Comments on: 6 Advantages and 6 Disadvantages of Composite Decking http://www.renovateaustralia.com/2007/03/03/6-advantages-and-6-disadvantages-of-composite-decking/ A home improvement blog about renovating our Queenslander house in Townsville, Australia Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:30:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: DON KUSS http://www.renovateaustralia.com/2007/03/03/6-advantages-and-6-disadvantages-of-composite-decking/comment-page-1/#comment-46712 DON KUSS Thu, 20 May 2010 17:19:27 +0000 http://www.renovateaustralia.com/2007/03/03/6-advantages-and-6-disadvantages-of-composite-decking/#comment-46712 PLEASE ADVISE ON THE DECKING MATERIAL TO BE USED .WE WERE TO GOING TO REPLACE THE DECK. WE LIVE IN CALGARY ALTA.ASAP PLEASE ADVISE ON THE DECKING MATERIAL TO BE USED .WE WERE TO GOING TO REPLACE THE DECK. WE LIVE IN CALGARY ALTA.ASAP

]]> By: Update on Composite Decking VS. Wood Decks | Renovate Australia http://www.renovateaustralia.com/2007/03/03/6-advantages-and-6-disadvantages-of-composite-decking/comment-page-1/#comment-3662 Update on Composite Decking VS. Wood Decks | Renovate Australia Thu, 03 May 2007 22:32:12 +0000 http://www.renovateaustralia.com/2007/03/03/6-advantages-and-6-disadvantages-of-composite-decking/#comment-3662 [...] I last wrote about Composite Decking material at the beginning of March 2007 in my article 6 Advantages and 6 Disadvantages of Composite Decking. [...] [...] I last wrote about Composite Decking material at the beginning of March 2007 in my article 6 Advantages and 6 Disadvantages of Composite Decking. [...]

]]> By: psioni http://www.renovateaustralia.com/2007/03/03/6-advantages-and-6-disadvantages-of-composite-decking/comment-page-1/#comment-2511 psioni Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:33:31 +0000 http://www.renovateaustralia.com/2007/03/03/6-advantages-and-6-disadvantages-of-composite-decking/#comment-2511 I've also read that composite decking can have problems with mold: http://www.onlinetips.org/composite-decking-mold I think that as the new materials evolve, they'll get better marks from users. They seem like a great idea, especially the recycling of wood by-products. I’ve also read that composite decking can have problems with mold:

http://www.onlinetips.org/composite-decking-mold

I think that as the new materials evolve, they’ll get better marks from users. They seem like a great idea, especially the recycling of wood by-products.

]]> By: Bill Hutchison http://www.renovateaustralia.com/2007/03/03/6-advantages-and-6-disadvantages-of-composite-decking/comment-page-1/#comment-2320 Bill Hutchison Mon, 05 Mar 2007 03:50:57 +0000 http://www.renovateaustralia.com/2007/03/03/6-advantages-and-6-disadvantages-of-composite-decking/#comment-2320 I think that the decking material that we have already is either Balau or Kwila. I'm not sure which as I have been told both by different builders who have seen it... I think that the decking material that we have already is either Balau or Kwila. I’m not sure which as I have been told both by different builders who have seen it…

]]> By: Steve http://www.renovateaustralia.com/2007/03/03/6-advantages-and-6-disadvantages-of-composite-decking/comment-page-1/#comment-2300 Steve Sun, 04 Mar 2007 16:46:04 +0000 http://www.renovateaustralia.com/2007/03/03/6-advantages-and-6-disadvantages-of-composite-decking/#comment-2300 FWIW, I agree. I've yet to see a composite deck that looked good after five years. One thing to add to the "disadvantages" list is not just that it wears easily, it also scratches and gouges easily... as my neighbor learned the first day he had his composite deck and dragged out his barbecue for a christening party. He got two deep gouges that he tried to sand out and only made it look worse. I've got the most durable deck made, as well as the ugliest unless you like "industrial". It's diamond plate steel, like a fire escape landing. It needs a power brushing and a new coat of paint every five years. That's about it. Fortunately, it's not in direct sun because it would probably cook your feet. However, if I was going to replace it I'd use a hardwood called ipe (also called ironwood). I built a deck table out of it and it's aptly named. It's so hard that saw blades and drill bits dull quickly and even 100-grit sandpaper is rubbed flat in about two minutes. But, man, is this wood durable as well as beautiful. And a lot cheaper than other hardwood alternatives like mahogany. FWIW, I agree. I’ve yet to see a composite deck that looked good after five years. One thing to add to the “disadvantages” list is not just that it wears easily, it also scratches and gouges easily… as my neighbor learned the first day he had his composite deck and dragged out his barbecue for a christening party. He got two deep gouges that he tried to sand out and only made it look worse.

I’ve got the most durable deck made, as well as the ugliest unless you like “industrial”. It’s diamond plate steel, like a fire escape landing. It needs a power brushing and a new coat of paint every five years. That’s about it. Fortunately, it’s not in direct sun because it would probably cook your feet.

However, if I was going to replace it I’d use a hardwood called ipe (also called ironwood). I built a deck table out of it and it’s aptly named. It’s so hard that saw blades and drill bits dull quickly and even 100-grit sandpaper is rubbed flat in about two minutes. But, man, is this wood durable as well as beautiful. And a lot cheaper than other hardwood alternatives like mahogany.

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