Consider Composite Decking
The warmer months make us all want to spend more time outside with family and friends. If you are looking to build a new deck this Spring, Cardinal Home Center offers a variety of pressure-treated lumber that is perfect for deck-building. BUT, if you are hoping for extra sustainable, lower maintenance composite decking, we also carry and can special order several composite decking brands. Composite decking does not require as much maintenance as compared to pressure-treated lumber. Still, it has the appearance of woods like fresh-cut cedar and Brazilian walnut. This decking is typically made of equal parts of fiber from waste wood and recycled plastic. This article has great information for those who consider composite decking over pressure treated lumber.
PVC Composite Versus Wood
PVC decking and wood composite decking have a few similarities. Both of these product types are cost-effective and requires low maintenance after it is installed. They provide a durable, moisture and insect-resistant surface.
With traditional composite decking, you typically get a more authentic appearance, and the surface is more slip-resistant. It is also less prone to warp due to temperature changes over time. However, PVC decking is made of 100% recycled material and provides better mold resistance. It is also a lighter-weight material and does not get permanently stained from spills.
Composite Decking At Cardinal Home Center
Trex Decking
Trex offers wood composite decking. The material will not rot and stands the test of time. Trex Select is a builder-grade board that has a low price point. This board features a solid profile and is available in five colors with a standard grain. It may not be as scratch-resistant compared to other lines. Trex Enhance has a low price point with a scalloped profile on the bottom and comes in four colors with a 25-year warranty. Trex Enhance Basics is very similar to the Trex Enhance but is a solid color with a scalloped profile. This product is priced the lowest and comes with a 25-year limited residential and fade & stain warranties. Trex Transcends is their bread and butter: it has a deeper wood grain and is more slip-resistant. Available in 8 colors, this is the most scratch resistance. On a technical note, the joists for all of Trex decking can be up to 16” on center. Trex decking is not capped at the bottom but is on the top and sides.
TimberTech and Azek
Timber Tech offers PVC and wood composite decking, with the option of special ordering railing. Most Timber-Tech boards are fully encapsulated, but they do provide some colors that are three-quarters encapsulated. Additionally, their material cools down quickly during the summer months, allowing you to use them year-round comfortably. Their PVC composite product offerings provide three different lines: Vintage, which is rich, sophisticated, and stylish; Arbor, providing an elegant, earthy, and trendy tone; and Harvest, having a warm and natural look. TimberTech’s products offer superior moisture resistance, coverage in grooves, and resists fade in wood composites. They also offer three different lines: Legacy, offering a bold, dramatic, and unique design with a hand-scraped finish; Reserve, with an authentic and reclaimed appearance with a wire-brushed finish; and Terrain, with a traditional cathedral wood grain finish.
Fiberon
Fiberon also offers PVC and wood composite decking, with some displays in our Crozet location. They offer two lines of PVC decking. The Promenade line offers high-end, hand-crafted wood decking with grooved- and square-edge boards. They feature a slip-resistant texture, perfect for docks, and a solid core construction that prevents splinters and mold. The Paramount Line is ideal for back decks, is lightweight and somewhat slip-resistant, and resists moisture and mold. This decking is easy to handle and suits a busy lifestyle. For their wood composites, Fiberon offers four lines available from Cardinal Home Center: Concordia, a flat-profile bottom with a finished surface on top and bottom, ideal for second-story decks. Sanctuary has a three-profile cap layer to resist fading, with a flat profile on the bottom to provide a sturdy feel. This wood is resistant to splinter, rotting, cracking, insects, and decay. Good Life offers unbeatable performance and durability with an authentic wood look and distinct grain patterns. This product has low maintenance and is easy to clean, and has a grooved edge bottom.
Wolf Decking
Wolf decking is moisture, mold, and mildew-resistant and offers a solid and durable build. They provide numerous style options and long-lasting beauty with the least amount of care. Wolf offers two lines: Perspective, a composite material, and Serenity, a PVC decking. Perspective, with a 25-year limited warranty, provides five rich colors that appear like stained hardwoods. This line offers solid and grooved boards that hide hidden fasteners and is made from 94% recycled content. The line comes in 5 unique colors. Serenity gives an authentic feel and texture of wood and is easy to install using traditional and hidden fastening systems. One distinguishing feature is its ASA ColorWatch100 Technology, which blocks harmful UV rays to promote color retention. Their Tropical Hardwoods collection is available in 9 colors, while their Seaside Decking collection is available in 2 colors.
Ready to get started?
Our showrooms in Madison and Crozet offer various styles and displays, and our sales team can walk you through the best options for your outdoor space. We also have a limited selection of Trex available for view at our Charlottesville location. These stores feature deck samples so you can get a better sense of the material. Although most of our composite decking is only available by special order, we will keep you informed throughout the process and work to ensure a quick delivery.
For more information, you can check out our composite decking page, fill out a lumber quote, or call our Madison or Crozet stores at 800-844-9234.
