Natural Wood Decking vs Composite - www.decktec.com - DeckTec Outdoor Designs
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Natural Wood Decking
vs
Composite
www.decktec.com 303.277.1550 mail@decktec.com
JUST SAY NO: FRIENDS DON’T LET
FRIENDS INSTALL SYNTHETIC DECKING
As a homeowner, you want what’s best for it and your family.
We’ve been designing and building decks for over 30 years –
well before this plastic particle board first came on the market
in the 1990s. We’re here to tell you that the only way synthetic
decks are “maintenance free” is if homeowners choose not to
maintain them! Think about it. Is there anything in your life that’s
genuinely maintenance-free? Read on for the insider scoop on
synthetic decking and you’ll soon see that the hype all boils
down to a bunch of spin.
THE SORRY TALE OF SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE
Southern yellow pine covers a significant portion of the
populous South and Midwest regions of the country. This wood IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT
is such poor quality that it’s not suitable for house framing For homeowners in Colorado and the Western United States,
and truthfully has no real inherent economic value. But the none of this should have ever been relevant. Here in the Rocky
chemical industry and the wood industry got together and set Mountains and Pacific West, we’re blessed with an abundant
out to change that. They came up with a plan: “pressure treated” supply of excellent, high-quality wood such as redwood and
southern yellow pine. The wood was put into a high-heat, cedar. Other high-quality woods such as mahogany have been
high-pressure chamber in which copper chromium arsenate available to us through the west coast ports. And with our arid
preservative (a brew as toxic as it sounds) would penetrate a climate, we haven’t been faced with the humidity-related issues
mere 4mm deep. This “enhanced” lumber was marketed for that plague the South and Midwest. Lucky Westerners never
decks, but in truth, this product wasn’t right for the decking, needed a replacement for pressure-treated yellow pine because
railings, or any finished components in these high-humidity we never used that stuff in the first place.
areas. The wood would twist, bow and splinter, and you couldn’t
get any type of finish to adhere to it because of the chemicals But, alas, we all know the power of spin. The synthetic decking
on the surface, making these decks a maintenance nightmare! manufacturers sent their fast-talking advertising reps and ran
their seductive marketing campaigns coast to coast and folks
ENTER THE BIG BOYS here in Colorado were sold a bill of goods along with the rest of
Despite the obvious drawbacks of pressure-treated pine, major the country.
building materials manufacturers saw an opportunity and
The glorified plastic decking materials do not hold up against
entered the market with an alternative of their own: plastic
fading, scratching, staining, decomposition, or general
wood. Companies such as TREX, the most widely-known brand,
deterioration. Additionally, the products can be prone to
rushed in with what they called “composites” to make what was
sagging, shrinkage, expansion, and an overall limited lifespan.
wood and plastic particle board sound high tech. They passed
Despite the dubious nature of the low-maintenance claim, the
it off as a green product by claiming that they were recycling
bad marketing seed had been planted nationwide and has led
plastic bags and milk bottles. Eventually, the government
to this ongoing controversy of whether synthetic is the way for
came in and banned this fallacious claim. When the “green
savvy homeowners to go.
scheme” didn’t work, the manufacturers concocted a shiny new
“maintenance-free” story to keep consumers on the hook. Year after year, to mask problems and keep stringing the
public along, manufacturers routinely came out with “new and
improved” materials. Anytime someone raised complaints
303.277.1550 • MAIL@DECKTEC.COM
about the performance of these products, they were told, ECO-FRIENDLY? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING
“This year’s product is new and improved.” Every year it was And as for that eco-green claim? Synthetics have demonstrated
new and improved! Don’t fall for this slick marketing. At the a limited lifespan. That’s a fraction of the decades you get from
end of the day, it all looks fake, and they still can’t point to a quality wood deck. These composites have no reclamation
any deck that’s been out there for any length of time that’s or re-use value and go straight to the landfill where they leach
demonstrated enduring quality toxic chemicals such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Like all other
plastics, synthetic decking is not biodegradable.
WE TREAT OUR CUSTOMERS LIKE FAMILY
Based on our experience with synthetics we upped our WOOD ONLY AND PROUD
commitment to serving our clientele responsibly and ethically. As far as we know, we’re the only major wood-only deck
Unlike most companies, once we understood the true nature company in the Denver metro area. Our business has continued
of these artificial materials, we could not in good conscience to thrive as our clientele increasingly appreciate the longevity,
continue to recommend them. If we would not offer composites rich appearance, and higher return on investment that they get
to our family and friends, we simply could not provide them to from a truly green, biodegradable natural material.
our valued customers either. Most decking companies out there
promoting synthetics do so because they have no right way to The allure of natural materials is here to stay. Today’s
service or support natural wood. sophisticated homeowners value wood floors and cabinets and
granite counters for their interiors, and brick, stone, and stucco
for their exteriors.
Coloradans love the outdoor lifestyle and all things natural.
Our homeowners don’t want the cheap, plastic look and feel of
synthetic decking. A gorgeous custom wood deck is, of course,
the “natural” fit.
303.277.1550 • MAIL@DECKTEC.COM
BREAKING THE MYTH OF COMPOSITE
Choosing the right material for your deck can leave you scratching your head between real wood and wood-plastic composite.
Where wood has been a time-tested deck material for decades, composite rose in the 90s and 2000s as an alternative to low
quality, pressure-treated, southern yellow pine used throughout the Midwest, South, and Eastern regions of the U.S. However, this
alternative deck material has been plagued with problems from the start. From mold, fading, scratching and staining issues, to
boards swelling, splitting, or disintegrating entirely, people have been mislead on the quality and durability of composite products.
MYTH: COMPOSITE DECKING MEANS LESS MAINTENANCE
What in life is maintenance-free? Many people are drawn into the allure of composite
decking by claims of low maintenance. Search for “composite low maintenance
decking” on Google, and you’re bound to come up with an array of pages claiming
that composite materials require little to no maintenance. However, if you are
to look at these company’s websites about how to care for the material, you will
quickly find that upkeep is anything but low maintenance. Unlike a wood deck,
where a yearly wash and stain will keep it protected, you must be constantly on the
lookout for dirt, debris, or food spillage on a synthetic deck. Sweeping may become
a daily habit in the spring when pollen fills the air and covers your deck, as it can
feed mold and mildew that can grow on the synthetic boards. A food spill must be
cleaned up immediately to prevent staining of the material. Often this cleaning will
result in you on your hands and knees with a scrub brush trying to prevent staining
or scrubbing pollen and dirt out of cracks. We won’t argue that cleaning is necessary on real wood too, but cleaning won’t
prevent the fading scuffing and scratching that composite products are notorious for.
Simply put, it is only maintenance-free you don’t care about the appearance.
MYTH: COMPOSITE MATERIALS ARE GREEN
The other claim that draws people in is the idea that composite synthetic
decking material is “green” or “environmentally friendly.” Many companies
claim this because of the use of recycled materials, such as the plastic bags we
get from the grocery store. However these promises don’t take into account the
manufacturing process, where they must create new plastics for their material
or the non-biodegradable dust that is created during the building process.
There is also the fact that once the material is be removed to remodel or build
a new deck, the old boards will sit in the landfill forever, as plastic does not
decompose like wood.
When it comes to wood, identifying sustainability harvested wood is easy. Talk
to your contractor about where they source their wood, and if the supplier has
been certified by an independent third party forest certification program such as:
Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI), or the
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
MYTH: WOOD IS HIGH MAINTENANCE
While it’s true that wood will require maintenance, it will not require a lot of
maintenance over the course of a year. A yearly cleaning and staining is all your
deck will need to continue looking as good as the day you put it in. This yearly
maintenance is not required, though. You can also allow your deck to weather
naturally to the silver-gray patina that many find beautiful and highly coveted.
Best of all are the restoration qualities of wood that are not found in composites.
Wood that has been left to weather can be restored to near new condition.
303.277.1550 • MAIL@DECKTEC.COM
WOOD DECKING vs “ALTERNATIVE” DECKING
There is perhaps no greater or longer running rivalry in the deck construction world as there is regarding the right material for
your deck. All-natural wood versus the latest composite material has been a topic of debate for decades. We believe the choice
is clear; alternative decking materials don’t hold up to that of natural woods like redwood, cedar, mahogany, and ipe. Across
the country, people are disappointed in their composite deck’s performance as it warps, stains, degrades, fades, or burns
their feet. Not only has alternative deck material garnered low ratings from customers, but it has also been the focus of several
lawsuits. People are fed up with their plastic deck.
For years now, companies that produce these unnatural, chemically produced deck materials have been leading the outdoor-
loving public astray. With promises of a “maintenance-free” deck, homeowners often find that these materials cannot live up
to the claims. This marketing continues despite continued class action lawsuits and accounts from real, concerned customers.
As an experienced, specialty contractor in custom wood deck design of 30 years, DeckTec has come to set the record straight!
WHY TRUST DECKTEC?
Dating back to before the introduction of synthetic deck products, we specialized in building decks and were one of the first
companies in Colorado to install and warranty these new composite materials. From this hands-on experience and continued
research into composite decks, we conclude that alternative decking is not meant for Colorado’s ever-changing climate
conditions. That’s why we only specialize in the proven and time tested, wood deck.
When considering deck materials, it’s best to look at the big picture. Different deck materials are standard in different parts of
the country, which means quality can vary wildly from East to West. From the Midwest to the East Coast, decks have historically
used the lower-quality pressure treated southern yellow pine as the go-to decking material. This wood has a high tendency
to warp, cup, and splinter. With the combination of the poor quality of wood and the prevailing climate in the South and
East (high humidity and hot temperatures), maintaining these decks is a constant battle. Synthetic deck companies saw an
opportunity and pushed the “maintenance-free” composite decking material to solve the problems caused by the poor quality
of southern yellow pine.
In Colorado and throughout the West, pressure-treated yellow pine was never the standard in deck construction. Redwood
and cedar have been the standard in the high-quality decks you find from Colorado to California. These two kinds of wood are
naturally insect and decay resistant, dimensionally stable, beautiful, and accept and maintain finishes well. Redwood and
cedar have been used in homes for siding, roofing, and fencing for generations. Not to mention, they last twice as long as the
pressure-treated southern yellow pine.
303.277.1550 • MAIL@DECKTEC.COM
WOOD AND YOUR DECK
As the premier wood only deck company in Colorado, we often get asked why we don’t use composite material to build our decks.
The short answer is, we don’t believe composite materials hold up in Colorado’s ever-changing climate. We have seen it warp, chip,
crack, degrade, swell, stain, and mold, to name a few things. That is why, years ago, we decided to focus our efforts on wood. Wood
has been used for years and is a time-tested material for deck construction. We’ve been building decks for over 30 years, and we’ve
seen our wood decks last for decades.
You’re probably wondering what kind of wood is right for your deck and lifestyle. Let us introduce you to
DeckTec’s Real Wood lineup:
REDWOOD
For generations, redwood has been the gold standard in wood deck construction.
Its deep red color makes it appealing, while its natural resistance to insects and
fungus makes it an excellent choice for any deck. Not having to worry about pests
and fungus will allow you to enjoy the deck to its fullest extent for years without
the worry that comes with lesser quality woods. Redwood has even stood up to
termites! Not only that, but redwood has a Class B fire rating, which means you
and your family will have more time to get to safety should the worst happen.
CEDAR
Like redwood, cedar is naturally rot and insect resistant, but it’s also one of the
lightest woods you can use to build your deck. Don’t let this lightness fool you,
it’s just as durable as redwood and can last just as long, if not longer. Many
Native American Cedar artifacts have been found and are still in good condition
today! If you like your wood to have a more traditional color, cedar perfect, with
vibrant golden-brown color. Cedar has a Class B fire rating, making it a safe
choice for your home.
MAHOGANY
Perhaps one of the most beautiful woods, it’s renowned for the woven
look to its grain. This tropical wood has come into vogue lately because of the
beauty and color of the wood. Mahogany is described as a mix of redwood’s deep
red hues, and cedar’s rich browns. Mahogany is also rot and insect resistant
and is one of the best woods to use in our ever-changing climate, because of the
minimal shrinking and expanding it will exhibit during the changes in humidity
and moisture accumulation. Finally, mahogany boasts a Class A fire rating, the
same rating given to steel and concrete.
IPE
Ipe, also known as Brazilian walnut, is perhaps the toughest and long-lasting
deck material available in the United States. This hardwood has been shown to
last 40 years or more in the elements, and is used as material for boardwalks in
coastal cities. Ipe is, of course, rot and insect resistance, and like mahogany,
ipe has a Class A fire rating because of its density.
303.277.1550 • MAIL@DECKTEC.COM
WHY DON’T WE USE COMPOSITES?
Like many other companies, when composite and synthetic decking materials were introduced we were excited to
start working with this new, supposedly maintenance free decking. Eventually we became warranty providers for
Trex, which opened our eyes to the breadth of issues these materials experience. In our experience these mate-
rials only last 5-10 years before they start to degrade, warp, or afflicted with non-repairable damage. This is too
short of a time for a deck that cost about the same as a car. We want your outdoor living experience to be the best
it can for as long as you own your home, which is something that only wood can offer.
303.277.1550 • MAIL@DECKTEC.COM
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