What is Composite Decking Made of?

Excellent question! As a leader in composite decking products, we here at Trex know the benefits of this type of deck material – and how cost-effective it is. Composite decking is made from recycled plastic and wood filler and is one of the most sustainable materials to build a deck. This durable material is much more low-maintenance than wood decking and doesn’t splinter, warp, or rot. Because of how it’s made, composite decking, like Trex, is a long-lasting option and a great investment.

Besides wood filler, like sawdust and wood scrap, there is an interesting background on how Trex discovered composite material. Roger Wittenberg, an entrepreneur and environmentalist from Winchester, Virginia, in the U.S., set about how to reuse bags from chicken feed. After having an excessive amount of bags from chicken feed bread loaves, he combined this with the wood composite (wood chips and wood fibres), and voilà – a polymer was born! In 1996, we had our first iteration of Trex decking. Let’s explore why composite decking is one of the best decking materials for homeowners.

How is Composite Decking Made?

The main “ingredients” of composite decking are wood filler, such as sawdust and timber scraps, recycled plastic, and a bonding agent additive. These materials adhere together to form a strong compound at the start of the manufacturing process. This compound is then moulded to make composite decking boards by extrusion.

The deck boards are then treated with special preservatives that protect them from rot, mould, and mildew. The composite boards are dyed in a variety of colours, and a wood grain pattern is imprinted. This is the start of many composite deck products, like Trex or Timbertech.

Types of Composite Decking Based on Core Composition

There are several kinds of composite decking, and they vary by the make up of their inner structure. This includes wood-plastic composite decking, capped composite decking, and plastic composite decking. Let’s take a look at each type and see their drawbacks and benefits.

Wood-Plastic Composite (WPC)

Wood-plastic composites combine wood-based materials and plastic fibres. This is also known as composite timber and is widely used in deck building as an alternative to wood decking. Additionally, this composite type is often seen in cladding and outdoor furniture, like park benches. WPC has been a popular choice for both deck builders and home designers, as it’s an attractive medium with many benefits in terms of longevity and quality.

Advantages

• WPCs are extremely durable, eco-friendly, and weather-resistant.
• The material is unlikely to fade and is mildew-resistant. It will fare well in moister climates.
• It’s low-maintenance and merely requires routine annual cleaning.
• WPC material is pliable and can be shaped into curves or arcs.
• Its flooring surface is slip-resistant.
• This sustainable material has a long lifespan

Disadvantages

• WPC doesn’t tolerate hot temperatures above 70° C.
• It can scratch if something abrasive comes in contact with its surface.
• Laser-cutting work might melt it due to heightened temperatures.

Capped Composite Decking

Capped composite decking is another brilliant choice for your dream deck build. It is composite decking capped with a protective polymer coating. This type of decking has the majority of its ingredients derived from recycled products (about 75 to 95 per cent) and boasts a long lifespan.

Advantages

• Capped composite decking has a 25-year warranty.
• Termite resistant. Moisture-resistant, as well!
• Available in multiple finishes, which can hide fasteners.
• It will not need sealing, sanding, or painting.

Disadvantages

• It can heat up fairly quickly in the warm weather.
• More expensive than pressure-treated wood.

Plastic Composite Decking (PVC)

Plastic composite decking (PVC or polyvinyl chloride) has no wood. It’s 100 per cent made from plastic. The long-lasting plastic composite decking option has a lot of upsides, and is worth considering, especially if you’re looking for much less maintenance than traditional timber decking.

Advantages

• It is very easy to keep clean and has almost no maintenance costs.
• It will last an extraordinarily long time, even longer than composite.
• Will retain less heat than composite decking does.

Disadvantages

• The main disadvantage of PVC composite is that it’s pricier.
• Some wood grain pattens do not look as realistic with this option.

Tests on Composite Decking

Multiple tests are performed on composite deck materials to ensure their resistance to the elements. Additionally, an array of extra procedures are performed during the manufacturing process to test the deck’s strength and durability.

A few of the tests performed include:

• Scratch and abrasion resistance
• Impact resistance
• Mould resistance
• Bond strength
• UV (ultraviolet) testing
• Thermal expansion

Some Final Thoughts

There are beautiful options for constructing your deck. Some people gravitate toward natural timber, while others prefer composite materials like Trex. Trex is an innovative choice because it’s environmentally friendly, requires minimal upkeep, is long-lasting, and is sustainable.

Whether you and your family (or flatmates) prefer natural materials or composite, either choice will bring you a rewarding outdoor experience – and enhance your outside space.