Composite Screening vs. Wood: Which is Better?

Most people who choose composite screening over wood do so for many reasons. First, composite requires very little to no maintenance. Secondly, it’s very eco-friendly compared to wood. Lastly, it’s definitely more durable than wood. However, can you actually prove these claims?

Here are a few points on each material to help you make your decision wisely.

Once composite screening was introduced in the market, manufacturers said everything they could about the material to clear their shelves. Since it was introduced back in 2004, people have had time to do more research and confirm everything the manufacturers had claimed. You should keep in mind that there have been a few lawsuits related to problems such as fading, slippery composite surfaces, deterioration, mould, shrinkage and many more.

Maintenance Needed for Wood and for Composite Screening

Before choosing this material over wood, you should know that most types of composite materials are still in the experimental phase. Wood, on the other hand, has been used for many years and everyone is well-acquainted with the characteristics. Composites are still relatively new and not perfectly understood, but most people are ready to try composite products because of the maintenance-free feature that saves lots of time. This means you don’t need to scrape, sand, stain or re-finish it. Once installed, the composite screening is good to go.

However, as a consumer you should be aware that no material is completely maintenance-free. Regardless of whether you are using composite screening or wooden decks, you need to clean it regularly and also do a little maintenance to keep your deck looking good as new. If you don’t, you are likely to experience mould and mildew infestation. However, you need to catch the signs early before your deck is completely ruined

Rather than selling a completely maintenance-free material, composite manufactures recommend periodic cleaning and maintenance to all their clients. Also, there are some who might recommend a few specific products for the maintenance and cleaning process to keep the durability and the tenacity of the material going for longer.

The million dollar question is if composite screening decks actually require less maintenance than their wooden counterparts. Most deck owners don’t like the idea of having to repeatedly clean, seal or stain their decks. That’s why the cost of composite screening is definitely worth it if these menial tasks can be reduced or eliminated. You should know that wooden decks are made of raw lumber.

If you have a wooden deck, you need to regularly treat it to avoid rotting and insect infestation. When you get it from the lumberyard, the wood is not sealed or stained accordingly. The sealant is applied once the deck is installed. On the other hand, composite screening is already sealed once it arrives from the factory. Therefore, there is no need to reseal it once you have completely built the deck. Wooden decks need to be resealed every once in a while to maintain the structural integrity.

However, if the composite screening is sealed already, will the material last forever? It might take some time but you need to reseal the deck eventually. With time, the composite decks might start turning grey because of the temporary UV inhibitors. Also, composite materials may show signs of deterioration so at some point, you may need to have it restored.

In conclusion, composite screening requires very little maintenance compared to wooden decks. That’s the reason why they have become quite popular for most homeowners. It is important to read the manufacturer’s manual regarding maintenance in order to keep the integrity of your deck for a long time.