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Top 3 Differences Between Composite Decking vs. Wood
When you need either a new deck for your house, a primary decision is choosing the material for the deck. The main two options are to use either a composite or wood. But, what are the significant differences between them and how do you decide between composite decking vs. wood?
At Exterior Additions, we are knowledgeable about both types of deck materials. In this article, we discuss the qualities and attributes of each material and outline the top 3 differences between the two. When looking at composite decking vs. wood, you will want to evaluate these factors.
Composite Decking
Composite decking is a man-made material made from a blend of wood fibers and plastic that looks like wood. It is designed to be more durable and require less maintenance than traditional wood decking. Composite decking resists some of the problems of wood decking such as warping, splintering, and insect damage, therefore, making it a lower-maintenance option while still offering a wood-line appearance.
Maintenance
Composite decks need only cleaning semi-annually with a simple pressure wash or even a simple intensive soap and water scrub. It doesn’t need sanding, sealing, or staining. If your home is in a harsh environment that gets heavy rain or snow, you may need to clean the deck more often.
Risk of Damage
A deck made with high-end composite should last for decades, barring any extreme circumstances like fire damage. Composite materials come with excellent warranties that make them a better long-term investment than wood. Some offer warranties of 25 to 50 years on deck boards and accessories.
Costs
Initial costs for composite materials tend to be higher than most wood materials.
Per installation costs: $30-$60 per square foot for installation
Typical deck material costs: $3,619 – $5,090 for a 35’ x 22’ deck
Maintenance costs: Negligible
Installing composite decking is more expensive upfront than using pressure-treated wood. However, maintenance costs for composites are drastically reduced to nearly zero. Because water wear and insect damage are not issues, the only costs are from:
- Physical damage
- Cleaning costs
If you are calculating the long-term investment, composite decks outperform wood deck costs within a decade.
Wood Decking
If you are a “wood purist,” you will gravitate toward natural wood for decking. Wood has some durability but requires more maintenance than composite materials. Water and insect damage are environmental factors that break down the structure of wood and result in the need to perform maintenance regularly.
Maintenance
Wood decks require maintenance every two years, including:
- Sanding
- Cleaning
- Staining
- Painting
- Sealing
When a wood deck is untreated or maintained, the wood and the deck as a whole can crumble. Whereas, a deck that is well cared for could last 15 years and beyond.
Risk of Damage
Moisture and insects are the two biggest culprits in damage that occurs to a wood deck. If a wood deck is not cared for, the following issues can occur:
- Warping
- Cracking
- Splintering
- Growing mold and mildew
- Rotting and weakening
In particular, insect and pest damage are significant problems if your wood deck has suffered water damage. Some softwoods must be treated regularly with chemicals to waterproof them and repel bugs. This can be an ongoing cost.
Costs
Wood is fairly inexpensive when compared to synthetic alternatives like composite decking. Yet, when looking at long-term costs the two may balance out.
Per installation costs: $15 – $30 per square foot for installation
Typical deck material costs: $1,271 – $2,880 for pressure-treated lumber
Maintenance costs: $451/year for pressure-treated lumber
Maintenance costs are recurring expenses that include:
- Staining and coating
- Pressure washing
- Adding water resistance/repairing water damage
- Repairing insect damage
- Repairing breakage
For example, an annual spending of $451 over 15 years accumulates to $6,765. Depending on the size of your deck and the natural threats of your local environment, the expense can be greater. Regular maintenance over the years requires a great deal of physical labor that you may or may not be ready for.
The Top 3 Main Differences Between Composite Decking vs. Wood
Based on the qualities of composite and wood, composite decking vs. wood boils down to these top 3 differences–cost, maintenance required, and longevity.
#1: Cost – Composite Decking vs. Wood
The upfront costs of a wood deck are less than those of a composite deck; however, the long-term costs are greater with wood. If you are looking at maintaining the deck over many years, the expenses you incur with a wood deck are much greater than with a composite. The bottom line is that you will spend more in maintenance over time with wood than you will with composite.
#2: Maintenance Required – Composite Decking vs. Wood
Wood decks require much more maintenance regularly to keep the deck in tip-top shape. The time and expense of routine maintenance for water and insect damage on a wood deck add up over the years. Whether it is staining, painting, sanding, or repairing splintered wood, there will be many issues on a wood deck that need a fix. A deck made of composite material requires very little work or money to maintain–a simple wash a couple of times a year takes care of it.
#3: Longevity – Composite Decking vs. Wood
The length of time a wood deck lasts is much shorter than that of a composite deck. A wood deck typically lasts about 15 years if it is taken care of well, whereas a composite deck will last 25 years or longer. Replacing the wood deck will be needed while the composite deck is still in great shape.
Contact Exterior Additions for Wood or Composite Decks
If you need a new deck, Contact Exterior Additions for knowledge and expert workmanship. We can give you information for your specific deck needs that will help you make the best decision possible.
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