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Mar 15, 2023
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Top Reasons to Choose Composite Decking Material Instead of Wood

When planning a decking project, homeowners often have a general idea of their vision, including factors like the size and layout, which will depend on the property itself and the homeowner’s budget.  One crucial part of planning is deciding on the material to use, and it’s common for homeowners to have conflicting opinions about composite decking vs. wood. Here’s why maintenance-free decking with composite and synthetic materials is a better choice than wood.

Millboard Decking

Comparing Composite & Wood Deck Materials

1. You Want a Deck That Won’t Succumb to the Harsh Winter Weather

Wisconsin and Minnesota experience temperature swings along with heavy snow and rainfall. Composite decking is a great choice for these areas because it’s built to handle these conditions. Untreated wood decking in this climate is prone to dry rot and structural damage, meaning it can require more maintenance and treatment than composite.

wood deck

2. You Want A Decking Material That Won’t Stretch Or Warp

When considering different types of decks, it’s good to understand how the material weathers.  Summers in the Twin Cities & Western Wisconsin are full of heat and humidity. Hot temperatures can cause a wood deck to shrink and dry out. This causes the wood deck to be more likely to absorb precipitation, and over time, this can cause the deck material to swell and buckle.

Composite deck boards are weather-resistant. They can handle rain, extreme temperatures, and high winds. There is no worry about this decking material fading over time in direct sunlight.  Learn more about this by checking out our composite decking cheat sheet.

Millboard Deck

 

3. You Want A More Durable Deck

When deciding if you should build a wood or composite deck, know that wooden decks fail faster.  That’s because wood is prone to rotting, splintering, and insect damage over time.

Quality composite-synthetic decking is built to withstand damage from:

  • Insects
  • Scratching
  • Warping
  • Splintering
  • Staining
  • Direct sunlight

4. You Want a Deck Material That Requires The Least Amount of Maintenance

Composite or synthetic decking differs from wood decking because it does not need routine staining or painting. To keep decks made from composite looking their best, they only need an occasional washing down.

Wooden decking, on the other hand, needs frequent upkeep to keep it looking its best.  Maintenance can include:

  • Power washing
  • Sanding
  • Stripping off old stain
  • Applying a brightener and conditioner
  • Sanding or painting

Not only is upkeep tedious for wood decks, but it is also expensive and time-consuming.

cedar deck

5. You Want An Environmentally Friendly Product

The type of decking material you choose can have an impact on the environment.  When comparing composite decking vs. wood, a product’s eco-friendliness depends on how it’s made.

Decks made from composite materials often have a better sustainability rating because of their longevity. And, composite deck boards are often made from recycled materials.

Obtaining wood to use for decking is often the result of deforestation, which can be harmful to the environment. Plus, the sealants and stains that are commonly used to preserve wood decking can be toxic to the environment.

Bonus Read: Decking & Energy Efficient Improvements

decking

A Final Thought On Composite-Synthetic Decking

There are many reasons why a composite deck is a wise decision for Midwestern homeowners.  Whether your priority is lower maintenance or greater durability, composite-synthetic decking is a solid choice.

When you’re ready to start your deck project, we encourage you to lean into an expert for advice.  When installed the right way, a composite deck can last several decades. If you have questions about materials you’re considering contact us today or schedule your complimentary consultation to get an estimate.

View Maintenance-Free Decks We’ve Built:

Composite Decking Reviews:

"Deck looks nice.  Thank you!"

Hector G.
Minneapolis, MN
November 10, 2022

"We love our new deck! Triston and Dylan worked hard and did a nice job. They were responsive to any request or thought I had about logistics too. Thanks so much!"

Patti A.
Plymouth, MN
October 13, 2022

"Lindus Construction added a landing and steps to our 2nd floor exterior deck. They completed sooner than promised and did an outstanding job. The materials used are top notch, the construction was done with very good quality, and they look beautiful while being very sturdy. Everything was to code and the post construction inspection found no problems. I'm glad I chose them!"

Mark M.
Brooklyn Park, MN
October 3, 2022

"You have gone the extra mile for us. Thank you - what a great worker Lindus has! "We have enjoyed having you here."

Jay M.
Lindstrom, MN
September 30, 2022

"My wood deck separated from the house. They removed it and replaced it with a beautiful new maintenance-free deck." 

Ron S.
Bloomington, MN
September 29, 2022

"The guys who built our deck were very courteous and responsive. There were a couple KDAT boards we didn't like because of some big cracks and we showed them and they replaced them without a problem. After the project was finished they sent out their own Lindus inspector who then showed me some other things that we had not noticed and was sending them back out to take care of. We were really impressed with this.  The initial consultation was very informative about a lot of different products out there today. What they are made of, how they are made, how they hold up, and what is best for your personal budget."

Brandon K..
Hammond, WI
July 21, 2022
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