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When you’re investing in your home’s exterior, one of the best areas to spend money is on your deck. Providing you with a place to gather with friends and family, you want your deck to perform for years to come. But have you ever considered that the materials you use to create your deck can directly impact how long it will last before it will need repairs or replacement? Composite decking has become a popular choice over the past few years, delivering a high-quality surface for your deck. If you’re not familiar with composite decking, here’s a quick look at the material and how it can benefit your deck project.

Panel of Composite Decking

  • Composite decking is a highly durable material. Unlike wood decking, which can fade, rot, mold, split or cup, composite decking retains its strength and beautiful appearance for years. Though it can contain some amount of wood products as part of its matrix, it’s resistant to rot and insect damage, making it a strong, safe option for family fun.
  • Because it holds up so well to the elements, it’s a very low-maintenance material. You’d rather be out there having run instead of maintaining your deck, right? Wash it down with soap and water or a power washer every once in a while, and avoid the hassle of sanding, staining, painting or sealing. Many of today’s composite deck materials are warrantied for several decades to deliver exceptional performance and beauty.

Composite Decking

  • What about its appearance? You used to be able to only get composite decking in treated-lumber green and tan. Fortunately, today’s manufacturers have responded to the public’s demand for a variety of options and is available in tones from reds to grays, giving you a much better selection to match your home’s existing appearance. Some are even trying to mimic the appearance of tropical hardwoods, including the streaking of different colors that appear in such materials. Many manufacturers have broadened their offerings to include matching railings, gates and pergolas.
  • Did you know that it’s actually a more earth-friendly option? Traditional lumber decking needs to be manufactured from new lumber from a specific part of the tree, but composite decking can take advantage of what would otherwise only be waste material. Many manufacturers today are even including recycled wood scrap and plastic products in their composite matrix, keeping these materials out of the landfill.
  • Let’s talk cost for a moment. When it comes to the immediate cost of your deck, composite decking is a little bit higher than wood. However, if you factor in the cost of maintenance materials and your time, most composite materials will pay for the difference in under a decade. If you factor in potential risk of falls and injuries from unnoticed insect damage and rot, splits or splinters, it pays for itself much faster by avoiding the doctor’s visits.

Composite Decking around pool
By investing in the composite decking, you’re ensuring that your deck will continue to be a haven for you for years to come. But what if you’re not sure if this type of decking will work best for your situation? The experienced associates at Poulin Lumber are here to help. Please feel free to contact us today for more information, with any questions or to get a quote for your project. At Poulin Lumber, our job is helping you keep your projects rolling.

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