Wood Vs. Composite Decking – How to choose?

Wood Decking, hardwood decking, softwood decking, softwood decking boards, wood decking price

Wood is a natural, general-purpose product used for manufacturing furniture, decks, building, plywood, among other things. It is known to be one of the strongest and most durable materials for construction. Industries Wood is produced from trees of various species, including oak, pine, mahogany, ebony, among others.

When it comes to deck building, composite is usually considered the best or most preferred alternative to natural wood/timber. Composite is a mixture of wood fiber and plastic, which is stronger and denser than normal wood.

It is generally made of recycled wood and plastic. So, what makes one good over the other? Let’s try to find out.

Wood or Composite – Which Is the Best Decking Material

Here are the top things to consider in order to make the right decision between wood or composite for decking.

1. Place

The pace where you’re planning to put the deck is going to be a major factor in deciding the wood decking type. You have to consider the various possibilities, like the amount of shade or sun at the place and whether you are going to use it in-house or outside in the full sun.

It matters because decks in open (full sun) are supposed to receive direct heat, which makes them prone to fading or warping. Also, sunlight can make them too hot to walk barefoot. On the other hand, decks in close areas like shades are likely to get mold or stains and require regular care.

As for the wood type, composites are usually better for in-shade decking because of high resistant to staining and rotting.

Read Also: Types Of Wood In Cameroon

Similarly, darker color composites are not ideal for open sun placing. So, bright-colored wood species like mahogany, ironwood, or iroko are ideal for such conditions. Wood with high rot resistance is perfect for in-shade decking.

2. Pests

When you’re using decks in the open, the chances of them getting hit by pests and insects are always high.

Carpenter bees are the most damaging of pests that can ruin your beautiful deck by making deep holes in it. If you are using wood decking, make sure that it is pressure treated, which makes it resistant to insects. Composite decking is also a good option because of its high pest resistance.

3. Maintenance

Like all other things in life, your decks require proper, regular care (cleaning), irrespective of whether it is made of wood or composite.

If you are considering wood for decking, be ready to finish it annually to avoid the risk of fading. Also, wood decking needs to be cleaned and re-stained once every 2-3 years, which is not a major issue unless your deck is large in size.

Pressure-treated wood is usually the best option. Teak is also a good option, considering you can find it at a good price. Try CameroonTimberExport for the best quality African timber.

4. Cost

Cost is also one of the important factors to consider while choosing material for decking. This is, in fact, a major reason why most people avoid composite decking because of the high initial cost.

Wood is a cost-effective alternative to that. When it comes to the best hardwood decking, most people would go with Teak because of its high rot-resistance. But, you should also consider the pricing, as teak does not come cheap. Alternatively, you can consider using Mahogany, which is an affordable option. Find a reliable timber supplier in your area and enquire about wood decking prices.

5. Softwood Vs Hardwood Decking

Both softwood and hardwood are used for decking. While the most common hardwood decking uses iroko and teak, the softwood decking is usually made of pressure-treated softwood.

Read More: Differences Between Hardwood And Softwood