Composite Decks or Wooden Decks

As with most things in life, both Wood and Composite materials come in good, better, best quality. The better grade will be more in cost and have a longer lifespan than those on the lower end of the spectrum. Listed are my pros and cons of Composite and Wood. You can decide your priority in one or the other.

COMPOSITE

Manufacturer Limited Warranty for material. Some composites now offer a 5-year labor warranty.

Higher in cost

Low Maintenance

Scratching, fading & staining has improved from the previous years.

If problems occur and need to replace its hard to get new material to match old material.

Need to like the color, it will be yours for a long time.

More cost in framing to meet manufacturers Warrantees for decking

Will the company be there to warranty product and will your issue be excluded from their warranty?

Most composites are made from recycle material (Have not solved the problem of where old composite decking goes. landfills now.)

Appearance may look fake but has much improved.

Warm to hot on feet in the heat of the day, but color contributes to warmth.

Expansion and contraction of the composite will be more than wood.

WOOD

No Manufacture Warranty on most wood. (Acetylated wood now offers 10-year limited Warranty.)

Lower in cost

Higher in Maintenance

Can always sand & stain to fix problems

Easy to match

Can always change

Less cost in framing because of greater spans for decking

Most Wood has no warranty but is always available

Most wood is now farmed. Planted and harvested for construction

Appearance looks beautiful and full of character

Cooler on feet, but need to be aware of stain color chosen

Wood has minimal expansion and contraction