16 Pros And Cons Of Composite Decking

Choosing Deck Materials

Don’t worry, I’ve got 11 solutions for you that will help to fix your slippery decking problems today. Decks can get slippery any time of the year, but they are most susceptible to this problem in the winter when the snow builds up and ice can form on your deck. This will turn it into a hazardous mess, so it’s best to tackle this issue before it happens. You might have noticed that there’s a small gap between each of your decking boards. That moisture is a perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, algae, and even moss. They’ll grow in the wetness, creating a slick layer of growth on your decking material.

Composite Decking Vs Wood

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Screwing through the face of the boards is by far the fastest, easiest and most structurally sound method of fastening deck boards. Modern deck screws have reverse threads to suck the decking down tight to the joists and specially designed heads to prevent mushrooming.

The problem that you have with nails or screws when building a deck is that they create a place of weakness for the board. You can experience cracking, corrosion, and premature rotting depending on the quality of the construction. At the very least, you end up with a product that requires precision fastener placement to create the clean look you want. If you choose composite decking instead, then you can use hidden fasteners under the decking to secure the product.

• I have a hot tub on it and there has never been a problem with it being slippery.
• The above information is great, especially the transferrable warranty, but what about the dangers?
• Most people don’t realize, in terms of safety, that composite decks are actually more dangerous than lumber found at a big box store due to the manufacturing process and materials.
• Two things to remember, all composite decking is not the same, high and low.

If you prefer the look of stain or even just a natural wood finish, there’s still a way to create your own non-stick surface using sand and either a deck stain or sealer. Once it’s dry, your deck will have a textured surface that will prevent it from getting slick. If even dirt, water, and algae start to build up, the texture will give you grip and prevent your deck from becoming so slippery. Worst, this problem can equally affect natural wood and composite decking. Composite decking will always be more expensive than traditional wood decking, however if you looks at the cost over 5 or more years, it starts to make more sense. One of the biggest advantages composite decking has over wood is that it requires virtually no maintenance. While they often cost more than wood, composite materials offer the promise of greater durability and less maintenance.

Composite decking looks and behaves more like wood than all-plastic does because it contains about 50 percent wood dust in addition to plastic. Most boards have solid or tongue-and-groove profiles and are screwed down just like wood. While wood decking is nailed or screwed down and very simple to install, composite decking manufacturers have created special fasteners that “disappear,” creating an unfettered look. Hidden fastening systems often require no special tools and are easy to install, while color-matched screws can make the installation more like wood.

Snow And Ice Removal On Composite Decks

Promptly sweeping leaves from your deck – particularly after storms and rain – will prevent the buildup of moisture on the deck surface and the growth of mold, mildew, and algae. You can also clear debris from cracks and gaps between boards with a putty knife or similar flat edge to halt moisture and organism growth.

What may work on a properly built deck in a dry area — may not at the beach or on a ground level deck in a moist area. They are not universal products … some of the composite products will not work with typical 16″ spacing when replacing a wood deck — especially one that’s not firm to begin with. If you are doing a composite — read the specifications and installation instructions. It’s not like the old days where you had to simply choose between different species of wood.

Slippery decking can pose a serious safety risk, particularly in winter when you add sub-zero temperatures, ice and snow to the already-wet conditions. If slip resistance is a priority for your decking, you should know what to look for when buying a composite decking. Composite decking on its own has better slip resistance than wood decking.