Composite Decking – The Ultimate Choice in Materials for Your Deck

Composite decking boards are also extremely stable compared to wood decking material. With composite decking, expansion and contraction, as well as twisting, curving, and cupping are minimal or non-existent issues altogether.

Another major advantage of composite decking is that it can be worked with using standard building tools, include skill saws. The only recommendation is to use a higher tooth count blade when cutting the material to ensure cleaner cuts. Also, like wood decking materials, many composite decking cuts can be straight or curved. You can even use a router to bevel or chamfer the edges. However, there are some types of composite decking materials that may not be suited for this so ask about whether or not the specific type of composite decking material you’re considering can be beveled or chamfered if your plans include this.

Also, with some types of composite decking material small air bubbles in the composite decking can be exposed when you cut the boards leaving it a bit unsightly.

About the only real complaint with composite decking today is that it is just still so expensive compared to many wood decking materials. In some ways the cost is justifiable as it involves manufacturing, versus harvesting, and it offers so many advantages over wood decking materials. But on the other hand, it is made from recycled materials so you’d think its raw material costs would be low.

Also, typically there are still some minor fading issues with the newer composite decking materials. The amount of fading depends upon how the composite decking material is manufactured. Composite decking boards are colored throughout the depth of the board, which helps to mitigate some of the fading concerns. However, expect some minor fading in the first couple of months. Afterwards the color should be fairly stable. You also need to consider the spacing of deck floor joists when installing composite decking. 24 inch spacing between floor joists is highly not recommended. In some cases it may be wise to space floor joists every 12 inches when installing composite decking to make sure that there is no sagging of the composite decking planks in between the deck floor joists. Each specific composite decking manufacturer should be able to tell you their preferred joist spacing.

Also, if you use hollowed edge composite decking planks you’ll need to address the exposed ends, either by capping the ends or using a skirt around the periphery of the decking surface.

Finally, when it comes to fastening composite decking material to the deck frame you can use either deck nails or screws, just as long as their non-corrosive, e.g. galvanized or stainless steel. Deck screws, however, are typically more recommended. Also, when using screws it is highly recommended to countersink the screws a little bit below the adjacent grade of the deck plank surface.