composite vs. pressure treated decking

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Rich

I have older composite on my deck at home. It's about 20 or so years old now.

These issues maybe brand specific or they may have improved it lately, but after 20 years it's not totally maintenance free if you want it to look like the day they installed it.

1. It collects mold over time that seems to grow inside the boards, so you have to wash it with a bleach based deck cleaner every 2 to 3 years to bring back the original color. If you don't do this it may look a bit dirty or tarnished.

2. It gets hot under bare feet, much more than any natural wood deck.

3. As others said, it often expands with age, rather than contract like wood. Unless properly installed with larger gaps between boards, and at the ends, you may have standing water on the deck, or have to retrim the ends if they press against other deck parts like post's, etc. Maybe current installers know this now and it's less of an issue now.

On the good side, no rot, and no spinters.

I think you will find that mold and mildew will attach itself to any product if the conditions are right. My mahogany deck and pressure treated decks get mold and mildew also because they don't get enough sun.

[tis]

The older original decking had the wood in it and that is what held the mold. It was also hotter, or maybe that was the brand. My Azek is not hot to walk on.

[dpg]

Sky - the boards seem awful close should they be spaced for drainage? Maybe they are and I don't see it. Looks good...

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by dpg

Sky - the boards seem awful close should they be spaced for drainage? Maybe they are and I don't see it. Looks good...

If the photo was taken soon after install, there would be almost no gap. As the PT boards dry out they shrink in width providing a drainage gap.

After out new PT decking sat over winter the gaps are perfect. Also we then applied solid stain both for looks and for protection. PT decking needs to be sealed in some way or over the years cracks will form. And then freezing will enlarge to cracks. The clear slap on sealer will work as well as stain.

[sky's]

Originally Posted by dpg

Sky - the boards seem awful close should they be spaced for drainage? Maybe they are and I don't see it. Looks good...

You are correct when we install we don't gap them because they will shrink as the product dries out. Great question thank you

[Irish mist]

Thankfully my house is level to the ground out back....I dropped a cement patio that is in perfect shape 7 years later. No maintenance no fuss. Much better choice if possible IMO than putting up any kind of decking.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I think you will find that mold and mildew will attach itself to any product if the conditions are right. My mahogany deck and pressure treated decks get mold and mildew also because they don't get enough sun.

You are right, but my point was that anyone that expects the composite decking to be totally maintenance free should keep this in mind.

In my case the mold wasn't on the surface, but inside the product, and this is on a deck that is south facing, and gets plenty of sun all day, so it's usually considered a dry area. It's not an area that would usually be considered prone to mold growth.