Are you looking to upgrade your deck but don’t want to stick with plain wood this time around? Wood is a wonderful and classic material to use, but maybe it didn’t hold up quite as well with the daily lives of your family. Maybe you want to try out something different that will match your home a little more. At Hen-House Decks, we’re happy to say we are certified Platinum Pro installers of Trex, which is a high-performance composite decking among other materials. Here’s why this material is superior to other brands.
- Low Maintenance: One of the biggest downsides of wood is that even with regular maintenance, it will eventually need to be replaced. On top of that, wood needs quite a bit of upkeep to make it last as long as possible. You’ll need to handle periodic staining, painting, or a sealant. Throughout the lifespan of a wood deck, these will have to be reapplied to protect the wood. With composite decks, none of those finishing layers are required to keep the surface safe. It’s durable, lasting through all kinds of weather change including heavy amounts of rain and high humidity.
• Long-Lasting: Wood is a natural material, therefore it expands and contracts with the weather and changing season. It’s also prone to rotting or splitting especially if it’s older wood. Composite material has a durable outer shell which means you’ll never have to worry about cracking, warping, or rotting even years after it’s been installed.
- Eco-Friendly: While wood comes from nature, the biggest issue is that the trees are getting cut down faster than they can grow. It takes most species of trees years to fully mature and be strong enough for building. Trex’s composite material is that it’s 95% recycled plastic and wood. It’s a responsible and guilt-free way of having a beautiful addition to your home.
• Much Safer: If a wooden deck starts to crack or warp, you have to worry about splinters sticking up. You or your family members may love running around outside in your bare feet or even sitting on the deck to enjoy the weather. Splinters are the last thing you want to worry about. Because of how sturdy composite material is, there’s no chance of any splintering. It’s even resistant to mold and mildew, which wood can attract if it’s wet for long enough.
- Overall cost: One advantage wood has over composite is that the installation cost is less expensive. However, wood decks need a lot more maintenance throughout its lifetime which is going to cost a lot more over the years. Composite never has to be stained, painted, or resealed. While it costs more upfront, overall you’ll be spending a fraction of the cost on maintenance.
