|
Well, from my brief experience installing composite decking -- it's easy to work with, is colored throughout the material, and it's designed specifically to withstand the elements, moisture, sun, etc.... And it won't shrink, swell, or crack. of course, it does costs more..... Anyway, i've only built one deck with the stuff, and if it performs as it is supposed to, the homeowner (a friend) seems to think it was worth the extra money. as for myself....well, I'm not sure how much he paid, so that's hard to say.... but his deck looks great.
That being said, I do have one worry that may be an issue at some future time..... and this was pointed out to me by a pro (I'm an amateur). he was concerned that the difference in material density between the wood and the composite may be a factor. His rationale: While the deck boards are supposed to resist swelling and moving in response to moisture--that same decking is supported by PT lumber--and the wood is still going to move. So his concern was in the different rates of movement between the wood and decking, and was worried that it may stress the fastener locations where the dissimilar materials meet. This seems to me like a logical concern..... Can anybody give me an answer as to whether this might be a problem in the future?
|