What Are the Pros and Cons of Composite Decks for Missouri Homeowners?

If you’re thinking about installing a deck for your Missouri home, you should seriously consider the pros and cons of composite decks before choosing this material for your installation. Composite decking has many great benefits, but it can also be a bad choice depending on your home’s location and your specific needs, future plans, and budget.

Pros And Cons Of Composite Decks: Advantages

You might consider using a composite deck as a Missouri homeowner because of several key benefits.

Composite Decking Can Last for a Long Time

For starters, composite decking materials last for a very long time. In fact, quality composite deck boards that are properly installed on a well-built deck frame can last for 25 years or more. That’s why 25 years is the standard warranty length for composite deck boards.

When you consider the fact that ordering and installing a residential deck is a big investment in the first place, this becomes an even more important advantage!

Composite Decks Don’t Need a Lot of Maintenance

Secondly, composite decks don’t require a ton of maintenance, especially compared to pure wood decks. Wood decks require you to stain them, clean them regularly, and check them for termite damage.

In comparison, composite decks don’t require these same maintenance hurdles. If in addition to the composite deck you also install a powder-coated metal railing you now have a deck that will last for 25 years with low or no maintenance at all.

Composite Decks Are Durable

This speaks to the third major advantage: long-term durability. While there are a couple of potential vulnerabilities (discussed below), composite decks are generally considered very durable and robust. You won’t need to worry too much about damaging the deck even if you spend a lot of time on it or place heavy objects and materials on the deck for storage space.

The resin and wood fibers used in composite boards are meant to last for a very long time, and you’ll certainly see that when you get your deck installed properly.

Pros And Cons Of Composite Decks: Disadvantages

Although composite decks can be great, they also have some potential downsides to keep in mind.

Framing Has to Be Right

Firstly, any composite deck has to be framed correctly for the manufacturer’s specifications for you to get maximum enjoyment and warranty out of it. If the framing is incorrect, such as the spacing of the supports, the composite deck can flex where it shouldn’t and may be damaged and compromised.

Therefore, it’s important to hire experienced contractors like CoMo Premium Exteriors to install your composite decking. We’ll do everything properly and make sure you don’t run into this issue.

Some Grills Can Be Dangerous

Next, open-air grills that use charcoal or wood pellets can be dangerous for your composite decking if not properly protected. Hot charcoal, for example, dropped on a composite deck can melt it or scar it.  However, there are many simple solutions to this including mats that go under the grill or placing the grill in a different location.

Composite Decks Get Hot

The third major potential downside: composite decks can easily get very hot to walk on. Composite deck boards are very dense, so they retain heat from the sun and summer weather much more than other materials.  While good quality composite deck boards are not likely to warp if they receive a lot of direct sunlight they can be uncomfortable on bare skin.

Therefore, going out on your deck while barefoot in the middle of the summer might not be the wisest idea!

Pros And Cons Of Composite Decks: Conclusion

At the end of the day, only you can determine whether a composite deck is a right choice for your Missouri home. Don’t make your decision without contacting the professionals. Give us a call today and we will tell you more about the pros and cons of composite decks and set up a consultation right away.