Vaughan Repair Services: What Is Composite Decking?

At one point, wood was the only material available for building a deck. As a result, a wood deck has a natural look that has become iconic, but wood has many vulnerabilities to weather conditions, mould, and insects and may require deck repair services in Vaughan. Eventually, alternatives to wood were developed that were more durable but less natural-looking. Composite decking attempts to bridge the gap and provide the best of both worlds: The natural beauty of wood and the durability of other materials.

What Is Composite Decking?

Composite decking is a blend of natural wood and synthetic materials. The wood is wood fibre or wood flour that is leftover after manufacturing processes. The synthetic materials include plastic that can either be virgin or recycled. There are also other chemical additives to bind the materials together and protect the wood.

Composite decking usually comes in planks. They are made by heating up the mixture of materials so they can be formed into boards. Once they cool, they harden into planks that resemble wooden planks. Composite decking comes in many different colors, and wood grain is usually added to give it the appearance of genuine lumber.

What Are the Advantages of Composite Decking?

Compared to a wooden deck, composite decking is low maintenance. There is never any need to sand it. It already comes in many different colours, so there is no need to stain or paint it either. Keeping it clean is pretty easy. Composite decking may be safer than wood because there is no chance of getting a splinter from it. It also will not rot with exposure to water, so no chance of it developing soft spots. In addition to being less vulnerable to changing weather conditions, composite decking also resists staining. If composite decking is made of recycled plastic, it is better for the environment than it would be to chop down a lot of trees to get lumber for a wooden deck.

What Are the Disadvantages of Composite Decking?

High-quality composite decking is pretty successful at mimicking the appearance of natural wood. However, cheaper materials may retain an artificial appearance. Composite decking is an environmentally friendly option as long as it is made of recycled plastic. However, if it is made from virgin plastic, that is terrible for the environment despite not requiring trees to be cut down because of the wasted water and energy that is required for production.

Composite decking that is capped maintains a protective barrier between the wooden components and the conditions outside. However, sometimes moisture can get to the wood, especially if the decking is uncapped, and then it is vulnerable to mould and mildew. Composite decking may be vulnerable to bending and sagging. Over time, it can start to fade or delaminate, which means that various layers start to peel off. While composite decking does not splinter, it may become slippery when wet.

What Colours Does Composite Decking Offer?

Composite decking is available in a wide range of colours. Traditional colors fall into four different colour families:

• Brown
• Grey
• Reddish-brown
• White

Traditional colors roughly approximate earth tones that natural wood would have. Composite decking may also be available in non-traditional colours.

When choosing a color, you should remember that darker colours may absorb heat from the sun, making them less comfortable to walk on with bare feet. You may want to choose a lighter color that reflects most of the heat.

Why Should You Choose Handyman Connection for Deck Repair Services in Vaughan?

When it comes to your deck, Handyman Connection performs all the services you need, including installation, repair, replacement, and painting services in Vaughan, if applicable. Find out more about our deck-related specialties.