Deciding About Real-World Recommendations For Canberra Composite Decking

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Your Trex Composite Decking & Railing Questions Answered




Avoid Improper Decking Gaps


When composites came out they were touted as never staining, never needing maintenance, and never fading. Now that a few years have passed, homeowners have seen the real truth behind these claims. While no product will ever be able to replace the natural beauty of wood, since composite decking materials are man made, they can also be man-improved. One of the biggest problems with older Trex decking is color fading. Everybody knows color fades in the sun, but composite decking companies seem to be oblivious to how badly their products actually look when left out in the sun. Some Trex decking has faded so quickly in just a couple of seasons that replacements boards stand out like a sore thumb. Color fading is something the company knows about and acknowledges.


You can fasten boards to joists by driving screws through the face or into clips inserted along the edge. Edge-fastening looks good because the screws are hidden, but face-fastening is faster, stronger, and easier to fix. When face-fastening, use screws designed only for composites.


Dimensionally stable steel provides consistency and reliability that wood doesn't, and is more fire-resistant as well. Leveraging the strength of steel, Elevations can span longer distances between posts and precise engineering ensures surfaces that remain flat over time. Most area rugs aren't a problem with Trex decking, but we do recommend cleaning underneath them regularly. In rare cases, rugs made of plastic or viscose materials may bleed, drawing colorant out of the decking or making them difficult to remove. Always allow your decking to fully dry before fitting a rug into place. If you've noticed any staining, scratching or fading over the years, it's likely you have early-generation decking.


Trex Company, Inc


(For a complete report on and ranking of the environmental impact of various plastic and composite materials by the non-profit Healthy Building Network read the Guide to Plastic Lumber). The most enviro-unfriendly material used in composite decking is plastic, particularly "virgin" or new plastic made primarily from petroleum or natural gas. Some manufacturers use vinyl which is decidedly un-green. On the surface, composite materials look mighty un-"green" with lots of unpronounceable chemicals, some of which can be highly toxic. So, are you trading convenience for some sort of health or ecological disaster when you select composite decking materials? But, neither are composites especially environmentally friendly.


How much does it cost to replace a wood deck with composite?

Decking Material Costs
Cedar Deck Boards Between $3 to $6 per square foot. Redwood Deck Boards Between $10 to $15 per square foot. Ipe Deck Boards Between $10 to $20 per square foot. Composite Deck Boards Between $12 to $22 per square foot.


There are different composite products on the market and the availability of these products may vary depending on your location. Most composite decks are manufactured from the by-products of wood such as wood chips, sawdust, and recycled plastic materials. Capped polymer and 4-sided capped composite decking provide homeowners with a great alternative to traditional composite and wood decks that are susceptible to mold and mildew. While composite decking is known for being a step up from wood decking, not all boards are created equal. Composite decking is made up of a blend of wood particles and plastic materials to form a deck board, thensomeare capped with a synthetic material to help keep moisture out. Any exposed wood particles in a board’s core or cap weaken its defense from mold, mildew, and moisture damage. Unlike other decking materials, composite decks can provide the look and feel of natural wood without the environmental impact of cutting down trees for timber.


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A high-quality composite deck has a greater appeal for potential buyers as it requires low maintenance. This means that it will retain more of its transferable value for a longer period compared to other deck materials. A high-quality composite deck is more expensive than the traditional pressure-treated lumber and its price ranges between $5.00 and $7.00 per 8-inch board.


What should I look for when buying a composite deck?

10 Things You Should Know Before Choosing Composite DeckingNot All Synthetic Decking Is "Composite"
Not All Building Codes Allow Composite Decking.
Composite Lumber Is Not Just Decking.
Composite Lumber Can Be Expensive.
Higher-Quality Products check here Look More Like Wood.
Composites Can Be Slippery When Wet.
Composites Can Be Attached With Hidden Fasteners.
Beware the Add-Ons.
More items


Wood And Composite Decking Review: Pros And Cons


All composite manufacturers now recommend a periodic maintenance schedule, specific procedures, and even products by brand name for cleaning and maintaining their composite materials. Just like the mold, this issue is unpredictable and hard to understand which decking will have problems and which will not. I know that this is a very one sided article and I am not comparing composite decking to wood. I am merely talking about some of the issues that have been noted with the material. It can be cleaned regularly with a garden hose and a soft bristled brush. Some manufacturers have had some success with the longevity of their products. With this type of material price is a contributing factor.


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Decking & Railing Duos


Backed by a 25-year limited warranty, it’s environmentally friendly and designed to remain free of rotting, splitting, splintering, insect damage. Composite decking—like Trex—is a blend of plastic film and wood fibers. The plastic film that goes into composite decking can include polypropylene or polyethylene. These plastics work well with wood fibers to create a strong, resilient material that is more stable than 100% plastic decking.


I was excited about having something touted as being “maintenance free.” Over the years I have power washed it to keep the vegetation (moss? algae?) at bay. Mind you, I was never really told how to maintain it . For the most part it has held up well and we have enjoyed the deck.



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And, even though the savings per board is small, it adds up quickly over thousands of boards produced. The bright, crisp composite decking color you get fresh from the factory is not going to be the color you see a year or even 3 months, after installation. Non-capstock decks fade a lot and will eventually fade to a drab weathered gray that looks little different from the color of dingy, weathered wood. Capstock deks also fade, just not as much or as quickly. Uncapped composite decking is porous and can be stained. Once capstock decking has faded, that is the color you must live with. Here are some results from a Sherwin-Williams study of what happens to composite decking after 3 years of exposure.



The finely ground ‘wood flour’ become a veritable Petri dish for mold. Mold gets into the crevices of composite decking and clings to the fine wood particles and has a very difficult time getting out. PVC and composite materials have made great strides into the decking industry during the past decade. The materials were once considered fake looking, but the companies that manufacturer these products have been able to replicate the look of wood without all the required maintenance. Certain companies that make composite brands have been working round the clock to improve their product. These products are now more resistant to stains, they don’t fade like wood, but they do need a little maintenance.


What are the problems with composite decking

These are the only products most contractors can get so of course they’re going to say they’re good. Whether you choose Transcend, Select, or Enhance, you’re making an investment in a hassle-free, low-maintenance composite deck that will last for years to come. Choose high-quality composite decking materials to build the deck of your dreams where you can spend warm afternoons and cool evenings relaxing with friends and loved ones. Here is a side-by-side comparison to illustrate the unique features, materials, price, and color options for each Trex composite decking option.


Does composite decking crack?

Composite decking puts modern technology to work right in your backyard. Manufacturers combine wood byproducts with plastic and resins under high pressure to create this rot-resistant, durable material. You can stain or paint it, and individual boards are straight and uniform. It's crack-resistant but not crack-proof.


Responses To Composite Decking Mushrooms


Lighter colored boards tend to be slightly cooler than darker composite boards. Basics meld the durability of composite with the affordability of wood, resulting in long-lasting, worry-free decking. Trex Enhance Basics decking comes in three traditional colors, and because the boards are scalloped, they’re lightweight for easy handling. decking offers the broadest range of decking colors and finishes . Plus, Transcend deck boards offer the beauty of exotic wood—without the environmental strain of harvesting endangered forests. Although Trex contains plastic, it’s a composite decking material. As a result, you get the the eye-catching look of rich wood with the durability of a composite.


  • If you have these problems, professional deck cleaners may be able to offer some help.
  • While plastic and composite decking may both last between 25 to 30 years, a composite deck will retain its beauty and look new longer than a deck made from other materials.
  • Thanks to the unique blend of plastic film and wood fibers, Trex decking is stronger and more resilient than its plastic counterparts.
  • Many mold and mildew cleaners are not compatible with composite decking and may tend to’ bleach out’ the colors of the synthetic deck boards.
  • Most composite decking manufacturers will tell you specifically not to use a pressure washer to clean their decking.


Common complaints from homeowners include their composite decking board swelling, shifting, warping, and shrinking. The texture of the surface of the boards and the very rough surface of uncapped ends can easily hold water within its grooves. Since the water doesn’t quite absorb, it becomes stagnant, with the moisture finally causing mold to develop. Despite composite being “low care”, homeowners living in humid/wet regions might find them having to clean their decks excessively to control mold, fungus, algae, or moss growth.