How to Build a Composite Deck

Composite decking is material that is made from recycled or pure plastic and recycled wood. The recycled wood used to make the composit material is usually wood fiber or sawdust. Some manufacturers use recycled pop bottles as part of the plastic component for this kind of decking material. Even though the prices of composite material are high, using composite decking as your choice of material for your deck has advantages that far outweigh the use of wood.

Composite Decking Planks

The composite decking material looks just like a plank of wood in size and shape. You can work with the planks of composite decking just as you can with wood decking, by sawing and fitting the ends together. You can cut the ends in any shape you wish, such as rounded, or you can use your router to give the composit decking a decorative appearance. If you check out the composite decking prices, you should also ask if the decking is suitable for this type of styling. Some of the brands of composite material for decking will develop air bubbles if you rip a piece of the plank and expose the surface.

Composite Deck Material

Composite decking planks are colored all the way through. The type of composite decking material you buy will determine how much the material will fade over time. In the first 10 to 12 weeks, you should expect to see some fading of color from the composite decking material, but this is a natural process as the decking becomes acclimatized to the temperature and humidity. If you purchase some of the composit decking that has hollowed edges, you need to pay attention to how the exposed ends are treated. Some of them have individual caps, while others just have a square end. In order to add a decorative edge to some of the composite planks, you may have to use a skirt edge on the decking.

Building the Wooden Frame

When you use composite decking, you still have to build a wooden frame. You also have to look at the spanning ability of the composite decking material you want to purchase. This means reading about the ability of the composit decking to carry a specific load across a specific joist spacing. You should also compare different composite decking prices among retailers because one retailer may offer a cheaper price than another for the same brand of decking.

How to Install Composite Decking

Installing composite decking material to the wooden frame is not a difficult process. The typical method of fastening composite decking is to use a nail or a screw. You can use galvanized nails, decking screws or stainless steel screws. Most experts recommend that you bury the screw below the surface of the deck. If you use hollow planks in your composit decking, the most common method of installation is by inserting the screws in oversized holes that you drill through the composite decking. Then you can fill in the holes with plugs of the same color as the decking.

Author & Source: Peter Leigh

Composite Deck Design Ideas

Deck Design Software for your PC

Designing a deck for your home used to be painstaking work. In most cases, it required the skills and experience of a builder or carpenter. These days, however, do-it-yourself clinics are held at local home improvement stores, sparking a burst of popularity in deck design software. With a few tools, some extra time and a software program that helps add style and flair to your deck, anyone can begin designing the deck that fits perfectly with their home and landscaping.

Download Free 3D Deck Design Software

Composite Decking Design Guide

If you're a homeowner deciding whether to build a deck, you've got a lot of decisions in front of you. The most important choice you face is what kind of deck you want to build. Will it be a porch? A barbecue area? A pool deck? The choices are limited only by your budget and your creativity, so this will undoubtedly be the most challenging decision. But it won't be the only one.

Top 6 Frequently Asked Questions about Composite Decks

How to Build a Deck - DIY

Building a deck is a home improvement project that the average homeowner is more than capable of doing. It generally involves a series of simple sequential steps and involves basic carpentry skills. Deck building has become much simpler with the advent of home improvement retail outlets that offer how-to-do-it clinics, a wide variety of deck related building materials, tool and equipment rentals and even free deck design consultations.

Step by Step DIY Tutorial on How to Build a Deck

Vinyl Decking - a new trend

You may never have heard of vinyl decking before. Many people choose to use wood when building their decks, because it is an inexpensive and readily available material. There are some qualities of a wood deck, however, that make it less than ideal. One of these is the number of times it needs to be treated or painted over the years. Another is the length of time it lasts; eventually, you will need to have a new deck built.

Why Build a Deck made out of Vinyl Plastic

Outdoor Furniture Designs

The first impression anybody has of your home when they visit is the outdoor entrance through which they go inside. Therefore, it's important that your patio is well maintained at all times. Be sure to keep it fresh and up to date because we all know that appearances can be everything. Your patio is as important as your garden and driveway because for guests it provides the first clue as to what to expect when they get inside your home.

All Types of Outdoor Furniture and which is Right for You