Time for you to install a decking but unsure whether to choose natural wood or composite materials? We will explain the main differences to facilitate your choice.
No matter what your decision is, a decking is like adding a new leisure space in your house. You will spend a lot of time there when the weather is right! With the main differences explained below, it will be easier to choose between wood and composite decking.
The look
While early versions of composite decking didn’t look as good as wood, newer models definitely can stand the comparaison. Of course, it will never be the same, but untrained eyes will unlikely see the difference.
In the case of composite decking, the texture and colour will be more consistent. At Kaltimber, we prefer the diversity brought by the different grain of each board, but it really is a matter of your own taste.
Unbeatable beauty - FSC certified ironwood decking
Maintenance and lifespan.
Nature did many things perfectly. In doing so, a natural wood decking can last a lifetime. This is particularly true if the deck is made of recycled hardwood from essences like ironwood. Once installed, it is likely to be part of your grandchildren’s legacy!
However, in most cases, wood requires more maintenance than composite deckings, including when avoiding the wood to get slippery. A composite deck won’t require such cleaning and extensive maintenance. No need to treat or stain to prevent moisture damage for example. The downside here is that your installation won’t last more than 20-30 years.
What about the cost?
It is a hard question to answer without knowing the market conditions in your area. However, as a general rule of thumb, the price will vary based on the chosen wood species versus the brand of composite decking.
At the moment, lumber is very expensive as we covered in our last article. Therefore, chances are that composite decking is cheaper. However, since most of the latter is shipped from China and that container shipping is also very expensive,wood and composite prices might balance each other out.
Environmental aspect
More and more buyers consider the environmental impact of their purchase. When it comes to wood versus composite decking, the key will be to look at if either the wood and/or plastic are recycled. Composite decking is sometimes made from a mixture of plastic and wood fibres. If the wood component is often recycled material, it is more rare for plastic. Plastic production has strong negative impacts on the environment, it is important to look at the details.
When choosing wood decking, consider the purchase of FSC certified species