Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Composite Decking for Your Outdoor Space
Discover the essential factors for selecting the best composite decking, including types, quality levels, profiles, and installation tips. This comprehensive guide helps homeowners choose durable, stylish, and eco-friendly decking options suitable for any outdoor project, ensuring long-lasting outdoor spaces with expert insights and practical advice.
Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Composite Decking for Your Outdoor Space
In recent years, composite decking has become increasingly popular among homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts eager to enhance their yards with durable and attractive decking solutions. This surge in interest is largely due to the eco-friendly nature of composite materials, which often incorporate recycled plastics and wood waste. By choosing composite decking, you not only improve the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space but also contribute positively to environmental sustainability. If you're considering installing a new deck made of composite materials, understanding the various types, qualities, profiles, and installation considerations is essential for making an informed decision that aligns with your budget, style preferences, and durability needs.
Understanding the Main Types of Composite Decking Boards
Composite decking boards come in several varieties, each suited to different aesthetic tastes, installation requirements, and performance expectations. Recognizing these types can help you select a product that offers the best value and longevity for your specific project.
Two-sided Decking Boards: This budget-friendly option is widely available from reputable brands like Veranda® and is available at big-box stores such as The Home Depot™. These boards typically feature a wood-like grain texture on one side and a brushed finish on the other, providing versatility in appearance. Designed with a slotted profile, these boards allow for easy installation using hidden fasteners. They are usually priced at approximately $4.50 per square foot, making them an economical choice for cost-conscious homeowners seeking reliable performance.
Resin-coated Composite Boards
Resin-coated composite boards are encased with specialized resin coatings that give them a sleek, modern finish. This coating significantly enhances the board’s resistance to common types of damage such as staining, fading, and scratching. The resin covers both sides of the board, providing extra durability. These boards follow a slotted profile for easy fastening and are typically priced around $5.80 per square foot. This type appeals to homeowners looking for a balance of aesthetics and resilience, especially in decks exposed to high foot traffic or challenging weather conditions.
100% Plastic Material Boards
Made predominantly from virgin PVC (approximately 99%), 100% plastic composite boards resemble traditional composite variants but deliver superior durability. These boards are engineered to be highly resistant to scratches and stains, making them ideal for busy outdoor environments where spills and impacts are common. The inclusion of wood fiber in some formulations further enhances stain resistance and safety, especially against food stains or other messes. They are generally more robust than polyethylene-based options and feature a tough surface that maintains its appearance over years of use.
Different Quality Tiers in Composite Decking
Basic Quality: Entry-level composite decking often exhibits uneven shaping and deep grain textures. Typically measuring around 5 inches in width, these boards come in a limited color palette, mainly including red, brown, and gray. The underside of these boards often features ridges, limiting their usability to one side. They are suitable for low-budget projects or secondary decks where aesthetic perfection is less critical.
Mid-range Quality: Offering an improved finish over basic options, mid-range composite boards usually have two usable sides and are available in four different color options. These boards measure around 5½ inches wide, which is the standard width for most composite decking projects. They provide a balance between affordability and appearance, making them suitable for most residential applications.
Premium Quality: Crafted to mimic tropical hardwoods, premium composite decking features streaks of multiple pigments to achieve a rich, natural look. These boards are characterized by smooth, slip-resistant surfaces with minimal texture for safety and ease of walking. Costing approximately $5.90 to $6.50 per square foot, premium boards are ideal for those seeking a luxurious, high-end appearance that will withstand the test of time and weather.
Profiles Commonly Used in Composite Decking
Slotted Profile: Recognized by grooves on both sides, this profile type is compatible with hidden fastener systems from numerous manufacturers. It is highly popular for its clean appearance and ease of installation. Starting at about $4.60 per square foot, slotted boards are a preferred choice for modern deck designs.
Solid Profile: These thicker, non-grooved boards can be fastened either on the face or edges, and both sides are usually usable. Their versatility makes them suitable for custom projects where a more robust appearance or specific fastening techniques are required. Their price starts at approximately $4.60 per square foot.
Open Flange Profile: This profile features an open flange that reduces the weight of the decking boards, making handling and installation easier. However, it might slightly compromise overall stability. Hidden fasteners are used for a sleek finish, with costs beginning at about $5.90 per square foot.
Key Considerations for Installing Composite Decking
Joist Spacing: Correct spacing of joists is vital to ensure the stability and longevity of your deck. Generally, spacing joists more than 16 inches apart can lead to sagging over time. When installing, screws should be placed about ¾ inch from the edges and ends of the boards to prevent cracking or damage. Proper joist spacing and fastener placement are crucial for a durable deck structure.
Spacing Between Boards: Maintaining appropriate gaps between decking boards is essential for drainage, mildew prevention, and overall maintenance. Gaps that are too narrow can trap debris, leading to stains or water retention, which accelerates degradation. Using 16d nails or screws for spacing helps ensure consistent gaps, typically around ¼ inch, for effective drainage and ventilation.
