As you plan your deck building project, one of the most central questions you have to answer is whether you want to use traditional wood or a composite decking material. Each material is unique, but we believe you will find that composite decking offers many advantages over wood. These are five of the top advantages of composite decking:

• Composite decking offers exact, uniform coloring. Many homeowners love that a composite decking product has a uniform color and style across every board. As an added bonus, unlike wood, composite decking does not fade, meaning the color you choose for your deck design today will remain the same for years to come, never appearing dull or faded by the sun.
• Composite decking will not splinter or crack. If you walk on a wood deck barefoot, you risk a splinter—but that is not the case when walking on a composite deck. Composite decking materials are composed primarily of hard plastic, and unlike wood, this material will not splinter or crack. In fact, composite decking was created to eliminate the problems that occur with regular wood decking, namely splintering. Splintering and cracking are primary reasons why wood decks need to be routinely sealed.
• Composite decking offers the same strength as wood. Composite decking is not a weaker or less resistant option for a deck than wood. Quite the opposite, composite decking offers just as much, if not more, strength than wood. You will find many composite decks in various locations that require durability. For example, some brands of composite decks are more resistant to sea salt and are ideal for oceanfront properties.
• Composite decking requires less maintenance for the long-term. This type of decking material does cost more initially than wood decking materials, but you will save substantial money in maintenance in the long-term. A wood deck may be less expensive to build, but it will cost you more money each season in upkeep maintenance and any necessary repairs than a composite deck. The maintenance required for a composite deck is simply a thorough wash or hose down every once in a while.
• Composite decking is available from many brands to fit your unique needs. There are many composite decking providers, meaning you have many styles and colors from which to choose for your project. Cleveland Lumber Company provides composite decking materials from three top brands:
  • TimberTech composite decking
  • Trex composite decking
  • MoistureShield composite decking, including MoistureShield Vantage

Questions about using composite decking materials in your new deck design project? Give the team at Cleveland Lumber Company a call today to learn more about the products we have available.