Not much. While it can get much hotter than wood (i.e., 34 to 76 degrees F hotter), some composite versions are heat resistant. Pick the right one, and you are sure to have the perfect, cool-to-the-touch deck for your next gathering.
Does composite decking get hotter?
While older variations of the material could heat up significantly, newer renditions of composite decking will not get hotter than traditional wood. On average, the surface of composite decking can become 35° – 76° F hotter than the surrounding air. However, natural timber decking will hold onto that same heat for longer than the composite boards.
Is TimberTech composite decking heat resistant?
Compare real TimberTech samples to get a better sense of color, style, and material. Heat resistant composite decking is ideal for poolside decks and decks in full sun. If you’re the owner of such a deck — or are considering building one — you’ve likely already wondered: Is there composite decking that doesn’t get hot?
What are the disadvantages of composite decking?
Among the disadvantages of composite decking, heat retention remains at the top of the list. Wood composite decks exposed to direct sunlight can easily become too hot to walk on with bare feet. Unfortunately, hot decking prevents homeowners from fully enjoying their investment and presents a safety risk for children and pets.
Is composite wood actually cooler than Cedar?
It was surprising that the composite was actually cooler than cedar and it was also surprising that the range of temperature between the lighter and darker colors was only four degrees. I expected a much larger range of temperature.
Can I paint a composite deck?
Can composite decks be heated?
Is composite decking the same as wood?
Do composite deck boards get hot?
Is composite decking maintenance free?
Is composite wood hot?
But how hot can composite decking get in the sun? One study found that in direct sunlight, composite decks can reach temperatures from 34° to 76° F hotter than the surrounding air. On an 80° day, that could mean a deck surface temperature of more than 150°.
Is composite decking hot to touch?
Both Wood and Composite Decking Are Hot in the Sun to Walk On. All decking will be hot to the touch. Steps can be taken to reduce the decking temperature, but it will still be hot to the touch. Meaning that regardless if your decking is wood or composite, it will be hot in the sun.
How do I keep my composite deck cool?
6 Ways How to Keep Composite Decking Cool Enough to Walk OnPick The Right Composite Decking Material. ... Select Lighter Coloured Composite Decking Over Darker Ones. ... Shade Your Deck. ... Increase Ventilation Underneath The Deck. ... Cover Up With An Outdoor Rug. ... Wash The Deck Down With Cool Water.
Is there a composite decking that doesn't get hot?
While first generation composite decking did get hot in the sun, TimberTech has innovated beyond first-gen products. TimberTech capped polymer decking is engineered to be cooler to the touch, even in direct sunlight.
What are the pros and cons of composite decking?
While they often cost more than wood, composite materials offer the promise of greater durability and less maintenance. Wood is still the most common choice for deck material,1 but it doesn't last forever. Composites may be more durable, but they might lack the natural look and color you are looking for.
Does Trex get hot to walk on?
Like many other outdoor surfaces, such as concrete, asphalt, beach sand, wood decking, other brands of composite decking, etc., Trex decking can get hot due to weather and sun exposure.
Is Trex cooler than wood?
While early composite decks were very sensitive to temperature and did get notoriously hot, new composite decking materials are much more resistant to heat. High-quality modern composite boards don't become hotter than traditional wooden deck boards.
What are the problems with Trex decking?
Composite decking has a high rate of expansion and contraction due to temperature swings. It actually moves greater distances and more unexpectedly than traditional wood. When the boards expand and contract, they may split, delaminate, and peel. The movement can cause your decking to shrink, warp, twist, and bend.
Is Trex better than wood?
Unlike treated wood, which is susceptible to warping, rotting, or splintering over time, Trex composite decking doesn't fade, resists damage from the elements, and never needs sealing or painting. It's eco-friendly, too, because it's manufactured from high-quality recycled materials.
What type of decking that doesn't get hot?
When you're looking for the ultimate wood decking that stays cooler in the summer, there is not a better option than Ipe. Ipe decking packs in a lot of features and is one of our top choices for many reasons. It's a very dense wood which makes it incredibly durable and causes it retains less heat than its counterparts.
Does composite decking get hotter than concrete?
Wood boards or composite plastic decking allow heat to transfer, rather than absorb, much more readily. While concrete won't stay cool in ten hours a day of direct sunlight, it certainly won't fry an egg or burn your feet at the beach.
Do Trex deck boards get hot?
Like any other outdoor surface exposed to sunlight and heat, Trex composite decking can become hot.
Are All composite decks hot?
High-quality modern composite boards don't become hotter than traditional wooden deck boards. In addition, the lighter the color of the composite deck boards that you choose, the cooler they will stay in direct sunlight. Keep reading for answers to more composite deck questions answered by your expert deck builder.
How much hotter is composite decking vs wood?
While older variations of the material could heat up significantly, newer renditions of composite decking will not get hotter than traditional wood. On average, the surface of composite decking can become 35° – 76° F hotter than the surrounding air.
What are the problems with composite decking?
Composite decking has a high rate of expansion and contraction due to temperature swings. It actually moves greater distances and more unexpectedly than traditional wood. When the boards expand and contract, they may split, delaminate, and peel. The movement can cause your decking to shrink, warp, twist, and bend.
Does black decking get hot?
Just like clothing and other materials, darker colours tend to absorb more heat over time. Therefore, the darker your composite decking, the more heat it will absorb and the warmer it will become. Composite deck boards with a lighter surface tend to retain less heat in comparison to darker finishes.
Does Composite Decking Get Hot?
Composite decking can get hot. Composite decking can even get just as hot as a wood deck. It comes down to the colors you choose and the type of composite you want.
What Changes How Hot Composite Decks Can Get
Color. Lighter color decks tend to stay cooler than darker color decks. Light colors reflect heat so they don’t get nearly as hot. Darker colors absorb heat, raising the temperature of whatever it’s on. Lacquer’s also a hotter color.
Benefits of Composite Decks
Composite decks are a great option if you have a pool or a hot tub for multiple reasons. First, that area tends to get the most sunlight and a traditional wooden deck can be uncomfortable and potentially burn your feet when getting in or out. Second, composite decks do not rot over time, which is a problem for pool-side wooden decks.
The Problem with Wood
It is no surprise that wooden decks are popular. People love them for a variety of reasons. A well-built wooden deck adds a dimension of warmth and comfort to any home.
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When you are looking to invest in a quality deck, you want to make sure it will be installed efficiently and properly to ensure it has a long lifetime. You can trust your Grand Rapids deck builders to help you with your next project.
What is Composite Decking?
Composite wood decking is made of wood fibers and byproducts encased in plastic. The materials are often reused leftovers from other building materials, and therefore this decking is more environmentally friendly than milled wood or timber decking.
Why Can Decking Become Too Hot to Walk On?
Decks are flat, so they will reflect the sun’s rays more than the earth and grass in your yard. Therefore, decking in the sun, no matter the material, will be much warmer than your yard surrounding it.
Does Composite Decking Get Hotter Than Wood?
Natural wood timber and man-made composite decking transfer heat differently since the materials are different. Natural wood can collect and store more heat at its core than composite decking, where the heat is stored on the plastic surface.
Why do people choose composite decking?
Homeowners select wood composite decking to avoid the maintenance of wood and improve the longevity of their projects. Composite decking comes with a series of shortcomings including its tendency to become too hot to walk on in sunny weather.
How can I cool down a deck?
Add curtains to your pergola or arbor for a sophisticated look that furthers your protection from the sun. To avoid spending money and time trying to cool down your deck, select the coolest decking material in the lightest or most heat-resistant colors.
Is composite decking hot?
Among the disadvantages of composite decking, heat retention remains at the top of the list. Wood composite decks exposed to direct sunlight can easily become too hot to walk on with bare feet. Unfortunately, hot decking prevents homeowners from fully enjoying their investment and presents a safety risk for children and pets.
Is Weardeck heat reflective?
At WearDeck, we prioritize the needs of our customers and include our heat-reflective technology in all our products. To maximize our heat-reflective technology, we designed our Barefoot Collection decking colors that stay cool enough for bare feet in extreme heat. Read on to learn more about heat problems with wood composite decking and how our fully synthetic boards offer an ideal solution.
What is the hottest color for cedar decking?
The hottest was cedar decking that had a dark red solid color stain on it, it came in at: 157 degrees.
What temperature is mahogany decking?
Fijian mahogany with a transparent stain came in at 130 degrees and raw mahogany came in at 121 degrees. So the results are in and plastic capped composites are right in the middle of most commonly used types of decking as far as temperature goes when in direct sun.
Is composite wood cooler than cedar?
It was surprising that the composite was actually cooler than cedar and it was also surprising that the range of temperature between the lighter and darker colors was only four degrees. I expected a much larger range of temperature.
What happens if a deck joist isn't level?
Joists that aren’t level can result in high or low spots throughout the deck, resulting in a wavy-looking deck. TimberTech decking will conform to the contour of the joists to which it is attached.
What is capped polymer deck board?
Our capped polymer deck boards are made with 100% synthetic material, which is less dense than traditional lumber or decking made from composite material and wood flakes. Less density means boards absorb and retain less heat.
Do lighter colored deck boards absorb heat?
You likely learned in school that lighter colors absorb less heat than darker colors, and that holds true for heat resistant composite decking. Choose one of these lighter colored deck boards for greater heat mitigation.
Is composite decking heat resistant?
Heat resist ant composite decking is ideal for poolside decks and decks in full sun. If you’re the owner of such a deck — or are considering building one — you’ve likely already wondered: Is there composite decking that doesn’t get hot? How do I find the best heat resistant material?
Does material get hot in the sun?
While all material will eventually get hot in the sun, the degree of heat buildup (how hot it gets and how fast) will vary.
Is TimberTech decking hot?
While first generation composite decking did get hot in the sun, TimberTech has innovated beyond first-gen products. TimberTech capped polymer decking is engineered to be cooler to the touch, even in direct sunlight.
Can I paint a composite deck?
Can I paint my composite deck? — NO! Painting a composite deck would cause serious damage. Although the composite boards have the look of wood, they aren’t! Since composite decks don’t lose their color over time, you won’t need to worry about painting them to keep them looking fresh — they remain beautiful on their own.
Can composite decks be heated?
While modern composite decks aren’t susceptible to temperature issues, there are still a few things you can do to keep your outdoor living space cool on even the hottest summer days.
Is composite decking the same as wood?
Composite decking has essentially replaced both wood and vinyl as the premier material for most new deck installations. It has the upscale look homeowners crave, has a legendary lifespan, and never needs stained or painted as wooden decks do.
Do composite deck boards get hot?
While early composite decks were very sensitive to temperature and did get notoriously hot, any new composite decking will be much more resistant to heat. High-quality modern composite boards don’t become hotter than traditional wooden de ck boards. In addition, the lighter the color of the composite deck boards that you choose, the cooler they will stay in direct sunlight.
Is composite decking maintenance free?
While composite doesn’t require any super-involved or time-consuming maintenance, you’ll still want to keep it clean, so the occasional sweep or wash down may be necessary to keep your deck looking great. Learn more about wood vs. composite decks.