Composite Decking VS Wood Decking

Composite Decking vs. Natural Wood
When deciding on deck building materials, you essentially have two choices, composite decking, and natural wood decking. They both have advantages and disadvantages as we will cover in this article.
​

•  Durability

Natural wood is a beautiful material to build a deck with; however, it has some inherent drawbacks. Natural wood is susceptible to warping, termites, wood rot, and splintering. The wood will also need to be resealed or stained every few years as the sun and mother nature will take a toll on it. Given these drawbacks, the average lifespan of a wooden deck is in the range of 10-30 years.
On the other hand, Composite decks are not subject to the same durability weaknesses as wood decks are. A properly installed composite deck will last over twice as long on average while also saving against upkeep and maintenance. There is no wood rot, termites, staining, or sealing to worry about with composite decking.

• Maintenance

Composite and wood decks both provide beautiful outdoor sitting areas, but wooden decks also require regular maintenance and upkeep. On average, home or business owners will spend between 12-24 hours per year cleaning, staining, sealing, or painting their wood decks. Even with proper maintenance, your wood deck is still susceptible to wood rot and termites.
Composite decks require much less maintenance than natural wood. In most instances, all that is required is a frequent washing down with a garden hose or power washer. Some homeowners also scrub their composite decks with soap and a soft-bristled brush. On average, a home owner will only spend about 4-6 hours per year, maintaining their deck.

• Cost

The difference in the cost of wood decks vs. composite decks is a bit misleading. A wood deck would appear to be the much smarter option given the large price difference on the surface. However, the upfront savings may end up costing much more in the long run. You have already read about the durability and upkeep requirements of each type of decking material. When you add up all the different cost variables associated with each material, they are almost even. The real separator is the lifespan, as composite decking can last up to twice as long as wood decking.


Ultimately both materials will provide you with an aesthetically pleasing deck or patio. The next important factor is to find the best deck builders in your area. The proper steps must be taken in the construction process to ensure that whatever material you choose to go withstands the test of time and is safe.

---