suggest that a lawsuit does not necessarily mean that the company should be avoided.
Some off the lawsuits where because of being an innovator in a new product that companies oversold the promises of composite decking. Initially to sell composite decking companies spoke to highly of their product, then they ought to have. For example, “maintenance-free” sounds great, but “low maintenance” is more accurate, which resulted in lawsuits.
Other times it was an issue of reality that did not mesh with lab testing. Without 25 years in the field, you are only making an educated guess how long it will last. Which is understandable but, at times, became painful for homeowners—resulting in a lawsuit.
I think here you are best to look at how did the composite fail in the past and how did the manufacturer address it. For example, mould spotting and colour variation. The solution has been the polymer cap, which has now become almost standard with composite decking. If the company is dedicated to finding solutions, they will strive to take care of their companies, even when they initially fail. Which I think is worth more than if they made mistakes in the past or not.
Conclusion of Pro and Cons of Composite Decking
There are many reasons for your next deck to be a composite deck. Two of the major pros are low maintenance and decking appearance. As the years go by, you will appreciate more and more the minimal maintenance required with composite decking.
But also, many reasons not to have a composite deck. Two of the significant cons of composite decking are its initial cost and limitation of the material. A large hurdle to get over is how much it will cost. It will not be cheap. Then knowing how to work with an unfamiliar product will hinder or limit construction.
If the cons are outweighing the pros for you, check out “16 Pros & Cons of 5/4 treated Decking Plus Things to Consider” by clicking here. Maybe a wood deck will be better for you.
Whatever side you land, that having a composite deck is a plus or that composite decking is not for you. I hope you enjoy your deck.