Trex Decking Problem
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Avoid Improper Decking Gaps
Trex actually admits this on their own website when referring to their older generation products. Routine cleaning and maintenance are required for both wood and composite decks. Composite manufacturers now admit that there are no "maintenance free" decking materials of any kind. Every decking material needs at least a periodic washing. Mold, mildew, and dirt attack every deck - plastic, metal, wood or composite – with evenhanded tenacity, and have to be taken care of at regular intervals.
You can fasten boards to joists by driving screws through the face or into clips inserted along the edge. Edge-fastening looks good because the screws are hidden, but face-fastening is faster, stronger, and easier to fix. When face-fastening, use screws designed only for composites.
So unless some sort of anti-fungal material is added, wood flour can be a very attractive home for mold and mildew. Manufacturers caution in their care instructions that keeping the deck free of pollen and debris that may be food sources for mold is important to assuring a mold-free deck. What they forget to tell you is that the wood flour itself is a food source for mold.
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(For a complete report on and ranking of the environmental impact of various plastic and composite materials by the non-profit Healthy Building Network read the Guide to Plastic Lumber). The most enviro-unfriendly material used in composite decking is plastic, particularly "virgin" or new plastic made primarily from petroleum or natural gas. Some manufacturers use vinyl which is decidedly un-green. On the surface, composite materials look mighty un-"green" with lots of unpronounceable chemicals, some of which can be highly toxic. So, are you trading convenience for some sort of health or ecological disaster when you select composite decking materials? But, neither are composites especially environmentally friendly.
Any more information from anyone who has had success getting their deck replaced is welcomed. to keep it looking good throughout the years, much like washing your car. For early generation composite decking , periodic cleaning with a deck wash is required. Trex high-performance decking require less work - a simple soap and water cleaning is all that is necessary to maintain the beauty of the products. is a revolutionary steel deck framing system that provides a stronger, straighter, safer and smarter foundation for Trex high-performance decking and railing products.
It is a different matter altogether as to how the different decking materials will look and perform over time as a result of mold . But composite decking is not completely recyclable like plastic decking because it is a mixture of wood and plastic. For its low maintenance and good looks, it's worth a look, but shop around. "Not all composites are equal," says Gordon Whittaker, owner of Alter Eagle. This type of decking is a little more expensive up front than wood materials. Where you save money is that you won’t have to treat a composite deck or porch, it won’t crack or splinter , and this material has exact, uniform coloring.
Do composite decks get hot?
How Hot Can Composite Decking Get in the Sun? One study found that in direct sunlight, composite decks can reach temperatures from 34° to 76° F hotter than the surrounding air. On an 80° day, that could mean a deck surface temperature of more than 150°.
Wood And Composite Decking Review: Pros And Cons
It seems that under some conditions the coating seal placed on Trex composite decking can fail, exposing it to the elements. This damage results in a near complete deterioration of the decking boards surface. Replacing severely damaged boards seems to be the only remedy.
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Like any major home purchase, decking materials vary in looks, durability, and cost. Start your research by becoming familiar with types of authentic and synthetic decking.
If you're hiring a pro, note that the cost of labor—either to build a new deck or to replace worn planking on an existing structure—can easily exceed the cost of the materials. Composite decking is a man-made synthetic mixture of ‘wood flour’ and plastics which are highly susceptible to mold.
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TimberTech PRO Decking boasts 4-sided capped composite boards that have no wood particles, AKA organic material, in the cap. Plus, the cap flows through the grooves and onto the backside to cover all four sides of the board.
The finely ground ‘wood flour’ become a veritable Petri dish for mold. Mold gets into the crevices of composite decking and clings to the fine wood particles and has a very difficult time getting out. PVC and composite materials have made great strides into the decking industry during the past decade. The materials were once considered fake looking, but the companies that manufacturer these products have been able to replicate the look of wood without all the required maintenance. Certain companies that make composite brands have been working round the clock to improve their product. These products are now more resistant to stains, they don’t fade like wood, but they do need a little maintenance.
These are the only products most contractors can get so of course they’re going to say they’re good. Whether you choose Transcend, Select, or Enhance, you’re making an investment in a hassle-free, low-maintenance composite deck that will last for years to come. Choose high-quality composite decking materials to build the deck of your dreams where you can spend warm afternoons and cool evenings relaxing with friends and loved ones. Here is a side-by-side comparison to illustrate the unique features, materials, price, and color options for each Trex composite decking option.
Is composite decking hot to walk on?
Hot surface: Probably the top complaint about composite decking is that it tends to get very hot in direct sunlight. Some surfaces that are exposed to direct sunlight all day may be to warm to walk on with bare feet. This will depend partly on the color of the material.
Responses To Composite Decking Mushrooms
While our early-generation decking was groundbreaking for its time, spills and scuffs can still leave a mark. Newer-generation decking is easy to spot because of its resilience. Today's Trex decks resist blemishes with an innovative, high-performance shell that wraps around three sides of our deck boards. Composite is resistant to rot, mold, and termites, which can take their toll on wood decking materials. PVC decking is typically made from virgin plastics, which can be recycled after use.
- While composite decking is known for being a step up from wood decking, not all boards are created equal.
- There are different composite products on the market and the availability of these products may vary depending on your location.
- Although several features determine an ideal deck design, the overall style of a deck is dictated by the actual deck materials.
- Most composite decks are manufactured from the by-products of wood such as wood chips, sawdust, and recycled plastic materials.
- Composite decks have become popular over the past years as the price range of decking boards continue to rise over time.
You’ve decided it's time to replace your outdoor deck and you’re ready to take it on as a DIY project, or you’ve decided to work with a licensed and bondedcontractor for the heavy lifting. Staining is a major problem with older model Trex decking and a huge issue with older composite decking products in general. Because with a Trex deck you can’t sand or refinish the deck. If a stain occurs and can’t be cleaned the only remedy is replacing the entire board. This can be an issue with an older deck once fading has occurred since the new deck boards won’t match the old.