In fact, modern day composite decking is often very simple to install for someone familiar with deck installation. Composite can even be easier to install than most traditional wood decking due to how the boards are attached.

• UltraShield® composite decking has a layer of protection that keeps the core of your decking boards safe from mold or mildew, which can break traditional decks down over time.
• Using high-quality recycled plastic materials in all our composite decking boards, tiles, railing, siding, bird feeders, deck fasteners, planter boxes and more.
• Composite wood is made of a combination of wood fibers and high-density recycled polyethylene plastic materials.
• To find out more about Infinity composite decking, fill out Fortress' contact us form.
• It’s just one example of the thoughtful engineering that Fortress Building Products puts into its whole line, from decks to railings to fences.

Facts About Composite Decking

Getting composite decking 20 years ago meant you were signing up for a singular “look.” To many though, the benefits of composite outweighed the lack of variety. Different brands offer different colors and textures with major headway being made in the design and look. ” – a great selling point – but it’s not entirely accurate. While it is true that composite decking requires much less maintenance than traditional wood, it doesn’t mean there’s no maintenance.

Composite Decking: Does It Really Stack Up?

Can You Install New Decking Over Old Deck Boards?

The eco-benefits of composite extend beyond the recycled materials used in the decking’s manufacture. Because the components are virtually maintenance-free, gallons of stain and/or sealant are saved. More durable than wood, composite decking stays out of the landfill longer. Another hang-up came with the discrepancy between the thickness of the deck boards. When I installed the new boards, they revealed 1/2 inch of unpainted siding along the bottom of the three walls surrounding the deck. To hide this I needed to add trim, and settled on a kind of makeshift base moulding for the deck.

Another mistake to avoid when installing composite decking is spacing the joists too far apart. Current building codes require that all decks should be supported with a minimum of 2”x 10” pressure treated pine joists that are spaced 24” apart (although 16” OC is standard building practice).

Do you want a pink deck, or alternating purple and yellow boards? Just remember that, whatever color you choose, you can’t just change your mind and paint over it. Initial costs of composite decks will likely be higher, both for materials and labor.

Here, I should interject that the homeowner decided to keep the existing wood handrail system , with the intention to stain the wood to match the color of the deck. To match the base trim to the railing, I ripped some 2-by-2 trim pieces from 2-by-4’s on my table saw, which would also be stained. I then ripped a bevel along one edge to ease the profile a bit. I used a miter saw to cut them to length and to cut all the 45-degree corners. Granted, base trim for interior applications isn’t typically this bulky, but this was a deck, and I was trying to keep the wood thick and strong to resist warping from exposure. I was also relying on the protection of a high-quality wood preservative.

Some capstock manufacturers, such as Fiberon and Timbertech, now guarantee some of their products against excessive fading. But, most continue to specifically exclude color changes, fading and graying from their warranties. Trex, the largest manufacturer of composite decking, has been sued more than once due to excessive mold and mildew build-up on its composite decking and had to pay out big dollars in settlement.

The Hulk hidden fastener system has screws that are 40 mm long and will go into a two-by-four without the hitting the concrete beneath. This hidden fastener system gives your deck a sleeker, more sophisticated look while also leaving the boards caps intact and better able to resist moisture. It’s just one example of the thoughtful engineering that Fortress Building Products puts into its whole line, from decks to railings to fences.

This is especially important for walking on the deck barefoot, and for children and pets, whose feet are sensitive. Invented in the late 1980s, wood-plastic composite decking (also called “composite wood decking”) is made of wood fibers encased in plastic.

Most of that work is simply spraying down your deck with a hose, but it’s still technically work. While “no maintenance” may be a misnomer, low maintenance is a reality when it comes to composite decking. A little soap and water every few months will keep your composite deck looking brand new year after year. For additional insights on wood vs. composite decking, and to see how MoistureShield stacks up against other types of decking materials, check out ourDeck Material Comparison Chart. So unless some sort of anti-fungal material is added, wood flour can be a very attractive home for mold and mildew. Manufacturers caution in their care instructions that keeping the deck free of pollen and debris that may be food sources for mold is important to assuring a mold-free deck.