Compare And Contrast Between Timber and Composite Decking

Posted by New Wave Flooring on November 21st, 2018

When it comes to decking supplies Perth, people are really spoilt for choice. You have a wide range of timber species to choose from and there are also a lot of composite products to choose from. There is, however, a downside to this. It complicates the buying process.

 Composite did not exist until the early 90s. This means that there was a limited supply of traditional timber species that consumers could choose from. There was no question of the better product between timber and composite. Now, customers have different options to choose from.

 You might be asking yourself whether to choose timber or composite in the near future when building a deck. Both materials have unique properties that would benefit your needs. We cannot give you a definitive answer and tell you the better product, but we will just equip you with information to help you choose the right product for your needs.

 Timber decking

Timber was the only material for decking until the early 90s. It has a good aesthetic appeal. A well-maintained timber deck is very beautiful and everyone can appreciate it.

 Composite decking

This is a manufactured product but it is designed to mimic the colours and grains of natural timber. It has many benefits such as resistance to insect infestation, rot, and many more. Make sure you choose a reliable decking supplier in Perth because composite decking comes in different qualities.

 Installation

The installation differs between brands because the materials contract and expand differently. Generally, the installation process is more or less the same irrespective of whether it is composite decking or traditional decking. Composite might need some joints and fixings because it is not as flexible as wood but it is usually manufactured with a groove system and tongue that allows the boards to click into place easily. This reduces the time it takes to install.

 Maintenance

When choosing any product, you must consider the maintenance cost. No one wants anything that is very expensive to maintain. One of the biggest advantages of composite decking is that it requires very little maintenance, unlike timber. Timber requires resealing, cleaning, resurfacing and other maintenance processes throughout the life of the product. However, composite also has its downside. It is prone to mould growth. The problem of mould growth is not common with timber.

 Environmentally friendly

Nowadays, everyone wants to be cautious about the environment. No one wants to use products that pollute the environment. There is a lot of conflicting information on whether timber or composite decking is better for the environment. However, both the materials have good arguments behind them.

Timber is renewable. Trees can grow back after being cut down. The manufacturing process of timber is thought to be more energy efficient compared to the process of manufacturing composite.

Composite decking supplies Perth are made from a combination of timber and plastics. The timber is mostly waste product such as sawdust. Manufacturers of composite say that their product is more environmentally friendly because there is a decrease in demand for virgin timber and that composite is made up of 95% plastics and recycled wood.