How Long Does Composite Decking Last?

Composite decking can last well over 30 years. If you opt for timber decking of the finest sort, you will see that they estimate it for over 40 years above ground. However, this means that you need to maintain it regularly every year in case you want to save it from decay.

Composite decking is not that demanding. You don’t have to clean it, seal it and stain it every now and then. You don’t have to do it at all if you don’t want to. All you need to do is to make sure that all the stains are cleaned right away and that there is no water retaining on the surface of your decking.

You will get the best advice about the lifespan of your composite decking from the decking installers. They will see the conditions in which you want to install your deck, and they will tell you what to expect given the drainage, weather and other factors that influence the durability of your decking.

Get quotes for composite decking installation and compare it with the hardwood decking prices to see what works better for you.

Is Composite Decking Stronger than Wood?

Composite decking is stronger than low-quality pressure-treated wood. It is somewhere in the class of high-quality hardwood decking timber.

Pressure-treated wood is made by soaking the pine or fir in preservatives and then applying coating and sealers to make it water, insect and mould-resistant. That works well, but there is also a downside. All that treatment locks down a lot of moisture in the planks. When it starts drying off, the decking timber begins to twist, crack and generally deteriorate.

While the mould and termites will most probably leave it alone, the danger of having bad decking comes from within. Therefore, keep this in mind when going for the treated pine decking. Ask your supplier about the guarantees and possible issues with it.

Hardwood timber decking can have a long life. A lot of Class 1 and Class 2 timber can last for decades. They are treated against the borers, termites and fungi, but there is no treatment that lasts forever. You will have to reseal and recoat your hardwood timber decking every year or so and prolong it in that way.

Composite decking doesn’t require any sort of finishing and regular refinishing. The only downside is that they sometimes get infested with mould. That can be prevented with regular cleaning that happens once a year and isn’t that demanding.

How Much More Expensive Is Composite Decking Than Wood?

Expect to pay an average of $150 for a square metre of composite decking. This price can be as low as $100, but it can also climb up to over $350. That is only the price of the material. You need to take into consideration the price of labour, supporting construction, prep work and much more.

Timber decking can be much cheaper. There are different prices for different types of wood, but let’s take just some of the timber decking prices for the sake of comparison.

One of the hardest and most resilient decking timbers is grey ironbark. The price for a square metre starts at $123. One of the cheapest options is Merbau which can be found at $60 per square metre. Those are, again, only the prices that cover the cost of material alone. There are a lot of additional costs to be added there.

Image source: NexGen Decking

The composite decking is more expensive per square metre, but the installation can be a bit pricier, as well. Since it is dense and heavy, it is much harder to install it than light wood.

What we have here is the initial cost of composite and timber decking. That is, however, just the beginning. You need to reapply the sealing and the coating for your timber decking every year. That requires certain annual investment.

On the other hand, you just need to clean your composite decking twice a year and make sure that it is clear of mould. This is very easy to do, and you can do it yourself in less than an hour. So, while initially, hardwood timber decking may seem cheaper, in the long run, the maintenance costs add up.

Should You Seal Composite Decking?

You don’t have to seal your composite decking. You can, but it is not necessary. The biggest flaw of the composite decking material that was produced in mid-2000s is the mildew. That is the only issue with composite decking and the only reason why you would want to seal it.

Without sealing, you are absolutely fine with washing it twice a year. Without sealing, you can do it once every year or even twice. Given that washing your composite decking means going over it with hot water and soap and then hosing it down, it is questionable whether you want to bother with sealing.

However, if you do, you should always read the instructions. Use the product recommended to you by the experts, your installer or people in the hardware store. The instructions will tell you whether you need one or more coats and how long to wait between them.

Make sure you have chosen the water-based solvent because those are the least damaging for your composite decking.

You can get a lot of maintenance tips from people who install your composite decking. They will see the weak spots in your construction, and they will warn you about the lack of ventilation that causes the moulding or any other environmental issue that you should be aware of.

That is just one of the reasons why you should hire a professional to install your composite decking. We mentioned that the composite decking installation can be more expensive than the timber decking installation. That doesn’t mean that the price has to be astronomical.

Moreover, if you get several quotes from different installers, you will be able to understand the range of prices that you should count on.

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