
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