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7 Benefits of Choosing Composite Decking

7 Benefits of Choosing Composite Decking

If you're planning to add a deck to your home or make some changes to your current deck, you've probably considered using composite decking. If you aren't considering it, you should. Sure, wood was the top choice for a long time, but homeowners are realizing that composite decking offers many benefits you can't get with wood. It's quickly becoming the more popular option and here are seven reasons why.

1. It's Low Maintenance 

Choosing low-maintenance options is a top priority when it comes to your home's features. You don't want to have to repaint and restain year after year—and you don't want to have to pay to rent or buy expensive power washing tools to keep it clean. Fortunately, with composite decking, you don't have to. Most homeowners keep their decks clean by hosing them off from time to time or spot cleaning with items they typically already have around the house. There's no sanding, sealing, or replacing certain parts that were damaged easily. That means more time sitting outside and enjoying your deck and less time spending your weekends taking care of it.  

2. It's Durable

Composite decking doesn't require as much maintenance as wood because it's a lot more durable. Wood rots. Insects like termites, carpenter bees, and wood borers damage wooden decks. Wood fades in the sun, and it warps in the rain. It stains when you drop that red wine or barbecue sauce on it. Heavy furniture and constant foot traffic compromise a wooden deck's integrity over time. Composite decking doesn't do this. It's more durable now than ever. As it becomes increasingly popular, manufacturers are working hard to increase the quality of the technology used in composite decking. The result is the most durable deck you could add to your home. There's a reason why warranties on composite decks tend to be much higher than those for wooden decks. Typically, they last twice as long or longer than wooden decks.

3. It's Good for the Environment 

Are you worried about your home's impact on the environment in general? Choosing composite decking is a great way to lessen your footprint. It takes several trees to make one wooden deck. It takes no trees for a deck made out of composite materials. Composite decking is often made from recycled materials including old plastic and scrap wood. 

4. It Offers More Variety 

One thing homeowners appreciate when picking composite decking is that it comes in a multitude of colors without having to paint or stain it. You can choose exactly what you like or what compliments your home without having to put in any extra work. You can also choose from a variety of patterns as composite decking is often designed to look like wood. 

5. It's Attractive

For years, one of the biggest arguments in favor of wooden decks was that they looked better, more natural even. Thanks to years of improved technology and perfecting the look of composite decking, that's no longer a concern. Many homeowners say their composite materials resemble wood so much that you must look extremely closely to see that it's not wood. Throw in the numerous colors and patterns available, and you can truly design a terrific-looking deck to compliment your home and yard. 

6. You Don't Have to Worry About Splinters 

How many times have you walked barefoot across a wooden deck and gotten a splinter in your foot? If it hasn't happened yet, it probably will. What's even more painful is imagining your child or your pet doing the same. That doesn't happen with composite decking because it doesn't splinter, making it a safer choice for parents and pet owners. Even better, some brands are labeled as slip-proof, so you don't have to worry about that. 

7. It Offers More Value in the Long Run  

It's true that composite decking can cost more than wood — at least for now. With lumber prices on the rise, it may even out soon. Either way, when you choose composite, you're making a long-term investment that will end up being a better value overall. First, you won't be spending time and money on maintenance and repairs with little to no upkeep. Second, because composite decks are so much more durable, you don't have to replace them in 10 to 15 years. They can last 25 to 30 years and sometimes longer. If you ever decide to sell your home in that timeframe, you may even find that having a low-maintenance, durable deck in good shape adds value to potential buyers.

Last Updated: July 21, 2022