Not All Composite Deck Boards Are Created Equal

Composite deck boards are the latest in permanentof natural wood. Made mostly of plastic resin, like a
outdoor deck construction for the home. At one timefiberglass, they have not stood up to the test of
considered maintenance-free, these newfangledtime. The argument for composite decking has
building materials have been consideredalways been that wood is high maintenance and
environmentally friendly. However, some types ofsubject to eventual decay. However, low quality
composite decking are anything but permanent, orcomposite deck boards have shown to be much less
maintenance free.durable than wood. These plastic pieces of imitation
For years, the most popular wood used inlumber have been subject to fading, chipping and
constructing outdoor decks has been redwood.breaking. Unlike wood, composite material cannot be
However, most redwoods in the Western Unitedsanded or painted. Chemical cleaners are often used
States are literally hundreds of years old. Thethat contribute to the fading and they may actually
constant harvesting of these ancient trees has led tocontribute to weakening the boards themselves.
an environmental awakening. The redwood forests ofThere are several forms of composite decking. The
America are being depleted at an alarming rate.best has been found to be virgin vinyl. This type of
Despite desperate attempts at replanting, it will takecomposite decking does not contain wood pulp, as
centuries to replace what has already been lost tomany vinyl decking products do. Virgin vinyl has been
the lumber industry. What has attempted to fill thisfound to retain its resiliency and strength. This form
void has been composite decking materials. However,of composite lumber mimics the look of wood better
not all composite decks are created equal.than any other product on the market today.
Composite deck boards are made to mimic the look