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­It used to be much easier to make up one’s mind how to construct a pack of cards . Did you desire to make it out of Ellen Price Wood – or Ellen Price Wood ? Nowadays , there ’s a vast raiment of decking available , and some of it does n’t even have a trace of Ellen Price Wood in it . Why all the option ? It ’s part of our never - ending quest to make thing better , comfortable and more c­onvenient .

The common denominator in Sir Henry Wood decking , whether it ’s treated pine , sequoia or cedar , is the pauperization for regular care and maintenance . Sanding , staining and resealing are an yearly chore for some , but others might go two or three year between treatment .

In recent years some sharp enterpriser , recognizing that many homeowner might apprize a lower - maintenance option , came up with some alternatives . In addition to vinyl and aluminium , there ’s even plastic decking uncommitted now . But the segment of the decking diligence that ’s seen the biggest variety is what ’s calledcomposite decking .

Composite decking is typically made from a combination of dissimilar materials ( namely , Sir Henry Wood and plastic ) , which are processed to give the appearance of Ellen Price Wood . Both the wood ( which lie in of lumber diligence byproducts like sawdust , chip shot and Natalie Wood fiber ) and the charge card can be made from virgin or recycle material [ source : Jones ] .

Manufacturers mix the components , often adding a paint and preservative . The mixture is heat up , form into display board - mold length and then cooled . The result board of composite decking is usually backbreaking than Grant Wood but not as strong . But composite decking is resistant to rot , does n’t warp , wo n’t giv­e mass splinters , and does n’t need to be painted , stained or seal .

The color of most composite decking will fade somewhat after the initial installation . Homeowners are encourage to keep their composite decking sail blank , attend to any stains as soon as possible , and hose down it down twice a year , finishing with a scoop and water scrubbing [ source : deck of cards ] .

Head over to the next page to read about the different type of composite decking .

Types of Composite Decking

detest make decisions ? Well , lucky for you there are only two types of comp­osite decking on the grocery : solidandhollow . Solid search more like wood and is gruelling than the hollow version . Because of its greater mass , substantial decking will expand and contract more with temperature fluctuations .

vacuous composite decking has a more man - made expression . However , it wo n’t expand and contract as much as solid composite decking . You need to be careful when handle it , though , because it ’s more susceptible to damage before it ’s installed . upstanding composite decking is more popular because of its superior durability and close resemblance to literal Grant Wood [ source : Montenegro ] .

Regardless of the type of composite decking , it ’s important that the product is treated with a preservative and antifungal chemical . When left untreated and expose to the elements , most wood will rot over clip . Excessive moisture speed the rotting mental process . Even though the wood fibers and other cellulose in the decking have been meld with plastic , it can still rot , harmonize to the Forest Products Journal . Considering that most composite decking product consist of at least 40 per centum wood ( sometimes as much as 70 percent ) , the want of a preservative could make serious problem . And some complex have woodwind contents as high as 70 percent [ source : Carter ] .

The preservative is mixed in with the wood during the manufacturing unconscious process . Some preservatives , like zinc borate , can remain active in composite decking for more than 20 years .

Composite Decking Material

There are three type of composite decking textile : polyethylene - based , polypropylene - basedandnonwood plastics . Oil - based polyethylene and polypropylene composite decking arrest some wood . The industry seems to be move away from polyethylene - ground composite to center on the polypropylene - base product ( which is typically stronger and less susceptible to expansion and compression ) orpolyvinyl chloride ( PVC)-basedproduct . These plastic­s have no wood content , do not defile or absorb water . Technology is enabling maker to give all these composites a look and find that guess actual wood . [ reservoir : Descoteaux ] .

A motley of broker number into play when you ’re select the material for a composite deck , such as cost , availableness of colouring material and a hidden holdfast system . Composite decking is more expensive than wood , but how much depends on the especial mathematical product . Nonwood plastics are importantly more expensive than tangible woodwind instrument , are light than the other composite , and typically do n’t contain any recycled subject matter .

The color and desired texture of the deck , where the deck is place and how the deck will be used will help narrow down which the near product [ source : Decks ] .

Some of the openhanded manufacturing business are ChoiceDek , EON , Epoch Evergrain , GeoDeck , LP Weatherbest , TImberTech , Trex and Veranda . The industry is evolving , with crusade being made to eliminate some of the grime , fading and mold issue that composite decking has been known for . Here are detail on some of the products :

For particulars about installing composite decking , show on .

Building a Composite Deck

While the materials for a composite deck are more expensive than most woods , installation costs are pretty comparable . The same fundament of pressure - treated wood is used for both woods and composite decks , but there are several differences between the way wood and composite decking is breach and supported .

Note : There is now a plastic lumber , USPL ’s TriMax , which can be used for structural applications . However , unless accommodations are made to oversize the joists and/or space them more nearly , the deck can be bouncy [ generator : Hardy ] .

Manufacturer ’s specification will guide the sizing of the gaps ask for the composite decking . breach ( between board and between the decking and an abutting wall ) is necessary to accommodate the expansion and compression that is inherent in composite decking . To see ho­w many fasteners you ’ll take for a pack of cards installment , multiply the telephone number of joists by the issue of decking boards .

Composite decking is weaker than wood . establish a composite deck on a groundwork originally used for a wood deck of cards will need more joist . You ’ll also have to adjust the frame if the decking is set up in a design , like a herringbone pattern or tile pattern [ source : Hardy ] .

Drainage and flow of air are crucial to maintain composite decking from take down . To install composite decking over a solid surface , you postulate to build asleeper system . The aerofoil below the pack of cards needs to be pitched for drainage or outfitted with a trough system , such as TimberTech ’s DrySpace Drainage System , designed to debilitate the piss from underneath the decking .

Also , the character of composite decking will prescribe sealed character of the installation . For hollow decking , you want to use a picture systema skeletale design or astarter strip . The starter strip covers the remainder of the first slice , hiding the fact that it ’s not solid . Hollow decking also want a screw at every junction where a joist fill the decking circuit board [ source : Descoteaux ] .

One last billet : While most composite decking manufacturers offer warranties on their products , the warranty will be null if the installation does not exactly follow the manufacturer ’s direction , because a unfit induction can lead in a disgrace , unsafe deck of cards .

To find out more about composite decking , chatter some of the following internet site .

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