what are the different types of composite decking

^{5 Types of Composite Decking Board and Their Usages}

1. Solid Composite Decking. Solid Composite Decking board is a common type of composite board that we tend to see a lot in our home.
2. Hollow Composite Decking. Hollow composite decking boards are also called Blank composite boards. ...
3. Uncapped Composites. Uncapped compound decking can be considered as the first-generation version of compound decking. There is a risk of fading, staining, and molding in uncapped compound decking boards.
4. Capped Composites. Capped Composites boards are very popular nowadays. This short-sized combined decking has a thin, PVC -like veneer, or cap.
5. Combined Boards. Combined decking boards are better than wood as it requires less maintenance. However, a little maintenance is needed.

Full Answer

What is the best composite decking?

This Might Be the Best Composite Decking—Find Out Why

• NewTechWood. A deck is an extension of a home, typically the place for outdoor entertaining and relaxing. ...
• Best capped composite in the industry. ...
• Deck colors and grain. ...
• Best deck hidden fastener system. ...
• Hidden deck fasteners on the border. ...
• Long deck board lengths. ...
• Affordable decking

How to compare composite decking brands and materials?

Composite Decking Comparison Tool. Our Decking Comparison Tool contains comparison data of the most popular decking materials available today. Compare the most popular Trex, AZEK, Fiberon, and TimberTech composite decking brands and product lines with our comparison tool below. Please click on any 3 items for direct comparison of pricing, colors, fire resistance, warranties and more.

What to look for in a composite decking?

• Natural variegated shades with organic texture.
• Timeless look of hardwoods in a lightweight board.
• Durable deck boards won’t splinter, sag or crack.
• Eovations™ technology provides the #1 strength-to-weight ratio on the market.

How to compare composite decking?

Composite Decking 101

• Materials. There are many different choices of composite decking today — ranging from the variety of colors and textures to stability and comfort.
• Capped vs. Uncapped. ...
• Installation Time. ...
• Appearance. ...
• Warranties. ...

What type of composite decking is best?

Trex Decking Among composite decking brands, Trex is an industry leader. The company offers the largest selections for those on a budget. Their decking is easy to use, making it the best DIY option. Due to how the decking is made, the boards are easy to install.

How many types of composite decking are there?

Composite Decking Materials Options to Choose From Ten years ago, there were around 10 choices total. Now there are more than 50 composite decking products available. You'll also find cellular PVC and plastic lumber (high-density polyethylene, or HDPE) decking that installs much the same as composite.

Are there different grades of composite decking?

Trex offers three tiers of composite decking—Transcend, Enhance, and Select. These are considered “good,” “better,” and “best,” with Transcend being best, Enhance being better, and Select being good.

What should I look for in a composite deck?

Consider Your Budget Even the best composite decking is only $3 to $7 per square foot. Find a variation in design and color of plastic and wood that will fit your home aesthetic. Consider the size of your deck and the cost of the installation systems. You can choose details right down to the texture of the deck.

What is the difference between Trex Select and Trex Enhance?

Trex Select is also considered slightly more scratch-resistant than Enhance, and the line comes in one more color. Trex Select's five color options have a bit more range to them, from the warm, reddish Madeira to the rich, cool Winchester Gray.

Which is better AZEK or Trex?

When comparing Trex vs Azek, there are Pros and Cons to both materials. Azek is quite a bit more expensive due to how it's made but it's a great long term value that's more durable than Trex. However, premium grade Trex isn't cheap, it's also very durable but has a more natural look and feel than Azek.

What are the disadvantages of Trex decking?

CONS OF COMPOSITE DECKINGThe cost of composite decking boards can be higher initially. ... Surface damage can be an issue in some cases. ... Composite deck surfaces can be more slippery. ... The surface of composite decking may be warmer than wood planks. ... If you prefer the look of real wood, composite isn't for you.

Does Trex Select scratch easily?

Unlike painted wood decks, Trex or any composite decking won't scratch or scuff easily. It's also highly resistant to marring (the disfiguration or sheen that you sometimes see after dragging a heavy object across a wood deck). Beyond that, Trex decking is also resistant to fading, staining, mold and mildew.

Which composite decking is most scratch resistant?

TimberTech offers the best scratch resistant composite decking so that all types of traffic — whether from two- or four-legged friends — won't take away from the beauty of your outdoor living space.

Is hollow or solid composite decking better?

It's usually a lot cheaper than solid decking and it can look perfectly good on the surface. But the difference in quality lies beneath the surface. Hollow deck boards have relatively poor structural stability. Solid decking, on the other hand, has a higher density and weight that makes it durable and long lasting!

Who has the best prices on composite decking?

Composite Decking Brand Price Comparison ChartBrandCost Per Linear FootCode Compliance ReportDeckorators$5.15ESR-1573Fiberon$4.15CCRR-0108 CCRR-0152Genovations$6.00ESR-1904GeoDeck$5.50ESR-136915 more rows

Is Trex decking worth the money?

Trex decks are worth it because you get what you pay for. They cost more than a treated lumber one, making up for your extra outlay of cash at the onset, and will last for years longer than the average treated deck, letting you more than recoup your investment. Trex decks are also low maintenance.

Types of Composite Decking Finishes

This is the most noticeable. The reason you will often be attracted to one board over another.

Profiles of Composite Decking

Next to the finish, this is the most noticeable difference, especially before installation.

Composite Decking Different Edges

Primarily about installation, but there are two typical edges for composite decking.

Material Include in Composite Decking

There are two true material blends of composite and one that I include as low-maintenance decking.

Why is composite decking so popular?

Composite decking is becoming more and more popular nowadays for several reasons. It helps to conserve the forest and it is environmentally friendly and can be used as an alternative to wood. There are different kinds of composite decking board which is used for different purposes.

What is uncapped decking?

Uncapped compound decking can be considered as the first-generation version of compound decking. There is a risk of fading, staining, and molding in uncapped compound decking boards. On the other hand, the caped combination decking has a cover that is attached to the core during the manufacturing process.

What is hollow composite board?

Hollow composite boards look a bit less like wood and require caps or fascia boards at the edges. It can get rotten if the plugs are not properly connected and the water can rot it. Uses: They are lightweight decking materials hence, used for installing cables and wires, Cladding and Siding, etc.

What are uncapped materials used for?

Hence, nowadays, they are less used in sustainable projects. But, they can be used in Pretty Planter Boxes, Birdhouses, and DIY projects. 4.

What is a solid board?

Solid boards are heavy and used to make the permanent floors of houses, hotels, and offices. Some of the cons of solid composite boards include their weight and their tendency to expand contract or warp in extreme weather conditions which can loosen fasteners around the joists.

Can you use composite decking on the perfect side?

If you don’t know the usages of different types of composite decking, you won’t get the proper idea to use them on the perfect side. But don’t worry about it. If you read the article properly, you will get the full idea about it. Different types of composite decking and their usages are given below.

Can you use composite decking?

You have to know about all types of decking properly to know which one will fit for you. Then you can use composite decking perfectly. If you don’t know the usages of different types of composite decking, you won’t get the proper idea to use them on ...

What is composite decking?

So-called composite decking comes in several forms, ranging from solid PVC plastic, to solid composites using 100 percent recycled plastics, to products that blend plastics and natural wood or bamboo fibers.

What are composite decking products made of?

Made of materials that include recycled and new plastic, bamboo, and wood fibers, these synthetic or composite decking products have evolved as an important alternative where green or eco-conscious materials are desired, such as in LEED-qualified or certified construction.

What is TimberTech made of?

TimberTech products are made from a solid PVC compound touted as being highly resistant to stains, scratches, splits, mold, and mildew. Although made from 100 percent PVC materials, the surface decking products feature an extremely realistic wood appearance. Railing products include both solid PVC and some composite materials.

What is Trex composite decking made of?

Trex. Trex. Trex composite decking is made from reclaimed plastic and wood materials. Most of these raw materials come from recovered plastic grocery bags, plastic film, and waste wood fiber. Trex buys approximately 300 million pounds of used polyethylene and an equal amount of hardwood sawdust each year.

How long is Trex decking warranty?

Trex offers limited warranty of 25 years, which is fairly standard for the composite decking industry.

What is the Lumber of Envision decking made of?

This makes for very dense and heavy decking boards with deeply textured surfaces. This "lumber" is made entirely from recycled plastics, with no natural wood fibers. The decking boards come with a 25-year limited warranty. Envision decking planks are formed by compression molding, creating solid boards.

What is Dura Life decking?

The decking is a blend of polypropylene (about 20 percent), recycled wood and plastic (about 25 percent), and hardwood flour (about 55 percent) that forms a material that is highly resistant to stains and damage.

What is a solid deck made of?

Solid boards, as the name suggests, are made of solid material, while hollow boards (also called engineered boards) feature ribbed centers.

What factors affect the durability of a deck?

Of course, other factors influence any deck structure’s durability. The strength of the joists, the quality of the materials, and the fasteners you use to put the structure together also play a part in determining its ability to withstand weight and the elements.

Why do people prefer solid deck boards?

Some homeowners prefer solid boards because they look more like the real lumber traditionally used for decking. Their deck board ends are more authentic looking because they don’t feature the tunnel-like design of hollow boards. Composite decking contains real wood (as well as plastic), but if you want your deck to look like it’s made ...

Why are solid deck boards so strong?

However, solid boards, because of their denser construction, are particularly strong. If you plan to load down your deck with heavy objects, such as hot tubs, grills, and furniture, solid boards might offer the most stability. Of course, other factors influence any deck structure’s durability.

Do hollow boards look uniform?

On the other hand, while hollow boards can look more manufactured, they can look more uniform. They don’t feature as many of the grain variations as do the solid boards, so if you prefer uniformity, hollow boards might work best for your deck.

What colors can you use for Lumberock composite decking?

When it comes to colors, you aren’t limited here. With Lumberock composite decking you can choose natural wood colors, stone colors or make a statement with turquoise, orange or blue decking. If you can imagine it, you will find it here.

What is plastic decking?

Plastic decking is a different breed of lumber-mimicking material. Composite decking planks have wood in them. Composite deck planks are made in a few different ways, they can be molded, pressed or hollow with end caps. These different manufacturing processes affect the strength, durability, longevity and cost of the planks themselves.

What is fiberon decking?

Fiberon is a brand that specializes in composite decking materials. They have everything you need from decking to fascia and railings. They also have one of the largest selections in both styles and colors to select. Whether you want a natural wood appearance or a stylish new look, you’ll find it here.

How long is a composite deck warranty?

Warranty. Warranties will vary across brands and even composite decking styles within brands. The industry average is about 10-years on the warranty coverage, but some extend well past this, and others fall well short. When browsing, make sure you know the coverage terms of the warranty for that particular style.

What is solid core construction?

The Solid Core construction means there is zero water absorption, no damage from insects, rot, and the planks won’t warp, bow or crack. Of course they can’t be all perfect. Because MoistureShield focuses on the construction and durability, the style options are limited and fading is a concern.

What are vision planks made of?

There are three lines to shop, Vision, Elevate and Vantage. All three planks are made from Solid Core. This is a proprietary construction method that presses and molds the planks resulting in a solid piece. All planks are also water resistant to the point they are warranties against absorbing moisture at any time.

Can composite wood be dyed?

Color and Style. Composite wood can be dyed and constructed in almost any color imaginable. Many brands try to stick to natural wood colors, but there are some truly unique pieces out there.

What to Consider When Buying Composite Decking?

With tons of features and product lines to compare, choosing a composite product can get overwhelming fast. The most important thing to consider is what you’ll use this deck for.

Deckorators

Unlike other composite brands, some Deckorators’ product lines use minerals instead of wood pulp. Mineral-Based Composite provides some incredible advantages, like that it has 34% better grip than other composite decking, it 35% lighter than other composites, and has virtually no thermal expansion or contraction.

Fiberon

As one of the top three composite brands, Fiberon is also a top industry innovator. Their focus is on sustainability, with some of their products being made with over 90% recycled products. They also offer one of the longest warranties in the business, between 30 and 50 years depending on product line (25 years is the industry standard).

MoistureShield

If you live in a rainy or scorching climate, or you’re looking for a pool-side decking, you’re going to love MoistureShield. MoistureShield was designed to hold up to water. While all capped composites can withstand moisture to a point, MoistureShield has less than 0.06% swelling even when soaked in water.

TimberTech AZEK

TimberTech AZEK has a lot of the same advantages as Fiberon. They both offer composite and PVC decking (the AZEK line being PVC). They’re both rated for use in Wildland Urban Interface zones in case of wildfire. And they both have longer warranties than industry standard, with TimberTech Pro featuring a 30 year warranty.

Trex

When most people think of composite decking, they think of Trex. But their reputation is all over the place, especially depending on the product line. Their main advantages are their standard 25-year warranty that they offer some of the most affordable composite decking options.

Wolf Decking

Like Fiberon and AZEK, Wolf Decking offers both composite and PVC decking. They have the most affordable PVC decking in the industry, which lets you get a higher quality deck for the same price. Their Serenity line is at the top of the industry for slip resistance.