Replace An Old Deck With Composite Decking

Here are some results from a Sherwin-Williams study of what happens to composite decking after 3 years of exposure. The dark gray and black spots are mold and mildew growing on the boards.

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. This decking bubbles up around standard bugle-head deck screws . Since 2004, NewTechWood has been a pioneer in the creation and improvement of composite decking boards, deck tiles, siding, deck railing, accessories and more. We are so sure you will love the NewTechWood UltraShield® advantage, that we offer a 25-year limited transferable warranty —one of the most comprehensive warranties in the decking industry. Plan the pattern or design you want to achieve with your composite decking. If using multiple colors or finishes, consider drawing a detailed design on paper, so you can consult it throughout the installation process.

• As part of their manufacture, composite deck boards are treated with preservatives that help ward off rot, mold, and mildew.
• Planks are dyed in a host of a colors and imprinted with a range of textures, most of which convincingly resemble genuine wood grain.
• It’s a fully capped board for protection from moisture above and below and uses a combination of recycled plastic and bamboo flour for strength and water-resistance.
• One composite deck system with these features is Infinity by Fortress Building Products.

Facts About Composite Decking

I used a drill/driver to fasten it down with composite decking screws in pilot holes, driven no closer than 1 inch from the edge of the deck board. When pre-drilling composite boards, you’ll notice that some shavings of composite material will probably pull out of the hole. I used those composite shavings to cover the countersunk heads of the deck screws—softly tap in the shavings with a hammer; it works like a wood plug. The sundeck we remodeled for this issue of EHT had certainly seen better days, before the wood succumbed to the perils of direct ultraviolet rays. The deck had been slapped with a clear coat of water preservative, but that was the extent of protection.

Composite Decking: Does It Really Stack Up?

Can You Install New Decking Over Old Deck Boards?

So, even if the factory's binder creates a perfect seal, and that's not possible, that perfection is soon compromised in the normal course of using the deck. Keep in mind that all composite decking materials, including composites, are still largely experimental. Unlike wood – with which we have worked for about a million years and the characteristics of which we know very well – composites are a new and imperfectly understood material. The most common complaint about composite decking is mold growth.

Be sure to follow your composite decking manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully, and keep the following tips in mind. In this guide, we’ll go over the proper joist spacing for composite decking as well as some common installation mistakes you should avoid. After weighing the options, you’ve decided you want to use composite material to build your deck. Composite decking, which is made from a combination of wood and plastic, lasts longer than traditional wood because it’s less prone to rotting, splintering, and insect damage. But to truly get the most out of your new composite deck, you have to start with a strong frame.

This is good in the winter when slush, frost and piles of snow can sit on your deck for extended periods. With composite decking, you do not have to worry about the moisture seeping into the material and causing rot or warping. Once temperatures warm up and snow melts, composite decking also dries quickly.

Here, I should interject that the homeowner decided to keep the existing wood handrail system , with the intention to stain the wood to match the color of the deck. To match the base trim to the railing, I ripped some 2-by-2 trim pieces from 2-by-4’s on my table saw, which would also be stained. I then ripped a bevel along one edge to ease the profile a bit. I used a miter saw to cut them to length and to cut all the 45-degree corners. Granted, base trim for interior applications isn’t typically this bulky, but this was a deck, and I was trying to keep the wood thick and strong to resist warping from exposure. I was also relying on the protection of a high-quality wood preservative.

Some capstock manufacturers, such as Fiberon and Timbertech, now guarantee some of their products against excessive fading. But, most continue to specifically exclude color changes, fading and graying from their warranties. Trex, the largest manufacturer of composite decking, has been sued more than once due to excessive mold and mildew build-up on its composite decking and had to pay out big dollars in settlement.

Some composite decking is being made from 100% poly-vinyl. Combined with coloring elements and protective additives, the result is a manufactured product in the shape of a board which is relatively heavier in weight than real wood of the same size. It will not rot or splinter, is highly resistant to warping, and is generally more weather resistant than traditional wooden decking. Decks have become an extension of the home as an outdoor playroom, kitchen, sanctuary, and entertainment hub. So, whether you're building a deck for the first time or replacing the one you have, it's important to know your decking options. In the past, decking material options were limited.

Composite manufacturers now admit that there are no "maintenance free" decking materials of any kind. Every decking material needs at least a periodic washing. Mold, mildew, and dirt attack every deck - plastic, metal, wood or composite – with evenhanded tenacity, and have to be taken care of at regular intervals. All composite manufacturers now recommend a periodic maintenance schedule, specific procedures, and even products by brand name for cleaning and maintaining their composite materials. Now that a little time has passed and some research has been done, these expansive claims are just not holding up.

Most of that work is simply spraying down your deck with a hose, but it’s still technically work. While “no maintenance” may be a misnomer, low maintenance is a reality when it comes to composite decking. A little soap and water every few months will keep your composite deck looking brand new year after year. For additional insights on wood vs. composite decking, and to see how MoistureShield stacks up against other types of decking materials, check out ourDeck Material Comparison Chart. So unless some sort of anti-fungal material is added, wood flour can be a very attractive home for mold and mildew. Manufacturers caution in their care instructions that keeping the deck free of pollen and debris that may be food sources for mold is important to assuring a mold-free deck.