Wood vs Composite Decking

[Wags]

We finally have the money saved up to build the deck we couldn't when the house was built two years ago. Originally I wanted a composite deck because it is supposed to last a long time and be low maintenance, and since we have little kids, figured splinter free would be a good thing to.

However in doing some research on-line today I came across a few articles talking about all the problems folks are having with them - especially black mold. Have any of you experience problems with composite decking?

Cedar or redwood is a bit cheaper - do you think in the long run I'd be better off with the composite or wood?

[Cash]

We faced the same questions when we rebuilt our deck last summer. We had used cedar decking earlier, but unless you treat it each year or two it won't last more than 10-12 years in our climate before starting to look really ratty. My neighbor used composite last year and then complained constantly about the expense. Not only was the decking itself very pricey, but cutting it required special and expensive saw blades and he had to use stainless steel screws, also very expensive. Then there were the mold stories, and I did not want to be crawling under the deck every summer to spray the underside with bleach.

Our builder did estimates for composite, cedar, and treated lumber, and we ended up going with treated wood this time. It's much safer than the stuff they used years ago, and it doesn't look like plastic. We've been pretty happy with so far.

[Scrounger]

Everyone I have seen that has the composite is wishing they didn't...

[LisaInN.Idaho]

My front porch (or deck) is wood and the back deck is Trex. We LOVE the Trex deck. Easy to maintain, it looks great, no splinters...we can even have an outdoor fireplace sitting on it (on some Mexican tile). We are planning on redoing the front porch with Trex this summer. I really recommend it.
And ours doesn't look like plastic either.

[Wags]

Well our deck won't be that high off the ground - about 3 ft at the highest point, so crawling under to spray is pretty much out of the question. It will be on the east side of the house, so it will get sun.

[greg273]

We got called to replace a composite deck, with ANOTHER composite deck, and from that expierience alone, I would NOT want one.
Not sure what 'brand' it was, but the sun basically destroyed it in less than a year. Another thing I noticed, was its strange thermal properties. That stuff was HOT, too hot to touch where the sun was hitting it.
So I have my doubts about the stuff. The deck on my house is rough-cut Eastern Red Cedar, and yes, it goes gray in a few years, but it should outlast any composite out there. My only complaint about cedar is the softness of it, it will dent pretty easily.

[saramark]

Correct Deck is good. I have used it often and have friends with it for years now and love it. I would rather have wood personally, but anything but treated will rot, and all wood will splinter and warp some. Cheaper is not always better, but expensive isn't always better either. Correct Deck doesn't fade as bad as Trex or have the mold problems. I was told you could spray it to keep the mold away, too. Never tried it, so don't quote me on that.

mark

[turtlehead]

We had a deck in Georgia - not Trex but a less expensive imitation. It was great. Weathered great, no mold, no excess heat. BUT we only had it for a couple of years before we sold. Still, we loved it.

We built a bridge across the creek here and used composite again. Weathers great, we love it. We'll need to replace the wooden front porch/deck in the next couple of years and plan to use composite if we can afford it. We love the composite.

[catahoula]

Trex decking is floppy so it requires more support framing, it's pretty easy to scratch, and it fades. Because it fades you have to keep moving plants, BBQ, and furniture around so it fades evenly. It's also slicker than snot on a doorknob when it has frost on it.

It will never warp, cup, split or crack, you will never have to oil it. It comes in a variety of colors. If you treat your framing lumber with a wood preservative and put a tar paper gasket between the decking and framing, your deck will last a good long time. I think the pros out weigh the cons.

[Cabin Fever]

I love the look of fake wood...it goes so good with fake wood siding.

[Helena]

We have had the wood decking but needed to replace it after 10 years or less. I didn't like the idea of treated lumber so we went with the composite wood. Happened to get a sale on it and it was very easy to install. The snow is easier to shovel off in this "north woods" and since had read that it is made with plastic bags..recyled..I thought it was a great idea. Plan on putting a roof on it this deck this summer and installing the same type of decking around the pool too !! Got the cedar look..I have no complaints !!

[texican]

I have not ever 'come upon' any quantities of composite.... (from tear downs, freebies, recycled, job sites, remodels)... that fact alone would preclude me from using composites. I come upon pressure treated everywhere...

Price is always an issue, and free beats costly...

[fixer1958]

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

I love the look of fake wood...it goes so good with fake wood siding.

Now if they could just perfect the fake hedges and ornamental bushes no one would have to do anything.

They use it alot on boat dock decking which could be a good thing. But as it was stated before the supports have to be alot closer together. I don't like it much because it turns black. I guess mold?

[brownegg]

I just took my 16x24 treated deck off the back that was 30 years old. I pulled allt he nails and saved all the used lumber for some other projects. It is still good enough to reuse for coop framing and such. I'm going to replace it with treated once again, cause 30years from now it will still be in great condition and I'll be 6 feet under. Composite is 3 times the price and not worth the cost in my lifetime. The only reason I replaced it was, I never had rain gutters and it took a good soaking either from the rain or the snow thawing.

[Nevada]

I looked at it when I did my front porch but discounted it on the basis of price. I did the porch in 2x6's instead, then treated it with Thompson's (red stained) water sealer. It beads water very well. I'm happy.

[wvcowpatty]

I know you asked about composite or real wood, but here's another thought.

We thought long and hard about a deck, too. Could not decide on which way to go. We wanted something that would be attractive and last without much upkeep.

After months of contemplation, and saving for the cost, we decided on a concrete patio with a roof instead. Ours is 12 x 40 and cost $2,200.00. This included hiring the work done for us. We have three steps out the back doors onto the concrete.

It is admittedly not as pleasing to the eye as a deck would have been, but it should last a lot longer, with really no upkeep, for years. The worst it can do is crack, which hopefully won't happen. And if it does, it can be patched.

Since it is on the ground, there was no need for railing to block our view of our land, and we are really happy that we made this decision. We had it finished 'rough', so it isn't slick when it's wet.

I can hang plants from the roof as well as my hummingbird feeders. It is the favorite part of our home in the spring, summer and fall. We eat our meals outside almost every day during these times.

This may not be of any value to your question, and may not be feasible with your property, but I thought I'd throw it out as an alternative.

Our last home had a wooden deck, and we rarely ever used it. It was too darned hot in the summer to sit on it. And it turned black every year. It had to be pressure washed every year, and treated with a water sealer every other year. Way more work than it was worth to us.

[toomb68]

Ipe...........