Everything You Need To Know About How To Install Composite Decking

How to Install Composite Decking

Composite decking offers an appealing and maintenance-free alternative to traditional wood, making the transformation of your outdoor spaces easy to achieve. Whether you’re tackling the installation yourself or hiring a professional deck installer, the success of your deck begins with a solid plan and thoughtful design.

Join the experts at Deck Guardian as we outline the essential steps to take your backyard from basic to breathtaking with composite decking. Read on to learn how to install composite decking like the professionals!

What is Composite Decking?

Composite decking is a modern alternative to traditional wood decking. It is created from a blend of materials that typically include recycled wood fibers and plastics. The core of these deck boards may consist entirely of polymer materials or a combination of organic wood flakes and various plastic types. This innovative construction offers a super strong and eco-friendly decking material.

Composite deck boards are designed for enhanced durability. They can be partially or fully encapsulated, meaning they have a protective cap on three or four sides. This capping is important because, unlike traditional wood decking, it provides a substantial layer of protection against the elements, wear, and tear.

The outer cap of composite decking not only adds to its structural integrity but also helps in resisting fading, staining, and scratching, ensuring your deck remains beautiful and functional for years, even decades.

The integration of these materials and the protective capping technology make composite decking a low-maintenance, visually appealing, and durable choice for outdoor spaces. It provides lasting beauty with much less upkeep than traditional wood decks.

Advantages of Building with Composite Decking Materials

Building a deck with composite decking materials is generally considered to be more straightforward and less labor-intensive than using traditional wood. Here’s a breakdown of why building with composite decking materials can be easier:

1. Consistent Quality and Size

Composite deck boards are manufactured to be consistent in size and quality. This uniformity ensures that each piece fits well together, reducing the time and effort needed to sort and select materials, as you might with natural wood, which can vary in size and condition.

2. Minimal Preparation

Unlike wood, composite materials do not require staining, sealing, or painting before or after installation. This saves significant preparation and finishing time, allowing you to enjoy your deck sooner with less upfront work.

3. Easy Cutting and Installation

Composite decking can be cut and installed using the same tools as wood decking. However, since it does not split or crack as easily as wood, the installation process tends to be smoother. Additionally, many composite decking options come with grooved edges, which can accommodate hidden fastening systems, allowing for a clean, nail-free surface.

4. Low Maintenance

Once installed, composite decking requires minimal upkeep compared to wood. It does not need sanding, staining, or sealing, and it’s resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage. This ease of maintenance can significantly reduce the long-term effort and cost of keeping your deck looking great.

Things to Consider in a Composite Deck Installation

Building a deck with composite decking materials can be considered easier than building with traditional wood due to the consistency of the materials, ease of installation, and minimal maintenance required. Here are some things to consider on a composite deck board installation:

• Handling and Storage. While composite materials are durable, they can be heavier than wood and may require careful handling to avoid damage before installation. Also, like any decking material, they should be stored properly before installation to prevent bending or warping.
• Thermal Expansion. With temperature changes, composite decking materials can expand and contract more than wood. As recommended by the manufacturer, adequate spacing between boards is important to accommodate this movement.
• Cost Factor. Composite decking materials can be more expensive initially than wood. However, reduced maintenance costs and a longer lifespan can make composite decking more cost-effective in the long run.
• Working with Colors and Finishes. Composite decks come in a variety of colors and finishes, and unlike wood, the color is consistent throughout the material. This means scratches and wear may be less noticeable, but it also means you cannot change the color or finish as you could with wood.

With the right planning and consideration of the specific characteristics of composite decking materials, even novice DIYers can expect a smoother building process compared to working with traditional wood.

Are you building a composite deck? Consult with the professionals at Deck Guardian, who have over a decade of experience building stunning composite decks. Check out our showcase to view some of the incredible decks we’ve built with composite decking in and around the New Jersey area.

Materials Needed For Building a Composite Deck

When starting a composite deck project, having the right materials and tools is as important as the design itself. Here, we’ll explore the essential components required to construct a durable composite deck.

1. Composite Decking Materials

• Deck Boards: Composite deck boards are the primary material for your deck, and they are available from various manufacturers, such as TimberTech, Deckorators, and Trex. Each brand offers unique features and aesthetic options, allowing you to customize your outdoor space.
• Fasteners: You need to use the correct fasteners, which are often specific to the brand of composite decking you choose. For instance, TimberTech, Deckorators, and Trex each manufacture fasteners designed to work seamlessly with their respective deck boards. These specialized fasteners not only ensure a strong hold but also help maintain the decking’s warranty, as using non-approved fasteners can void warranty terms.

2. Fastening System

• Hidden Fasteners: These create a sleek, screw-free look on the top of the deck boards. Hidden fastener systems are designed to fit into grooves on the sides of composite deck boards, anchoring them without visible screws.
• Deck Screws: Some installations might still require face-screwing techniques, especially for perimeter boards and stairs. Using screws made specifically for composite materials will prevent damage like splitting or cracking, which can occur with standard screws.

3. Recommended Tools

• Power Drill: Essential for driving screws, a good quality power drill will make your deck installation much faster and more efficient.
• Circular Saw: This is a must-have for cutting deck boards to the required lengths. Ensure you have a blade suitable for cutting composite materials to achieve clean, precise cuts.
• Jigsaw: This tool is useful for cutting deck boards, especially if your deck design includes curves or intricate cutouts.
• Tape Measure and Level: Accuracy is key in deck building, so a reliable tape measure and a level are indispensable tools to ensure that everything is evenly spaced and perfectly horizontal or vertical.
• Safety Gear: Safety goggles, gloves, and ear protection should be used during cutting and drilling to protect against splinters, dust, and noise.

Choose the Right Composite Decking Materials Supplier

There’s a lot of composite decking material available on the market today. However, like many things in life, you get what you pay for. Opting for a reputable decking supplier like Supreme Deck Store in New Jersey is crucial to the success of your deck project.

They not only provide high-quality composite decking materials but also ensure that you have the correct fasteners and installation systems designed to work with your chosen deck boards. This compatibility is vital for both the longevity of your deck and the validity of your warranties.

Purchasing from a trusted supplier means you receive expert advice, appropriate materials, and the assurance that your deck components are engineered to work together seamlessly. This integrated approach simplifies the installation process and contributes to the overall durability and appearance of your deck.

By carefully selecting your materials and tools and choosing a reliable supplier like Supreme Deck Store, you can have peace of mind that your composite deck is built to last and will provide a beautiful, low-maintenance extension of your living space for decades.

Want to Know How to Install Composite Decking? Contact Deck Guardian

Building a composite deck offers a rewarding opportunity to enhance your outdoor living space with a durable, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing structure. Throughout this guide, we’ve explored the essential components of composite decking—from the unique benefits it brings to your home to the specific materials and tools required for a successful installation.

At Deck Guardian, we believe the key to a flawless deck lies not just in the materials but also in the precision of the installation process. For those ready to embark on this exciting project, remember that every successful deck starts with a great plan. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or considering professional installation, the right preparation will make all the difference.

If you’re looking to build a composite deck and want it done right, reach out to the experts at Deck Guardian. With over a decade of experience and a portfolio of stunning decks across New Jersey, our team is here to help you turn your decking dreams into reality.