Composite Decks
Next Generation Composite Decking Offers More Design Options
by Sue Snuggs, product manager, Weyerhaeuser
(Editor’s Note: Sue Snuggs is a product manager for Weyerhaeuser Company, an integrated forest products company. She can be reached at sue.snuggs@weyerhaeuser.com.)
The rising demand for customization in home design is a major factor driving improvements in many of today’s building material offerings. The desire for materials that distinguish homes for applications ranging from kitchen countertops to flooring has resulted in greater variation in available products. It has also been a catalyst for technological advances that result in more durable options. 
Homebuyers’ increasing interest in customized spaces has also influenced the types of products available for decking. One such example is wood-plastic composite decking. In recent years, improvements in wood-plastic composite decking materials have accelerated, with the material now being used in more applications for which its strength and moisture-resistant properties are well suited.
Wood-plastic composite decking is expected to continue gaining more share of the decking materials market. A recent study by The Freedonia Group, Inc., projected that alternative materials will lead the decking market in terms of yearly gains through 2011. Wood-plastic composite decking is projected to provide one of the strongest growth opportunities.
Modern technology that combines wood and plastic into long-lasting decking materials has resulted in expanded choices for design and more durable options to meet the fast-growing demand for decks suitable for outdoor living. According to a 2007 report from the NPD Group, Inc., eight out of ten consumers prefer outdoor entertaining over indoor, weather permitting. Architects and designers looking to provide contemporary, customized decking areas for homebuyers are finding solutions in today’s composite decking offerings.
Aesthetics and Accessories
Two notable advances in composite decking materials are improvement in their wood-like appearance, along with the addition of complementary accessories for more style and design options. Advances in aesthetics have made composite decking a more attractive option by better capturing the classic appearance of wood. And, the introduction of railing components has expanded the applications for composite decking materials.
Manufacturers have responded to the rising popularity of alternative decking materials by adding color options and incorporating convenient accessories into composite decking product lines, greatly adding to their versatility. Color options range from wood-tone and gray hues to warm, rich colors that mimic the look of tropical hardwoods. Architects and designers can complement existing homes, as well as mix and match multiple colors to create unique multi-color patterns and designs.
Decorative railing accessories, including posts, post caps, balusters, and trim boards, are also available with some composite decking product lines. Plus, some manufacturers are also incorporating convenient details into railing accessories, such as hollow posts to allow for easy installation of outdoor lighting, security systems, or audio systems. This flexibility provides a valuable benefit as homebuyers are including more elaborate outdoor kitchens and high-tech equipment on their decks. Railing can also be curved during the installation process, adding visual interest.
Applications and Performance
Beyond decks, composite decking materials are now used in such diverse applications as dock surfaces, hot tub and pool surrounds, walkways, landscape edging, and playground equipment. Architects and designers are also including multi-level deck designs with separate areas for such activities as cooking, dining, and sunbathing, as well as steps and built-in 
benches. For commercial applications, composite decking is frequently used for seaside boardwalks and marina decking.
Decking areas built with composite materials resist splintering and are slip-resistant. Their durability also makes composites hold up well to heavy foot traffic. In addition, such materials do not require staining and sealing, but should be periodically cleaned according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to maintain their appearance. Composite decking is also expected to last two to three times longer than traditional decking materials.
Composite decking is easy to work with and install, using standard hand and power tools. Composite decking boards will span 16” on center, or 12” on center for diagonal applications, when installed correctly. The use of stainless steel trim head screws for installation adds stability and minimizes the chance of metal-corrosion stains.
Composite decking is engineered for use in a wide range of climates. It offers advantages over other materials given its ability to withstand tough environments, because the wood fibers in composite decking are encapsulated in plastic. This makes the wood fibers moisture resistant, even in applications exposed to incidental salt-water contact and spray from coastal waters. The surrounding plastic bonds to the wood fibers, and in turn the wood fibers reinforce the plastic, adding stiffness and reducing its thermal movement for consistent performance.
Green Options
In the quest for sturdy decking products that meet the growing demand for materials that are easier on the environment, some manufacturers have taken advantage of modern recycling technologies that allows post-industrial, as well as post-consumer, waste to be converted into today’s strong composite decking materials. Some products are made using recovered wood fiber and recycled polyethylene plastics from items such as milk jugs and grocery sacks, keeping potential waste out of landfills. Because of these qualities, many architects and designers are turning to composite decking as a solution for incorporating an environmentally responsible material into their homes.
Composite decking provides a modern, engineered solution for decks and other outdoor projects. Homebuyers benefit from contemporary manufacturing processes that result in a durable product that also makes efficient use of recycled materials. Architects and designers benefit from using a long-lasting decking material that offers plenty of choices for creative design and customization, as well as ease of installation.
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