Installing Decking For A Floating Deck

UltraShield® composite decking has a layer of protection that keeps the core of your decking boards safe from mold or mildew, which can break traditional decks down over time. With our fully capped composite decking, you never have to worry about the integrity of your boards. Composite wood is made of a combination of wood fibers and high-density recycled polyethylene plastic materials. NewTechWood then finishes each composite decking board or tile with a strong polymer protective coating. Because of this, composite decking is stronger and more durable than wood or plastic alone. It is the ideal decking choice for anyone who wants longevity and minimal upkeep or repair after a harsh winter season. Well, it might be more accurate to say that it “was” hard to install, but now things are quite different.

Edge-fastening looks good because the screws are hidden, but face-fastening is faster, stronger, and easier to fix. When face-fastening, use screws designed only for composites. This decking bubbles up around standard bugle-head deck screws . Since 2004, NewTechWood has been a pioneer in the creation and improvement of composite decking boards, deck tiles, siding, deck railing, accessories and more. We are so sure you will love the NewTechWood UltraShield® advantage, that we offer a 25-year limited transferable warranty —one of the most comprehensive warranties in the decking industry. Plan the pattern or design you want to achieve with your composite decking. If using multiple colors or finishes, consider drawing a detailed design on paper, so you can consult it throughout the installation process.

• UltraShield® composite decking has a layer of protection that keeps the core of your decking boards safe from mold or mildew, which can break traditional decks down over time.
• Using high-quality recycled plastic materials in all our composite decking boards, tiles, railing, siding, bird feeders, deck fasteners, planter boxes and more.
• To find out more about Infinity composite decking, fill out Fortress' contact us form.
• It’s just one example of the thoughtful engineering that Fortress Building Products puts into its whole line, from decks to railings to fences.

Facts About Composite Decking

So, when it comes time to resurfacing or replacing an existing deck with composite decking, keep in mind that some additional framing may be necessary. The good news for homeowners is that unlike most composites, DuraLife'shardwood composite decking products can be installed between 20”O.C. Another joist protection option is to install composite decking with the Step-Clip hidden-fastening system. Step-Clip offers the dual benefit of moisture repellency and speedier installation.

Composite Decking: Does It Really Stack Up?

Can You Install New Decking Over Old Deck Boards?

What they forget to tell you is that the wood flour itself is a food source for mold. So, if it is not protected, or the protection wears off, your composite deck becomes a giant smorgasbord for many species of mold and mildew no matter how clean you keep it. A wood deck gets hot enough so that walking barefoot is mildly uncomfortable. All composites and plastics get hotter than wood – some get hotter than concrete. Dense materials retain more heat and get hotter than less dense materials.

Compared with wood, which requires cleaning and regular staining and/or sealing, composite boards make for a “build and chill” project. Hands down, easy care is the biggest plus for this material. As part of their manufacture, composite deck boards are treated with preservatives that help ward off rot, mold, and mildew. Planks are dyed in a host of a colors and imprinted with a range of textures, most of which convincingly resemble genuine wood grain.

Grooved decking requires less mix to create a board. And, even though the savings per board is small, it adds up quickly over thousands of boards produced. Although some capstock and plastic deck manufacturersNote 1 insist that their products do not fade, the empirical evidence is to the contrary.

If installing composite decking over a pre-existing porch, make sure all joists and substructure components are structurally sound and spaced according to our installation guide. A few decades ago, this may have been a fair assessment. Composite decks didn’t look exactly like plastic but neither did they look much like wood.

A Lifetime Deck?

Compression molding takes the combined molten materials and places them on a wood grain mold and then compresses them under extreme heat and pressure which creates a physical bond. For some composite decking companies, all water and leftover ingredients are recaptured and recycled in the manufacturing process. For this project, we’re using composite decking rather than treated wood decking boards. Composite boards are a low-maintenance alternative to wood decking. They have the appearance of wood but are made with recycled material.

At Fiberon we usePermaTech Innovationto ensure the ultimate deck consumer, satisfaction in scratch, element, and stain resistance. Because you cannot sand composite decking, deep scratches are destined to remain in the boards, though over time, they may becomes less and less pronounced.

The Best Decking For Winter Weather

Fortress’ Infinity line of deck composite is also backed by a 25-year warranty. This solid engineering extends to Fortress’ other products, so if you’re looking to revitalize your deck, you can also revitalize your whole yard. Wood can be replaced with composite boards on a one-to-one basis, and when properly installed will last against the elements. He may actually decide it’s easier to use them for a new deck than to keep letting me trip over them. Installing decking over old decking will drastically reduce the lifespan of the material. The joints between two materials will readily trap water in wet environments. This contact area should be limited only to the top of the joists, leaving most of the decking exposed on both sides.

The quicker water dries, the less time it has to refreeze. Locate a flat surfaceon which you want to install your deck.