Protect Joists From Rot. Isn’t it time to scrap that warped, splintery, faded wood? Evolution towards customized deck board surface finishes. Brent Gwatney is senior vice president for sales at MoistureShield composite decking. Framing for Trex & Composite Decking. Composite Decking â Manufacturers Fixing Instructions . Now, after years of innovation, two more recent breakthroughs in composites are: Homeowners in many parts of the U.S have concerns with the surface of their composite deck absorbing too much heat and becoming excessively hot to walk on. The Right Project Needs the Right Tools. The drawbacks to aluminum decking are: looks like metal, feels and sounds like tin, does not do a good job of imitating a traditional deck ⦠You must check this checkbox to send this message. By choosing your country, you acknowledge that you have read Trex's Privacy's Policy. This means that any load bearing area will need to be framed and supported before the composite ⦠With the makeover complete, the Trex decking and railing looks great and is ready for years of low-maintenance enjoyment. 5 Essential Composite Decking FAQs. These boards absorb up to 35% less heat than conventional capped composites in similar colors. This is #Azek Deck series on how to properly install deck boards and fascia boards. Although this issue is typically associated with warmer climates, a sunny day in any region, from the Southwest to the Northeast can result in an uncomfortably hot deck. After all, your time outdoors shouldn’t be spent sanding, scraping and staining – it should be spent sitting on your deck enjoying the view. With additional innovations recently introduced, decking pros have even more opportunities to grow their business. Used with permission; all rights reserved. Donât Choose an Exact Match. Lighten Up. According to Ideas for Deck Designs, composite decks may cost between two ⦠Check joists spacing and overall condition of framing to determine if the substructure is sound. These new advancements have paved the way for a new and exciting possibility on the horizon. Prior to laying: Preferably to be used on a hard sub-grade. Got a Garden Hose? This can mean having to hot-foot it across the deck in bare feet or keep pets off the deck. Trex manufactures a composite decking to create a low-maintenance, high-performance backyard retreat that can offer you serene outdoors without depleting them over a long period of time. It can be used to create a deck, walkway, pool surround, dock, marina or patio, and youâll get the same durability and quality youâve come to expect from MoistureShield with the added benefit of cool ⦠Wood-plastic composites are increasingly becoming a popular option for homeowners and builders who are looking for an alternative to traditional wood decking. Some of the manufactured products include high-performance composite decking, PVC (vinyl) decking, and wood/plastic early generation decking. It's an ideal way to save time and money, while enjoying all of Trex's benefits over wood. To address this problem, MoistureShield has pioneered CoolDeck® technology. Keep reading for answers to more composite deck questions answered by your expert deck builder. While composite decking typically lasts longer than traditional wood decking, it is much more expensive than its counterpart. Install Shade Structures. He has specialized in the building industry for more than 30 years, working with manufacturers, dealers, design professionals, contractors, and building officials. Secure your choice of Trex railing decorative elements, such as post caps and top rail caps. Discover how our Solid Core has helped prevent structural field failures for ⦠If you are installing fascia or risers, always use composite decking screws -- regardless of the particular decking ⦠Not All Synthetic Decking Is "Composite" Composite decking is made from wood byproducts (or in ⦠Install Capped Composite Decking. Use It.. Whenâs the last time you played in the sprinkler? Composite decking screws. Available as an option in several decking lines, boards with CoolDeck technology optimize heat reflection. One year after replacing his wood deck with Trex Enhance, see and hear what this homeowner has to say about these low maintenance, high performance Trex products. Removing Stains Use dish soap and hot water on oil based stains. Installation doesn’t require any special tools, just a little inspiration. Replace it with Trex high-performance composite decking and enjoy long-lasting, low-maintenance beauty for decades to come. A tell-tale sign of a potential problem with the ledger board attachment is the ⦠Market research shows surface temperature is the number one buyer concern not addressed by composite decking products. After obtaining any necessary building permits, carefully remove and discard the old decking and railing, leaving the substructure and framing in place. Aluminum decking would be a good choice if temperature is your number one concern. Composites are forecast to âexperience above-average annual gains in demand through 2020,â according to market researchers at the Freedonia Group. Here are the steps you need to take to reface your deck. Mild dish soap, like Dawn, is a ⦠1. The result is a noticeably lower surface temperature in direct sun. Manufacturers are frequently making improvements in the aesthetics and design of their composite boards, especially with vibrant colors and striking visual patterns that emulate exotic woods. If you decide to go the composite decking route, you will have to do your homework to figure out which ones resist heat and which ones will burn your feet. Attach new pressure treated structural rail posts to framing as required by code and the Trex Installation Guide. The technology behind next-generation products like MoistureShield® Vision® decking will eventually enable homeowners, builders and designers to customize the surface appearance of deck boards. While any dark colored decking absorbs sunlight and can heat-up, as composites are denser than traditional wood decking, some products can become uncomfortably hot in direct sun. Assemble Trex railing and balusters per the Trex Installation Guide. The cost of using composite decking for your home is 50% more than what you would pay ⦠An Update on Fire Safety in CLT Buildings, A Hidden Gem: Lumber Careers Become More Attractive to Youth, Women, Let Your Gray Show: Whatâs Trending in Roofing Colors. Composite decking has advanced dramatically in the past 30 years. In case of use directly on garden soil always place paving stones underneath the rails to ⦠If youâre thinking about replacing your backyard deck or patio, you have the advantage of choosing composite ... 2. Inspect all framing/framing hardware for code compliance, structural integrity and compliance with the current Trex Installation Guide. Some composite decking can do a fabulous job at keeping your feet cool whereas others will scorch them like bricks can. If you opt for composite deck screws, be sure to use stainless steel screws that will not rust or corrode. For example, aluminum decking stays pretty cool. Composite decking has essentially replaced both wood and vinyl as the premier material for most new deck ⦠Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 4. From aesthetic innovations to improved performance, these changes are driving the rapid market growth in composites. Most composite decking is available in 5/4x6 dimensional boards in 12', 16' and 20' lengths, and are designed to be ⦠Polyvinyl looks like a bunch of microscopic ping pong balls so the air in there will help cool the boards while at the same time the polyvinyl prevents heat from being absorbed into the core. If you want composite decking that will stay cooler, start with lighter colors because they will absorb less heat. Composite decking cannot be used as structural material. Resurface your deck in days. Composite decking is a great alternative to traditional wood decking, but does have some limitations. We all know the old-school rule of making sure that your belt matches your shoes, but you shouldnât apply that rule to your deck. How to Keep Your Deck Cool During the Summer. For such homeowners, going beyond the look of wood to custom colors and finishes will be a key selling point. The Look. Photos © 2020 Scripps Networks, LLC. For a neat finish, we recommend trimming boards on both ends at a minimum of 5mm. Plant Natural Shade. 3. California Transparency in Supply Chains Act. No Lag Head Screws. One study found that in direct sunlight, composite decks can reach temperatures from 34° to 76° F hotter than the surrounding air. This is largely due to manufacturing advances related to beauty and performance. In addition, composite decking materials can be milled and cut just like wood decking. Market research shows surface temperature is the number one buyer concern not addressed by composite decking ⦠Recently, we outlined the kinds of general tools you will ⦠Itâs no wonder that people are drawn to compositesâ durability and aesthetics, as manufacturers have continually striven to make improvements in those two areas since composite decking was introduced in the late â80s. 1. Theyâre always supplied with extra⦠The cost of composite decking is a significant factor to consider. No decking material is maintenance-free, and that includes composite materials made from a combination of wood fibers and plastic. 1. Select a minimum size of #8 x 2.5 in. If you are hesitant about a composite deck because you really want it to look like wood, ⦠Install Trex decking, following instructions for spacing from the Trex Installation Guide. On an 80° day, that could mean a deck surface temperature of more than 150°â¦ To ensure a level surface for the Trex boards, make sure that the joists are level and even with each other. You may need to shim or shave the joists to make them level and even. Since people have fewer sunny days to enjoy their deck, they don’t want to lose any outdoor living time due to an overly hot deck. Final thoughts To truly find out what is too hot to handle when it comes to ⦠This will likely be a popular option for urban homeowners, who often look for their decks to be an extension of their indoor living spaces. Putting Down Composite Decking. A few final words about decking fasteners. Replace it with Trex high-performance composite decking and enjoy long-lasting, low ⦠Pressure-treated lumber is rot-resistant, not rot-proof. Taking Care of Composite Decking. They go on to say that âcomposite decking is popular with consumers seeking decks that have longevity while maintaining a wood-like appearance.â. MoistureShield® offers the only wood composite decking that can be installed in the ground, on the ground or underwater. Enjoy it for decades. So the surface temperature of the board may be higher but it will cool down a lot quicker and take a while to heat back ⦠This project is sponsored by ZomeTek Composite Decking - Strong by Nature. It is common knowledge to choose a light color if at all possible. CoolDeck composite decking is designed to be used anywhere you would use wood or other composite deck boards. Cooler composite deck surface technology Homeowners in many parts of the U.S have concerns with the surface of their composite deck absorbing too much heat and becoming excessively hot to walk on. List of the Cons of Composite Decking. HGTV, HGTV Smart Home, HGTV Smart Home Giveaway and their associated logos are trademarks of Scripps Networks, LLC. Isnât it time to scrap that warped, splintery, faded wood? Over time, wood decks inevitably show signs of aging such as warping, cracking and nail pops. Although it resembles wood and even contains wood chips and fibers, composite decking is made mostly of plastic -- often recycled from other consumer products. If the boards on your existing deck are looking a bit worn - and the foundation and deck framing system are sound - you can simply replace the walking surfaces and deck railings with Trex decking and railing. Gwatney can be reached at brentgwatney@aert.com. 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