Decking is one of the most beautiful ways to decorate your home. We are a company dealing with composite decking Melbourne. We have been dedicated to providing decking installation services for many years now. It is our experience and knowledge that have enabled us to gain a lot of insights into this matter.
Our company’s professionals provide beautiful solutions for deck maintenance throughout the year. Besides a lot of advantages, there are also some disadvantages that you can face with decking. It is also essential to get to know them. Following are some disadvantages you should consider before installing a composite deck.
Unsuitable for applying paints
In traditional decking, you can repaint the deck at regular intervals. However, you cannot carry out painting or any sort of design in composite decking. This is because of the unique composition of these decks. Composite decks have a mixture of fiber, binding agents, and plastics. When such a mixture is color-treated at manufacture, a finished product is derived, which does not need any extra painting. Hence, you can understand that if you install a composite deck, any changes won’t be feasible anymore.
Fading out by sunlight exposure
Composite decks are famous for their longevity and durability. However, this is not resistant to exposure to direct sunlight. With time, when the composite decks installed in the garden of your home receive the rays of the sun, they will start to fade away. The sun’s UV rays break the chemical bonds present in the decking material. This results in a color change. Sometimes, some decks come with a coating of UV resistance. But these lose their vibrancy with their exposure in the long term. We are very old composite decking suppliers who provide UV resistance on composite decks at the clients’ request.
Rotting of timber subframe
Composite decking has a potential impact on the subframe of the timber beneath the upper layer. Usually, composite decks are entirely resistant to rotting. However, if you are getting them installed over a timber subframe, moisture will be trapped between the deck and the subframe. This often causes rotting. Such a condition is problematic in areas with high humidity or insufficient drainage. Before installing, you should ensure the subframe is treated for moisture resistance. You should also check that sufficient ventilation can prevent the accumulation of moisture.
Higher upfront costs
The initial cost of composite decking is relatively higher than traditional decking costs. The manufacturing process of composite decks is quite complex. It involves the mixing of wood fibers with plastic components. This process is quite resource-intensive and complex, leading to a higher price point. Due to the requirement for less maintenance, a lot of costs can be saved on a long-term basis. However, the initial cost incurred is sometimes too much for the homeowners.
Retention of heat in extended sunlight
When a composite deck is exposed to sunlight for a long time, it becomes hot underfoot. The component of plastic which is present absorbs and retains heat. Hence, walking barefoot on hot summer days will be difficult. This will be a significant drawback for people who plan to relax on a bright, sunny day outside. Sometimes, this issue can be mitigated to some extent by using light colors. This is because light colors can absorb fewer sun rays than dark shades.
Potentially slippery surface
When exposed to a rainy climate, composite decks become immensely slippery. This, again, is due to the smooth plastic-based coating. It lacks natural friction, which is otherwise the case with traditional wooden decks. Sometimes, this issue is fixed by manufacturers using textured finishes. However, the effectiveness might vary.
Conclusion
It can be understood that, though a popular choice for many homeowners, composite decks do have some disadvantages. These points should be considered if you do not want to regret your decision to install one at home. All the issues can be fixed with alternative measures. We have expert professionals willing to provide you with assistance and guidance regarding this. Feel free to contact us anytime for any query about decking from one of the potential decking suppliers in Melbourne, which is us.
