THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Composite Wood & Sapwood

If you look at the end of a log, you will notice there is always a lighter ring surrounding a darker inner ring. Sometimes this distinction is obvious, and other times it's hard to distinguish the difference. The outer light ring is called the "sapwood", and this ring contains a tree's living cells. All wood starts as sapwood. As a tree ages, its cells die and it becomes inactive and non-functional. This is the darker, inner core of the tree and is called the "composite wood".

Sapwood

The sapwood is the younger, softer outer portion of a tree that lies between the composite wood and the cambium (formative layer just under the bark). As comparatively new wood, sapwood is less durable and more permeable than composite wood.

While Deck purely of sapwood may be beautiful and smoother than composite wood, the softness and permeability of the sapwood make it expand and contract easily, which can cause it to warp in certain conditions. This weakness manifests differently in various tree species. Some species have sapwood that is strong and durable. Others have weak, soft sapwood that is not appropriate for wood Decks.

Many times, sapwood is graded higher than composite wood because it is smoother and less prone to knots and blemishes. The highest-grade sapwood is virtually free of any imperfections. Coloration of sapwood ranges from white to light yellow tones.

What this Means for Your Composite Wood Deck

While many people choose either sapwood or composite wood, a very popular type of Composite Wood Decking comes from a mix of the two. The color differences between the two are less marked in some tree species, and more striking in others, like cherry, walnut, and hickory.

The mix may be graded. Grading assigns the wood a value, and this affects the price-- the higher the grade, the more expensive the wood. The grade depends on the different species' value of composite wood and sapwood, and the amount of composite wood or sapwood in the wood. For example, different woods can be ordered and graded as no sapwood or no composite wood or mixed (composite wood and sapwood).

Staining and finishing a wood deck may be affected by the amounts of sapwood or composite wood in the deck because they accept and absorb stains and finishes differently.

Before deciding on a deck of composite wood, sapwood, or both, research different species of trees and their pros and cons, find out how a grade is assigned to the wood, and consult a knowledgeable wood deck installer. Armed with this information, you can buy the perfect deck safe and secure in the knowledge that it is exactly what you want.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: AWARD Composite Wood Decking

Do you want a beautiful composite wood deck, but aren't sure if your traffic levels or maintenance capacity would make it possible? Then take a look at award decking's composite wood products.

Composite wood decking is much less of a maintenance and upkeep challenge than you might think. You have a vision for your new deck, and if your heart is set on composite wood, then don't let preconceptions be an obstacle for you. Read on to find out a bit more about award's durable and gorgeous composite wood products.

First, Award Composite woods have a little something special in their recipe. Most composite wood manufacturers use an aluminum oxide finish on their products. This is a fine, durable coating, but compares it to award's Wearmax® Plus advanced ceramic finish, and the choice is clear. Ceramic coatings are specially designed to resist scratching and denting and enable a deck to take some abuse without looking tired and worn as quickly as other decks might.Price Of Composite Decking.

The coating also makes your deck stains and slip-resistant. So if you know that your deck is going to take a beating to one degree or another, then definitely place award's composite woods as your forerunner in deciding on product for your new deck.

And what about maintenance? Again, with Award's high-octane finish, you're one step ahead in the maintenance race. You just don't have to worry as much. Now, you certainly want to take normal precautions in protecting your deck—because it's still wood.

1.You'll want to use door mats at the threshold of any doors that open to the outside to catch those tiny rocks that embed in shoe soles.

2.You don't want to walk over the deck with damaged or spiked heels.

3.Make sure if you need to move furniture that you protect the deck with casters or use dollies or good old fashioned lift so the feet don't scrape across your deck.Outdoor Flooring.

4.Never use pools of water or abrasive cleaners to clean your deck.

5.Your deck really does take care of itself when kept sweeping and tidy.

Now to the fun part—picking the color and style for your deck. And award definitely doesn't let you down there either. Award offers six collections ranging from traditional hickories and oaks to mahogany and cherry as well as varying textures, colors, and styles. There's sure to be several you'll love…the tricky thing will be deciding on just one.Cheap Fence Panels.

The main advantage of composite decking over wood is its durability. Because the composite is chiefly made up of synthetic material, it is not susceptible to damage from termites and will not be rot from exposure to moisture. Composite decking plus does not crack or splinter like traditional wood. However, staining and scratching can be a problem when using composite decking. Depending on the color of the composite decking, it may become faded after prolonged exposure to the sun.

Why Use Floating decking

A floating deck will be basically a composite wood deck that is installed by gluing the deck planks together as an alternative to glue or stapling them to the deck itself. Since a floating deck doesn't need a unique kind of subject to install to, it frees you up to install wood decking in areas where they previously weren't a possibility. You are able to install them over vinyl or ceramic decking, or areas of high humidity where traditional composite wood decks have a tendency to warp and crack. If you're looking for the complete look of composite wood decks without the installation challenges and limitations, then a floating composite wood deck will be everything that you've been searching for.

Another advantage of a recycled decking Material is usually that, given that they are glued together as an alternative to the subject, they usually are placed in a bevy of areas where customary composite wood decks weren't a solution. First off, they are often installed over the top of other decking choices (everything with the exception of carpet), saving you time and trouble of tearing out your original decking before installing your floating wood deck. And because they're glued or clicked together, instead of fastened to your deck itself, the entire deck expands united rather than as individual planks. This simply means they may be installed in areas of high humidity (i.e. basements) where composite wood decking heretofore wasn't allowed.

Why Use Floating decking

A floating wood deck will be placed in an almost identical way as a laminate or engineered wood deck. Made out of a core layer of plywood or Cheap Decking Materials, with layers of composite wood veneer as the "wear and tear" (or top) layer. These plans are designed in tongue and groove style and are usually glued together as you put them to use over the layer of foam padding. If that sounds too challenging to suit your needs, new kinds of floating wood deck are actually being manufactured that happen to be "clueless," which enable it to be clicked together upon installation. To make a lengthy story short, a floating composite wood deck combines the simple installation of laminate decking using the stylish looks of composite wood decking. That's a combination that's tough to beat.

A Few Items to consider When Inserting a Floating deck

While these decks possess tremendous upside, here is a few things to be aware of to ensure that your new deck won't disappoint you during the years to come. First, fight the temptation going cheap and don't purchase cut-rate decking. Cheaper the decking the cheaper the wear layer, and the cheaper the wear layer, the shorter your original deck's lifespan is going to be. Spending a little bit more for the thicker wear layer will be worth every penny if you're considering increasing the life span of your recent Composite Outdoor Patio Decking. Also, understand that one of the manymany important things about these decks can be their downfall. Be sure to leave room for expansion after you install your decking. Any time you cut your original deck to fit, the complete surface will be almost certain to buckle and heave soon enough. By leaving a tiny space between your decking as well as walls, thereafter covering that space with baseboard or other trim, you can rest easy knowing your floating deck can last you for a long time