Worn Deck Board? Consider replacing with composite deck boards for longer life

If you’re life many homeowners, you may not be familiar with composite decking materials. Or maybe you remember the first generation of composite decking which was heavier than wood, expensive and slippery when wet. Well the good news is that composite decking materials have come along way since their first introduction into the marketplace. Maybe it is time to take another look! New generation composite decking has many advantages that I’d like to layout in this article.

• Slip-resistant: first generation composite deck boards were often slippery when wet, however newer generation boards include a rubber-like resin coating that makes then slip-resistant which makes them great to use as pool decking or simply a safe choice for rainy or snowy days.
• UV-resistance: the same resin coating that makes composite deck boards slip resistant also provides UV light resistances which helps prevent fading much better than traditional wooden boards.
• Scratch-resistance: the make-up of composite decking materials is what makes them so scratch resistant. Composite materials are made from an even blend of organic material like wood or bamboo and plastics. Composite decking building material comes is a variety of colors that is already mixed into the material and does not need to be stained. When scratches happen on stained wooden deck boards the scratch breaks through the stain layer and become very noticeable and can even cause further weather or water damage to the board leading to rot. Scratches are much less noticeable on composite deck boards and can even be quickly repaired if needed with a heat gun.
• Moisture-resistant: composite deck boards are much more dense than wood boards thanks to their rubber-like resin coating which also provides a moisture barrier. As you can tell, there are many favorable factors that make composite decking a great choice for homeowners who are looking into building a new deck or replacing an existing deck. Another ‘hybrid’ option for homeowners with an existing deck is to only replace deck boards with composite materials over the current wooden substructure. This option allows homeowners to save money and also upgrade and repair their deck for many more years of usage. If you are considering this option, read on for some great tips and advice.

 
The good news is that most deck substructures, which consist of posts, horizontal beams and joists are often structurally sound and can adequately support newer generation composite deck boards.
 
If you are considering replacing worn and weathered wooden deck boards with composite decking you will need to examine your substructure and look for the following:

• Posts should be at least 4x4s in order to provide the necessary support for composite deck boards. Keep in mind that dimensional lumber is half of an inch smaller than the numbers they are called by so a 4×4 post’s actual dimensions are 3½ by 3½ inches.
• Joists should be at a right angle to the deck boards above, and should be spaced 16 inches from their centerlines. The centerline is usually the middle of a joist’s narrow side.
• Fasteners should be structurally sound and holding joists and posts well with no give and that they have not worked loose due to expansion and contraction. A small amount of corrosion on bolts, nail heads, and washers is normal, but excessive corrosion can damage the fastener. Corrosion damage to hardware can become problematic when installing composite deck boards because they tend to be heavier than wood deck boards.

Most deck substructures are built with pressure- treated lumber, however steel is also occasionally used, especially in newer outdoor decks. Steel substructures tend to be much stronger and last longer than wooden substructures because they are not subject to water-damage and rot. If your deck is built onto a steel substructure you can be confident that it will adequately support the weight of replacement composite deck boards.

Tying It All Together
If you determine that your wooden deck substructure is sound and decide to replace wood deck boards with composite decking you may be concerned with creating a cohesive look. Deck posts on the perimeter of the deck are also used as the posts for deck railings. So, while the post may be structurally sound it won’t match the composite decking board creating a mis-matched look that many homeowners do not find attractive. Instead of tearing down a structurally sound substructure, many homeowners are happy to learn that some composite deck manufacturers also make composite fascia boards and post sleeves, stair treads and risers that can be fastened to the wood substructure to create a beautiful and cohesive look.
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Replacing your wood deck boards with a composite deck surface is a time and cost efficient way to bring a worn and weather damaged wood deck back to life so that you and your family can continue to enjoy it for many years into the future!