Is Composite Decking Cheaper Than Wood Decking?

Nowadays, the choice between both comes down to your own budget and personal preferences. While they often cost more than wood, composite materials offer the promise of greater durability and less maintenance. Wood is still the most common choice for deck material,1 but it doesn't last forever.

• The tiles are made using high quality density recycled composite plastic material.
• The tiles are easy and quick to fix which enables it to be fixed without much time wastage.
• Ultrashield natural outdoor composite deck tiles are outfitted by exotic composite finish to give it a trendy look.
• They therefore offer the perfect solution for decks and roof top patios.

Wood Decks Vs Composite Decks

You may see some paint brands that say they work with composite wood. However, it’s a safer bet to contact the installer or the manufacturer for your composite to check. Over the life of a deck, the costs between real wood and composite wood tend to even out. This is due to the larger ongoing maintenance cost that real wood requires. However, if you’re trying to stick to a budget for the initial installation, composite wood may be outside your grasp. Real wood has a less expensive initial cost than composite wood because the material itself is cheaper.

Now, Lets Talk About Composite Decking:

Woven types of bamboo is much more resistant to this problem, but still not waterproof. In standard moist areas and hot climates bamboo will serve you well. However, it is in fact a thing, and many homeowners find this type of decking best suits their needs. It also is easy to install, which makes it a great candidate for DIY projects.

Don’t expect any cheap options when it comes to hardwood decking. Most of those come from South America and South-East Asia with their own specific traits, colour and grain differences. Wood decking made from natural and high-quality materials can be considered an investment. It ranges from 20 to 40 years depending on how well you maintain it. Maintenance is mandatory if you want your wood deck to last. While composite decks can help resist rotting and are considered more durable than wood, it doesn’t mean they’re completely safe from damage.

Decks Vs Patios: Which Option Is Cheaper?

If you compare the installation costs of patios vs. decks, it is quite clear that patios are generally cheaper, but that’s just half the story. Depending on the materials used, it is still possible for patios to cost more to install than decks.

However, manufacturing advances have led to composites thatemulate the rich, natural look of woodwithout the hassles of maintaining a wood deck. If you’re on a budget and the price tag of a composite deck is just too much, then a wooden deck is a great alternative. The lowest cost per square foot for a pressure treated pine deck sells for about half the price of composite, $15 versus $30 installation, respectively. Even high-end wood like cedar and redwood still come in under the price for the lowest composite decking. The original and oldest choice for decking materials, decks have been using wood for their makeup since their existence, so we know it’s a proven material that looks great.

Natural wood decks are the most demanding, requiring annual refinishing, which sometimes means sanding, removal of last year's finish, and application of a new finish. If you love the look of natural wood and you're up for the upkeep, it's definitely worth it. To cut through the numerous choices, it is helpful to figure out which wood decking you like best then compare that to your favorite composite.

Depending on your budget and the needs of your project there are lots of options available. What to Look for in Quality Waterproof Composite Decking Materials. Composite decking is a blend of synthetic and natural materials. Although non-permeable plastic was a large part of the mix, these weren't waterproof boards.

How Are Composite & Wood Decking Different?

This is due to the fact that the better part of the composite mixture (around 60 to 80%) is made of pieces of wood. The rest of it is reserved for compounds, such as polyethylene, UV-stabilisers, pigments and so on. Therefore, this type of material is also known as WPC – wood polymer composite. Composite decking vs. wood, which is better for your deck project? There are pros and cons to both materials and plenty of options to choose from at the home improvement store. Whether you plan to DIY the deck yourself or hire a professional, it’s important to do your research before investing in any type of composite or wood products for your project. In this article we’ll take look at composite decking vs. wood to help you save time and money and make the best decision.

This makes DuraLife one of the best composite decking brands for hot weather regions. On the other hand, composite decking won’t need any maintenance beyond the seasonal cleaning. DuraLife’s composite decking is stain, fade, and mold-resistant, so there’s no need to refinish it every few years like there is with wood. While wear and tear might take a bigger toll on wood decking, composite decking can last for decades. With wood decking, there’s the chance it may fade in color, requiring another coat of paint, stain, or sealer, as often as every one to three years.