Is Composite
Decking the Best Decking Material?
Big advertising dollars have
been spent to persuade home improvement consumers to believe
that composite decking material has no maintenance and has
the longest life expectancy.
If you do some searching on
Google for "Composite Decking Complaints" or you
can take any major brand name of composite decking and add
the word complaints at the end of your Google search and
you will find all kinds of comments and pictures from unhappy
composite deck owners.
The truth is that most composite
deck material has not been thoroughly tested but it has
been thoroughly marketed. That's why most home owners think
composite decking is a great choice. Many people are
also lured in by the long warranties these companies offer
but if you do some research on that as well you will see
that many companies after realizing their product does not
hold up like they promised end up shutting down their company
and then open a new company under a different name that
way they don't have to deal with the warranty issues when
their product fails.
Composite decking manufacturers
are quick to admit that their products are not perfect :
It is common to find detailed
cleaning instructions included with manufacturers warranty
information
“Grease will stain any surface. Deal with stains quickly.”
“A deep red composite deck would fade to pink, which nobody
wants”
Most manufacturers suggest
periodic cleanings with deck cleanser to prevent the buildup
of mold and mildew
Composite decking materials are also not structurally rated.
Composite decking is weaker than wood.
