Top 10 Tips for Designing Your Next Composite Wood Decking in 2022

An old saying goes, "measure twice, and cut once." It may not be a saying, but it should be. This saying couldn't be more accurate when designing a composite wood decking project at home.

Designing your composite wood deck is a process that allows you to seek out the products and ideas that go with your design tastes. While there are specific steps to the process, it is not an absolute right or wrong.

The article is filled with tips and tricks that will help you become familiar with the composite wood deck designing process to make the right decisions on your project.

Composite wood decking has many advantages over traditional wood decking. Composite wood comes in a variety of textures and colors, is made to resist damage from the sun and rain, and for many reasons, can be less expensive than other types of decking.

Here are some tips for choosing a material for your next composite wood deck.

 

Why Should Composite Decking Be Used For Designing Your House?

Composite decking is standard in outdoor spaces such as patios, decks, and swimming pool decks. It has some fantastic features that you will love. Since this is a relatively new product, many people are still skeptical.

Here are a few reasons why composite decking should be your first choice when designing your home:

1. Longer Life Span:

The benefit of composite decking is that it outlasts most other materials used to construct decks and patios. Wood is prone to termites and other pests that quickly destroy the wooden deck.

There are many cases where the wooden deck looks well maintained, but termites have eaten their way through the structure without being detected by any human eye.

It can only happen with wood material. On the other hand, composite decking lasts for years without needing repair or maintenance work.

2. Comfortable To Walk On:

Composite decking provides comfort to walk on because of its surface texture and appearance. Compared to wood, composite decking feels spongy and gives an impression that it is soft to walk on.

3. Strength and Durability:

The high-end material made of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene allows these boards to withstand harsh weather conditions over a long period. They are more durable than traditional lumber, prone to rot and split.

4. Environment Friendly:

Composite decking is made from recyclable materials that are fully biodegradable. It can be safely disposed of after usage, unlike pressure-treated lumber, which involves using toxic chemicals that can end up in water bodies and soil.

5. The Price of The Material:

While many people think that composite decking products are expensive, they are less costly than other materials available on the market today. Most composite decking materials can cost up to 50% less than wood or plastic ones.

6. Aesthetics:

The appearance of these products is one of the most significant advantages that you will get from them. Composite decking materials come in many colors, so you can be sure that there will be an option that will fit your needs and tastes perfectly.

 

10 Tips for Designing Your Next Composite Wood Decking

Are you thinking about designing your deck? Composite materials are quickly becoming the preferred choice for deck builders. It is because of the many advantages composite wood offers compared to traditional lumber.

Here are some things to consider when designing your next composite decking project:

1. Consider Your Market Area:

Before beginning any design process, it is essential to note where the home or structure will be built. It will determine what type of weather conditions you may encounter over time. It is necessary to use a moisture-resistant composite material in areas that receive frequent rains.

2. Composite Can Withstand Extreme Temperatures:

Composite material generally maintains its integrity in extreme hot or cold temperatures (although this will vary depending on which specific material you choose).

It means you can use composite materials in areas with harsh climates like Canada, Alaska, or even desert regions like Arizona. Composite materials also offer superior fire resistance because they do not burn quickly like traditional wood materials.

3. Get Digitally Inspired:

Before committing to anything, get digitally inspired! Browse through images of composite decking projects and try to pick up on any design elements that appeal to you. It will give you some ideas of what direction you want to take with your decking project.

Using tools like Google Image Search or Pinterest is a great way to start identifying design trends and inspiration for your space before it's built. When you begin digitally, you can also plan out where everything is going and make sure it's aesthetically pleasing before spending money on materials.

4. Decide On Decking Details:

Once you've decided on the design aspects for your deck, it's time to choose the materials. Do you want board-on-board or board-up-board? What about railings?

Do you want exposed fasteners or hidden fasteners? Once you know what type of detail and materials you want, it will help you narrow down your composite wood products.

5. Understand Costs And Value:

While the initial cost may vary depending on the size, style, and features you choose, a few techniques to help you stay within your budget. Consider the long-term benefits of composite decking, which won't splinter or decay and requires little maintenance.

6. Dive Into Design:

Like any good design project, planning your deck is about identifying your needs and wants. Think about how you will use the space and what type of care you want to give it.

After you have your vision in mind, start gathering ideas, pictures, and outdoor design information that can help guide your planning process. Here are some ways to begin:

Search online for examples of decks that appeal to you. Look for decks that incorporate the same kinds of activities you would like to include on your patio.

7. Use Contrasting Colors:

Make sure your deck design includes contrast between the decking materials and anything else that might be in the area, such as your house or other structures. The color of your home might already provide enough contrast; if so, you can use another color on the decking to add more contrast.

For those who have large area to fill consider using bold colors such as orange, red, or yellow. However, be careful when choosing these colors because they can make your home appear smaller than it is. Lighter shades of green and blue create an airy feel, ideal for smaller homes and yards where space might be limited.

8. Design With Harmony:

Harmony means using colors and patterns that go well together. It's all about creating a visual flow that makes everything work together, even if it's not the same pattern or the same hue.

9. Consider Textures:

The best thing about composite decking is that you can do practically anything with it. You can create a rustic, textured effect by running a wood-burnishing tool over the flat, smooth face for a worn, weathered look.

Or you can stamp designs into it by using a set of stamps with different shapes. If your deck is in an area that sees a lot of foot traffic, you may want to consider a more low-key, even-textured surface.

Finishing Touches:

Composite products are always easier to work with when clean and dry. They tend to warp or crack if wet for prolonged periods.

Other finishing touches include sanding down the decking boards to remove rough edges and ensuring that screws or nails don't protrude from the panels or the deck frame.

If you are working with a material like bamboo with a very open weave, you'll need to seal it with a wood preservative beforehand to prevent water from soaking through the holes in the boards.

Railings

It can be as simple as adding balusters to your existing railing or as complicated as creating a custom design from scratch. As long as you can buy the materials at your local hardware store, you should be able to get this done on your own.

Flooring

Composite decking is manufactured in various colors and grain patterns that mimic natural underfoot. For example, you could use composite decking with an oaken finish or pick up a redwood pattern if you want something more rustic.

Ornaments

You can add decorative trim or moldings to your pool area for extra flair. In addition, many composite decking systems will accept staining or painting quickly without any special preparation.

 

Bottom Line:

Composite decking can be a great addition to any home. It's stylish, affordable, and offers years of fun and relaxation in the backyard. Visit The Composite Company to buy your favorite composite decks at a reasonable price.

If you're interested in purchasing composite decking but are unsure where to begin, check out our top 10 tips for designing your next composite wood decking project.

We've covered everything you need to consider when creating your decking layout.

 

Now that you have read the top 10 tips for designing your next composite wood decking, how have you found the blog post? Please share your opinions with us. The Composite Company is the best choice for those looking for the best composite decking material.