Decking

10-Point Checklist for Composite Decking: No. 9 Will Shock You!

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Nowadays, several people are considering composite decking over traditional wood decking. The best composite decking in Melbourne will ensure that you can turn your dream porch design into reality. It will also save you from the trouble of frequent replacement.

Among the many advantages of composite decking, being low maintenance is one of the greatest advantages. Moreover, composite decking is also highly durable in various weather conditions. Since it is made from recycled wood, it is an eco-friendly option.

Table of Contents

Tips to Find the Best Composite Decking

  1. Budget
  2. Temperature
  3. Appearance
  4. Code
  5. Fasteners
  6. Purpose
  7. Planters
  8. Design
  9. Wetness
  10. Extras

Tips to Find the Best Composite Decking

While composite decking is an excellent option for your house, choosing it can be tricky. But with an extensive checklist in front of you, finding the best composite decking will become a little easy. Some top points to consider while choosing your composite decking are as follows:

Budget

The first thing to consider while choosing composite decking is your budget. You can find high-quality composite decking within an affordable range. A composite decking system with face screws will be more cost-efficient for someone a little low on cash. With a low budget, you might not be able to find too many colour options for your deck. But repetitive grain patterns and smooth finishes on a low budget isn’t a bad idea.

Temperature

You should know that composite decking becomes extremely hot under the sun. You might not be able to put your barefoot on a composite deck if you live in a warm climate. Therefore, you should consider avoiding dark colours for your deck.

Appearance

Are you not in favour of composite decking because you want your deck to look like wood? You should know that high-end composite decking resembles wood in feel and appearance. You will also find some variations in wood shadings.

Code

Before you invest money thinking it’s the best composite decking, you must ensure that the material meets building codes. According to the regulations in your city, you might face some restrictions in terms of materials on the stairs, frames or other structures. You might also find specific requirements regarding gaps between fasteners. Get the composite decking inspected by your building management to ensure that you don’t have to make changes after installation.

Fasteners

Some people prefer composite decking with hidden fasteners, while others don’t care if they show or not. During installation, you will have to decide if you want the fasteners to show or not. Using hidden fasteners can increase the cost of composite decking by up to 30%.

Purpose

Another thing to consider while building your composite decking is the purpose of making it. Do you want to spend some beautiful moments on the deck with your spouse? Or do you want to become a great host and impress your guests with the deck? If you plan on making your children play on the deck, you need to think about extra security. Before installing the deck, examine your purpose and consider things such as square footage.

Planters

If you want to enhance the appeal of your composite decking, you should keep planters on the deck. Especially during the summer and spring, planters can create a stunning appearance. Using black planters and green shrubs can add a sense of tranquillity to your deck. Place planters in each corner of your deck and give it an elegant look. Your guests will not stop appreciating your deck with a natural look.

Design

When choosing the design of your composite decking, you should keep the aesthetics of your entire house in mind. The colour of your deck should contrast with the colour palette of your entire home. You need to ensure that the deck of your house does not seem out of place. The deck should be able to blend with your home beautifully and seamlessly.

Wetness

Surprisingly, even the best composite wood decking gets wet. A tricky aspect of composite decking is that when they become wet, they also get slippery. If you have opted for a smooth texture, you should be extremely careful on rainy days.

Extras

Composite decking uses all the essential tools like a wood deck. But the decking planks are only a portion of what you need to pay for. Remember that you might need reinforcement pieces or end caps as well. While planning the design of your deck, think about all the extras you will need, such as posts and railings. By researching your installation requirements, you will be able to decide on a reasonable budget.

Wrapping up

If you consider these tips, you will be able to install the composite decking of your choice. You will not be able to prevent yourself from spending all your free hours on the porch.

Tyler Robinson
Tyler Robinson is a trained professional in landscape design. He earned his MS in Environmental Design from University of Washington. Since 2021, Tyler has enriched our content with his knowledge of innovative decking solutions and outdoor aesthetics. His career spans over 20 years, including a fine tenure at a renowned architectural firm. Tyler has published in several home improvement magazines and enjoys woodworking and kayaking during his downtime.

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