Trex is a high-performance composite decking made from 95% recycled materials, including reclaimed wood and sawdust as well as recycled plastic from many common household items, such as the plastic overwrap on packaging for paper towels and toilet paper, dry cleaner bags, newspaper bags, grocery and shopping bags.
Timbertech decks are a tough composite wood alternative decking. It looks and feels like wood but it is tougher.
Composite Decking Offers the Look of Wood with Unmatched Durability and Low Maintenance
Bay Area Outdoor Living explains everything you need to know about composite decking, from the top brands to the installation process. Discover how composite decks provide the beauty of wood without the ongoing upkeep.
If you love spending time outdoors in your backyard but don’t want the hassle of maintaining a traditional wood deck, composite decking may be the perfect solution for you. Composite decking offers the elegant, natural look of real wood with none of the splintering, warping, or rotting. At Bay Area Outdoor Living, we specialize in crafting stunning, low-maintenance composite decks that families can enjoy for decades to come. Read on to learn all about the benefits of composite decking, the top brands on the market, and what to expect during installation.
The Benefits of Composite Decking
Composite decking has grown tremendously in popularity over the past decade, and for good reason. Here are some of the key advantages composite decks have over traditional wood:
Durability: Composite decking is engineered to endure years of use and exposure to the elements. The composite materials resist moisture, mildew, and pests.
Low Maintenance: Unlike natural wood, composite decking doesn’t require seasonal sealing, staining, or painting. Just an occasional soap-and-water cleaning is all it needs.
Stability: Composite decking won’t splinter, crack, or warp the way natural wood does. The boards retain their shape and structural integrity over time.
Customizable Looks: Composite decking comes in a wide variety of colors, textures, and designs. Mix and match to create your own custom look.
Eco-Friendly: Many composite decking brands use recycled plastic, reclaimed wood fibers, and other sustainable materials. This makes composite decking an environmentally responsible choice.
Safety: Composite decking doesn’t suffer from loose splinters like traditional deck wood. It’s comfortable under bare feet and safe for kids and pets.
Return on Investment: While composite decking has a higher upfront cost than wood, it more than pays for itself over time thanks to dramatically lower maintenance requirements.
Top Composite Decking Brands
If you’re sold on composite decking, it’s time to select a brand. Here are some of the top names in composite decking that we trust and install here at Bay Area Outdoor Living:
Trex
As the original pioneer of composite decking, Trex has decades of expertise and continues to be a leading brand trusted by homeowners and building professionals. Their high-performance composite boards are made from recycled plastic film and reclaimed wood fibers for an eco-friendly profile.
Trex decking comes in three tiers:
Select: The most affordable Trex option, Select boards are capped on three sides and resistant to fading and stains. This line offers a beautiful wood-like appearance.
Enhance: With an enhanced shell protecting all four sides of the boards, Enhance takes durability even further. Rich colors and natural grain patterns give an authentic wood look.
Transcend: As Trex’s premium decking, Transcend features unparalleled fade, stain, scratch and mold resistance. With deep, nuanced colors and elegant grain, it provides ultimate beauty.
All Trex composite decking is backed by a 25-year residential warranty, so you can enjoy years of unwavering performance. Trex boasts industry-leading durability credentials through research and rigorous testing.
TimberTech
TimberTech is renowned for their innovative decking technologies like the unrivaled PermaTech cap layer. This encapsulating polymer shell fully covers the decking boards on all four sides, shielding the interior from moisture absorption.
TimberTech offers three tiered collections:
Terrain Collection: Made from a blend of natural wood fibers and recycled plastic, Terrain boards feature bold colors and unique mineral streaking.
Tropical Collection: Providing an exotic look, Tropical decking incorporates resilient bamboo fibers mixed with reclaimed wood and polymers.
Legacy Collection: As their premium line, Legacy uses TimberTech’s PermaTech technology for superior protection and longevity. With multi-tonal colors and realistic wood grain patterns, Legacy decking is natural looking while being engineered for enduring performance.
TimberTech provides one of the longest warranties in composite decking, covering their products for 25 years against staining, fading, and material defects. Their innovative manufacturing technologies deliver gorgeous, resilient composite decking
Fiberon
Fiberon creates composite decking using an innovative manufacturing process optimized for sustainability. Their boards contain up to 95% recycled content including reclaimed wood fibers and recycled PVC.
The two main Fiberon decking technologies are:
PE Composite: Made from polyethylene plastic resins for enhanced durability against moisture, stains, and fading.
PVC Composite: Utilizes polyvinyl chloride for remarkable protection and slip-resistance. The dense PVC compound creates a naturally hard surface.
Within these two categories, Fiberon offers a wide selection of composite collections to suit any aesthetic, from traditional wood looks to exotic tropical patterns to rustic earth tones and bold solid colors.
Fiberon is a proven brand recognized for pioneering sustainable materials and technologies to continually improve composite decking performance. Their boards are shielded on all four sides and crafted to endure for decades with a 25-year residential warranty backing their brand promise.
When choosing a composite decking brand, take into account factors like appearance, warranty, price, and durability ratings. The right brand for you depends on your aesthetic tastes, lifestyle, and budget. Keep in mind that higher-end boards usually provide better performance and longer warranties.
Composite Decking Installation Process
Installing a composite deck requires professional expertise. Here’s what the process typically involves here at Bay Area Outdoor Living:
1. Design Consultation: We meet with you to discuss your hopes for the space, then create a custom 3D design plan and estimate.
2. Site Preparation: The installation team clears the site and takes care of demolition if needed. The ground is graded and prepared.
3. Foundation: We construct a sturdy foundation for the deck floor, typically using concrete footings or piers. Proper support prevents sinking and shifting.
4. Framing: Pressure-treated wood or composite frames are built over the foundation. This provides the infrastructure for the decking.
5. Decking Installation: The composite decking boards are cut, positioned, and fastened with hidden fasteners to the framing. Fascia and trim complete the edges.
6. Railings and Stairs: Railings, banisters, and stairs are added for safety and accessibility. These can match or contrast the decking.
7. Finishing Touches: The team completes the final details, such as lighting, planter boxes, or built-in benches based on your deck design.
8. Cleanup: Once the project is complete, we handle full site cleanup, hauling all debris away. Your new maintenance-free deck is ready to enjoy!
Transform Your Backyard with a Composite Deck
If you’re ready to create an outdoor living oasis without the hassle of wood deck maintenance, composite decking is a perfect solution. Contact the experts at Bay Area Outdoor Living today for a free design consultation and quote. We’ll bring your ideal low-maintenance composite deck to life! Reclaim your yard with a beautiful and durable composite deck made to last.
s into enviable outdoor spaces. Fiberon is a high-performance, eco-friendly wood alternative. Fiberon decking offers the warmth and appeal of natural hardwoods without all the time and expense of maintenance. Choose from a wide range of colors, finishes and options to fit your style and budget.
Metamorphosis Construction is up to date with the pros and cons of each product and will guide you to the process. Let metamorphosis create the perfect deck as part of you outdoor living paradise.