Decks and Patios - Synthetic Decking Materials
About Synthetic Decking Materials
Introduction
If low maintenance is your basic concern in putting up decks, consider using synthetic decking material. Synthetic decking is also easy to install that is why it is gaining popularity in most houses today.
If you are looking for deck materials that will withstand the test of time but don’t have the energy and time to invest frequent maintenance, synthetic decking may be a good option. You can find many of the intricate detailing features in synthetic decking than with other building materials like wood or metal. Some material even comes with warranties. Synthetic decking materials can be painted and weatherproof just as you would with real materials. Wood Composites
The most popular synthetic decking today is wood composite. Wood composite offers a uniform look to the finished deck aside from being low maintenance deck. Wood composites don’t look just like wood, contrary to some advertising. Wood composite are also expensive as decking made from a high-grade, non pressure-treated lumber and often more expensive. Most composites are made from recycled plastic and ground-up waste wood.
The two approaches in making decking composites are solid and hollow. The solid version of solid of composite decking is available and more closely imitates real wood. The hollow version is lighter in weight than the solid version and much stronger. Both versions are applied like ordinary wood lumber, you can use standard tools such as circular saw, drill and screwdriver. You can also get split ends from over tightening the screws. Use composites in lighter colors, close to white as possible, because dark composites tend to heat up and hold their heat in bright summer sunlight more than ordinary wood.
Synthetic Decking Advantages
Low Maintenance – A series of tests exposing sections of real wood and 16 synthetic material to the elements for more than a year, the synthetics accumulated less dirt than wood and were usually easier to clean than wood.
They Hold Their Looks - Synthetic deck materials accumulate less mildew compared with solid wood and cracks hardly at all.
Competitive Price – Most synthetic deck materials have moderate prices that are comparable with cedar or tropical wood known as IPE.
Design Options – Synthetic decks offers a wide range of design to homeowners. Many of the synthetic decks are available in different colors such as white, gray, and several shades of brown. Surface textures also include smooth like plastic lawn furniture, subtle wood grain, ridges, and other un-wood like patterns. Some composite planks are flexible enough that it can be easily curved into shapes and patterns that would require much money and skill to duplicate solid wood.
Synthetic Wood Deck
If you’re tired of the work and expense of cleaning and sealing your new deck, consider synthetic wood decking. The styles and materials of synthetic wood decks available today offers appearance and stability of wood without the added expense of annual maintenance. With the improvements made to synthetic wood deck’s appearance, synthetic wood decking can be made closely resemble wood grains. Synthetic wood deck can be installed much the same way as wood, but drilling pilot holes close to the end of a piece is also recommended. Installation costs will much differ much from wood than the savings in the time and the effort required for annual maintenance.
Synthetic wood decking is available in polyethylene composites that are manufactured from soft recycled plastics. Some are also made from polypropylene composites, such as that of found in computer keyboards, which are made of harder recycled plastics. The type and style of synthetic wood decks depends on your location, surrounding landscaping and budget. Keep in mind that synthetic decking will be cheaper on a “by the year” average in term of maintenance.
