Composite wood is made of derivative wood products manufactured by binding the strands, particles, veneers, boards of wood, or crack, using adhesives or other material to form composite materials.
Wood or timber as we know is obtained from trees, such as oak and others. They are treated in plants/factories and made into usable forms and shaped as per requirement.
A comparison between composite decking and wood is given here.
The conclusion is: Composite decking offers clear advantages over wood. Let us see why.
Composite decking requires less maintenance than wood decking.
The former is similar to prefinished flooring. It comes as a finished product and needs no sanding, staining, or painting — just some soap and water cleaning once in a while. On the contrary, wood has to be finished after installation and then stained or repainted every 1-2 years, implying spending a significant amount of time and elbow grease on maintenance.
How much is composite decking vs wood?
Composite decking costs less over its lifetime than does wood and is longer-lasting, too.
While pressure-treated lumber costs less on the pocket initially, maintenance costs over the years make it costly. Just to throw some light, on average, the amount spent on maintaining a wood deck could be $450-$850 per year. As for composite decking, it turns out to be just $5-$15 annually. Not only that, wood decks are susceptible to mold, decay, and insects (and of course to elements of Mother Nature) and have a shorter lifespan. With a little bit of maintenance, composites retain their polished good looks year after year. So the deck you love keeps looking new throughout. Wouldn’t that be great? You can entertain your guests in the garden deck made of composite wood and also relax in the sun without having to worry too much about its maintenance.
Composite decking materials are eco-friendly and toxin-free.
A certain type of composite wood, called fiberon composite decking is made out of locally-sourced lumber mill scraps, recycled plastic, and other materials. These materials add to the environmental waste. Using up these means we are reducing 60,000 tons of plastic and other waste from getting into the landfills or incinerators each year. Additionally, the composites prevent further deforestation, are free of toxic chemicals generally found in pressure-treated lumber, and are produced in a process with zero water waste.
Composite decking is comparatively safer.
Wood-plastic composite decks enjoy the advantage that they do not usually crack, splinter, split, or rot making it safe for the family and other guests to use the outdoor space without worrying about any injury. It is safer for children, pets, and your bare feet.
Composite decking resembles natural wood.
Composite decking has made tremendous progress in the past five years. The composites of today reflect the beauty of natural and exotic hardwoods, while still providing the benefits men need from it. It’s subtle streaking and varied wood grain patterns bring back memories of earlier days when human kind lived close to nature.