Tag Archives: composite decking benefits

Why Avoid Hardwood Decking?

If you’re thinking about building a custom deck in Omaha, you’re going to be faced with a choice – hardwood decking or composite decking? In the past, hardwood decking materials were the only option, and they did a good job when properly maintained. But today’s technology has given deck buyers an alternative with composite decking, and with continual innovation over the years, it’s now far surpassed the benefits of hardwood decking in all categories.

Hardwood Vs. Composite Decking

Many homeowners choose hardwood decking because it sounds familiar and is easy to find. What they’re not aware of is the wood decking problems like splinters, staining, rot issues, hours of maintenance, and high cost. Homeowners who are not familiar with composite decking and all of the innovations it’s undergone since it first emerged over 30 years ago are afraid composite decking will not look as nice as wood. Let’s take an in-depth look and see how today’s composite decking compares to wood decking. 

How do they Look?

It’s true that early-generation composite decking looked artificial and plastic-like. But today’s composites are nearly indistinguishable from wood decks, and many argue much more beautiful. They have grain patterns, so no two boards are alike. They can mimic any hardwood on the market in appearance and do a lot more when it comes to getting the exact pattern, color, and finish.

Moisture Factor

One of the biggest problems with natural hardwood decking is that boards absorb water. Without frequent applications of stains, sealers, or paint, wood decking will warp, splinter, crack, and rot. Composite decking, on the other hand, is fully moisture-resistant, eliminating the need for repeated sealing applications, and can be installed in high moisture conditions with no issues.

Maintenance

To extend the life of a wood deck, homeowners are tasked with regularly painting and staining to keep the deck sealed from moisture, as noted above. It’s a battle that continues for the lifespan of the entire deck. A composite deck only requires sweeping and an occasional wash to keep the boards looking new.

Insect Damage

Insects love natural hardwoods. Termites and other wood-loving insects can do a number on a natural hardwood deck and render it unusable or fill it with unsightly holes in little time. Composite decks are insect-proof – you’ll never have insect damage with a composite deck.

Final Breakdown  

  • Appearance – Hardwood timber fades over time. Composite has the beauty of natural wood with high-performance durability.
  • Moisture – Hardwood doesn’t hold up well with water lots of water contact. Composite can be installed with water contact and is moisture-proof.
  • Maintenance – Hardwood requires 16-32 hours of cleaning, painting, and staining per year. Composite requires 2-4 hours per year.
  • Durability – Hardwood decking is susceptible to rot, splintering, warping, and termite damage. Composite resists rot, warping, splintering, and termite damage.
  • Price – Hardwood decks have a lower initial cost, but it varies depending on wood species. Composite has a higher upfront cost, but a much longer lifetime.

Don’t Be Afraid of Low-Maintenance Decking & Railing

Believe it or not, low-maintenance composite decks have been around since the mid-1990s. When they first hit the market the colors and textures were limited, but like all technology, they’ve evolved. In fact, low-maintenance decking and railing have evolved into a billion-dollar industry. You can now get practically any color or texture you want, and the quality of the decking materials is more elite than anyone ever imagined 30 years ago.

Our company knows pretty much everything there is to know about custom deck building with these materials because we were one of the early adopters. If you come across a custom deck in Omaha made from Trex, TimberTech, or Azek low-maintenance decking and railing there’s a good chance we built it!

Superior Materials = Superior Decks

Don’t let the dinosaur deck builders scare you away from all the benefits of low-maintenance decking & railing. Despite its longevity, many deck builders are reluctant to shift over from wood simply because they don’t understand how Trex, TimberTech or Azek materials work or how to install them properly. Trex, the originator of composite decking material has been around since 1996.

  • No Fading or Staining – Many composites offer fade and stain warranties so they won’t change color over time. Left alone, the wood turns grey.
  • No Warping, Cracking, or Splitting – Over time natural wood deteriorates no matter how many coats of stain you apply. Composite decking companies like Trex and Azek boast 25-year to limited-life warranties to back up their promise.
  • Termite Resistant – You’ll never receive damage to your composite deck from termite pressure, unlike wood decks which are under constant threat from the wood-loving insects.
  • Mold & Mildew Resistant – Wood rots and breaks down in nature, and when it’s attached to your house as a deck. Composite decking is more immune to mold and mildew attacks which are known to exploit the vulnerabilities of wood decking.
  • No Splinters – What fun is being on the deck if you keep picking up splinters in your feet? Composite decking is a true splinter-free decking experience.
  • Longer Boards – Composite decking boards are as long as 20ft which means a more seamless finish with fewer joints.
  • Low Maintenance – They don’t call it low-maintenance decking for nothing. A simple application of soap and water gets your deck looking brand new in no time.

Nobody builds a custom deck so they can spend lots of time taking care of it. Stop by our showroom and see in person how great the materials we use in our Omaha elite custom decks really are. We offer all the top brands including Trex, TimberTech, and Azek for our low-maintenance decking & railing. You have to see it to believe it. Touching it helps too. See you soon!