Is Composite Decking Slippery When Wet?

Winner: Trex

This, of course, wouldn’t be visually appealing but it would do its job of keeping the floor safe to walk on. You can probably do this on areas that constantly get wet, and has a tendency to get very slippery, such as near the edges of the pool.

I returned all the uncut boards to the lumber yard for credit. There are serious inherent design problems with the composite decking product. I am in the process of switching over to aluminum boards which are more expensive. As my father used to say, quality remains long after the price is forgotten. Don’t be fooled by the contractors on here saying it’s not what it used to be. New names every year and ground breaking technology every year.

Does Trex Or Timbertech Actually Honor Their Warranty?

We advise that Floor Grip be used with a Bonding Agent. SlipDoctors’ Bonding Agent is exclusively designed to maximize the adhesion of coatings and paints on those hard-to-coat surfaces. According to Richmond, who installs plastic and composite decks, all-plastic planks. Building a deck with plastic or composite materials is very similar to using wood, with a few notable exceptions. Plastics tend to shrink and swell lengthwise as temperatures fall and rise . For that reason, manufacturers specify gaps where board ends meet, or they provide a variety of attachment options to accommodate expansion and contraction. Plastics and composites also lose some rigidity and can be vulnerable to sagging when temperatures soar.

When the first composite decking materials were introduced in the 1990s, it was eyed as being the next evolution of the deck-building industry. The first products were made from old shipping pallets and recycled milk cartons, advertised as being something that was 100% resistant to rot. Studies published in the Forest Products Journal in showed that this was not the case. Your boards must receive treatment with a preservative to maximize their potential to fight the natural aging process.

These are algae or fungal growth, molds, or mildew, which can make the surface slippery. Molds do not grow on composite decks, but pollen, leaves or other debris on decks can cause mold. At SlipDoctors we stock Floor Grip, the ideal anti-slip product for composite decking. This product will not change the look of your decks, is easy to apply and incredibly cost-effective.

The recently settled legal matter focused on the propensity of the first generation, uncapped Trex boards to grow mold, mildew, and discolor over time. The 2012 Trex recommendation of painting first-generation Trex decks with enamel paint with grit additive makes sense to us. Assuming the enamel paint with a grit additive will adhere to your particular Trex product, that’s a reasonable for a first-generation Trex deck where nearly the entire surface is slippery. However, if you want a longer-lasting, more resilient traction paint, we recommend the Slip Doctor product line of epoxy grit pain. If most of your Trex Deck is slick, then you’ll need a different solution.

Avoid Deck Rot With Flashing Tape

Add Sand To Your Deck Sealer Or Stain

Fading and damages Darker composite deck colors may fade over time. This is an unavoidable process that happens due to UV rays, weathering, and high foot traffic. Severe scratches and deep gouges are common issues with composite deck products. DuxxBak decking is a unique composite decking that doesn't allow water to pass between the deck boards, keeping the area under the deck dry.

• You’ve probably already noted the difference in cost between composite decking and natural wood; composite materials are more expensive per linear foot.
• But here’s where it’s key to look at the whole picture.
• If you don’t use pressure-treated lumber, then the lifespan of the deck is going to be less because the wood will rot out from underneath the boards on top of it eventually.
• If you start building a deck from composite materials, then you’ll still need to use pressure-treated wood to maximize the lifespan of the construction.
• Plus, most composite products are backed by extended warranties.

Plus, plastic decking can be thinner and lighter than wood or composite decking. While it’s always up for debate in terms of what is the best type of composite decking, one of most popular choices for decking boards are capped composite boards. Capped composite decking boards consist of a mixture of wood and plastic that comprise their core. These boards are then “capped” coated with a sturdy polymer coating. This protective synthetic shell helps protect the wood fibers inside the composite from mold, mildew, rot, and the elements. Today’s composite materials perform better than the original versions, which were more prone to damage from exposure to the elements, and could also be easily scarred from wear and tear. But thanks to new formulations and additions – such as special capstock protecting the board – composite materials are now many times more resilient.

With TimberTech you can build a dream wood-composite deck with confidence. Available products include wood-plastic composite, capped composite, and PVC composite, all available in earth or other natural tones. TimberTech maintains its color and elegance for years without the need of annual painting or staining. And it resists mildew, warping and insects, removing the need to replace rotting, uneven or termite-damaged boards.

Timbertech Composite Decking Color Chart

Hot coals or ignited gas too close to the surface will create similar results. You’ll want to look at how the sun shines on this material at your installation point as well. If the rays have a focus point through a window, then there is a chance that a hot day could melt it as well. When you start shopping for composite decking materials, then you will find that there is a variety of grades available from which to choose.