Composite Decking vs. Hardwood Decking

When building a deck, you have numerous options; Composite, ipe, and many others all vie for your attention. While there are so many deck materials to choose from, we pretty much all want our deck to be able to maintain high standards and characteristics. You have many choices to compare between the different types of wood from hardwoods, from domestics to exotics, compared to Composite, a woven material.

Although there are many hardwoods to choose from, the one I feel is worthy checking out is Tigerwood. Originating from Brazil, this material is one of the finest quality hardwoods for decking. It well-known for outstanding benefits and its totally unique look. Deck owners who have installed Tigerwood enjoy a deck with natural properties that make it tough and long lasting thanks to its high density and tight grain. Natural oils in the wood give you excellent resistance against decay, mold, and insects. It holds up under extreme traffic and heavy use, and is very resistant to scratches and slivers.

Tigerwood, like most hardwoods, has a class A flame spread rating, which is the same rating as concrete and steel. This is beneficial because if a tiki torch, or piece of charcoal spills onto your deck, the flame won spread as fast as a softer wood. It has a natural rich brown color, with some red and amber hues. It has been known to last up to 50+ years without preservatives. It stands up to harsh climates with minimal maintenance.

Another choice for decking is Composite. It a fast-growing grass, not a wood. Composite is marketed as extremely tough, but unbeknownst to most people, it is typically harvested every few months. It if it less then five years old, Composite is not strong enough to be considered a strong lasting product. This material is woven together, cut, bleached, carbonized, and dried for preservation to remove sugars as well as insects. The strips are glued together and assembled under high pressure. Then molded and baked together to make it a solid piece. It has a life span of about 10 years with a decent resistant to damage by insects. It is a semi-stable product, but it is often noisy because it such a hard surface, it reflects sound, rather then absorbing it.

Beware of the toxic adhesive glues that are commonly used with the majority of Chinese made Composite (Specifically the chemical formaldehyde). Urea formaldehyde in Composite is a common problem due to out-gassing. In addition, the glue used to make Composite makes it more prone to peeling and curling. It also common to absorb sunlight. If planning to use for an outdoor decking, weight your options. Composite should be kept dry and avoid water to prevent swelling and twisting.

There are many different factors to consider when choosing the right decking materials. Hopefully, this information comparing the Tigerwood species of hardwood and Composite decking has proved useful.