Adding a deck on the outside of your Shingle Springs, CA, home is one of the best investments you can make for your home and family. Whether at ground level, on a balcony, or even on a raised decked platform, your deck can help provide more usable outside living space for you to enjoy. When choosing your decking material, composite decking is one of the most prominent materials on the market today that holds up well in the heat.
What is Composite Decking?
Composite decking is constructed of a mixture of plastic and wood. Wood can include particles from sawdust, wood fibers, and even wood chips. The plastic component of decking boards can be made of new or recycled polyethylene or other plastics. These materials are bonded through the manufacturing process to create decking planks that look like natural timber. Composite decking is an alternative to traditional wood decking planks.
What Are the Benefits of Composite Decking in Hot Weather?
When you start comparing materials for your new deck, your main options are going to be traditional wood or composite decking. The latter is becoming an extremely popular option for homeowners looking for a long-lasting product that performs well in hot climates. In fact, there are many advantages that you can enjoy when you invest in composite decking over traditional wood-timber decking.
UV-Resistance
One of the biggest problems that homeowners run into with traditional wood decking is that the UV rays from the sun create damage. Over time, your wood may become more susceptible to cracking and cause your boards to warp or cup. When it comes to composite decking, you never have to worry about UV radiation damaging your planks as they have a special UV-resistant coating.
Highly Durable
Another great advantage of composite decking over traditional wood decking is that it’s highly durable. With the hot summer weather comes some nasty storms. Fortunately, composite decking’s durability will go a long way in protecting it against unwanted storm damage, like hail, heavy wind gusts, and debris. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about the safety of your feet when it comes to composite decking, as it won’t splinter or crack.
Can Be Very Slip-Resistant
Composite decking is now available in many different types to help address common decking issues like slipping. If you opt for a grooved composite decking profile, it can drastically reduce your family’s risk of slipping. This makes it the perfect option for using near pools and other water features where you need to ensure your family’s safety during those hot summer months.
Cool-Touch Designs
It’s true that traditional wood and composite decking can get extremely hot to the touch in the summertime. You may even find that you must wear shoes to use your deck. Fortunately, with more modern-day composite decking, you can enjoy cool-touch technology that keeps your decking boards at a reasonable temperature, no matter how hot it gets outside. This way, you can even enjoy walking barefoot on your deck with no worries about getting burned.
Insect-Resistant
One of the biggest problems that you’re going to run into when it comes to wood for your decking is that it’s susceptible to pest damage. This is especially true during the hot season, when these pests are at their most active. While termites are the most common pest, when it comes to wood decking, there are others you should be aware of. These include carpenter bees, ants, and even small birds and woodpeckers. When you invest in composite decking instead of wood, you never have to worry about pest damage, as the composite material is naturally resistant to pests.
Fade-Resistant
One of the most frustrating parts of a traditional wood deck is that it will fade over time, especially on hot summer days. Usually, it only takes a couple of years for your deck paint or stain to start fading away and make your deck look worn and old. With composite decking, you can enjoy the benefit of having a fade-resistant material. Even when your deck is 15 years old, it will look brand new.
Won’t Warp
Warping is one of the most significant problems experienced by homeowners with wood decks. Summertime brings unexpected rainstorms followed by bouts of intense heat, which can allow unsealed wood planks to dry at different rates and warp. With composite decking, you never have to worry about warping or any damage from excessive heat.
Variety of Color Options
Due to the popularity of composite decking, it’s now available in many different colors and styles. Some composite decking planks are even designed to look like natural wood planks. This is good news for homeowners, as you can choose a color shade for your new deck that is lighter and less likely to absorb heat throughout the day.
No Exposed Installation Fixtures
When you install a traditional wood deck, you’re going to have multiple screws that hold the board to the joists. Over time, these screws can pop and stick up above the surface of the decking, creating a dangerous hazard. With composite decking, there are no screws put through the actual decking. Rather, they are installed with brackets that are adhered to the joists. All the fastener components are not exposed on the surface of the composite, making it perfectly safe to walk around barefoot on those hot days.
Very Low Maintenance
One of the biggest benefits homeowners can enjoy, when it comes to composite decking, is that it’s extremely low maintenance. Simply hosing it off and using a mild soap can get rid of any stuck-on debris or mud. When it comes to wood decking, it’s extremely difficult to maintain. If you don’t keep up with repainting or resealing, the hot weather can easily lead to warping, nail pops, and a variety of other problems.
Stability in Hot Temperatures
When the heat waves blast through, the excess heat can take a toll on traditional decks. Wood decks will go through expansion and contraction, leading to gaps and structural issues over time. With composite decking, you don’t have to worry about hot temperatures, as they stay stable with minimal expansion and contraction. This not only helps to keep your deck looking great but also ensures its structural integrity.
No Mildew or Mold Growth
When the weather shifts from summertime rain to heat, unwanted mold growth can develop on your wood decking boards. This adverse growth can be amplified in hot, humid climates near water sources. Not only does mold look unattractive, but it can also be very unsafe to encounter. With composite decking, you can be assured that it’s resistant to both mold and mildew growth.
Reliable Decking Service
Taylor Made Construction offers reliable decking service for the entire Shingle Springs region. We would be happy to help you come up with a design that works for your needs. We can also help with all your roofing, siding, window, door, kitchen remodeling, dry rot repair, and bathroom remodeling needs. Simply call our staff today to schedule your next service consultation.
