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Does composite wood get hot in the sun?

Wood composite decks exposed to direct sunlight can easily become too hot to walk on with bare feet. Unfortunately, hot decking prevents homeowners from fully enjoying their investment and presents a safety risk for children and pets.

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Among the disadvantages of composite decking, heat retention remains at the top of the list. Wood composite decks exposed to direct sunlight can easily become too hot to walk on with bare feet. Unfortunately, hot decking prevents homeowners from fully enjoying their investment and presents a safety risk for children and pets. At WearDeck, we prioritize the needs of our customers and include our heat-reflective technology in all our products. To maximize our heat-reflective technology, we designed our Barefoot Collection decking colors that stay cool enough for bare feet in extreme heat. Read on to learn more about heat problems with wood composite decking and how our fully synthetic boards offer an ideal solution.

A Major Disadvantage of Composite Decking: Heat

Homeowners select wood composite decking to avoid the maintenance of wood and improve the longevity of their projects. Composite decking comes with a series of shortcomings including its tendency to become too hot to walk on in sunny weather. Jason Horn, a home inspector in Newtown, CT, says that “Probably the top complaint about composite decking is that it tends to get very hot in direct sunlight,” and we agree.

As a Florida-based company, we know all too well that homeowners constantly express fears and complaints about the temperature of their decking during summers in The Sunshine State. Why invest in decking that you cannot safely utilize with your family, friends, and pets all year long?

How to Keep Your Deck Cool

If you already installed new composite decking that gets too hot, you can try to mitigate the problem with quick fixes like these. Shade structures like a roof, canopy, or umbrella protect from direct sunlight and keep your decking cooler. Consider planting trees for natural shelter as a long-term solution but avoid trees that produce seeds, flowers, or fruit that may stain your decking. Pergolas and arbors can create a shaded or semi-shaded area to help alleviate the heat. Add curtains to your pergola or arbor for a sophisticated look that furthers your protection from the sun. To avoid spending money and time trying to cool down your deck, select the coolest decking material in the lightest or most heat-resistant colors.

Cool Outdoor Decking Material: WearDeck

We designed heat-reflective WearDeck as a superior alternative to wood composite and synthetic decking options. Our heat-reflective technology comes with every WearDeck decking profile and color to ensure that your deck boards stay cooler and cool down faster than boards in comparable colors from other brands. Our two newest colors, Barefoot Sand and Barefoot Grey, maximize our heat-reflective technology. They remain cool enough to walk on with bare feet in extreme heat, making them a favorite for projects in direct sun like marinas, boardwalks, and pool decks. If surface temperature falls in the list of major concerns for your project, choose from our lightest colors like White, Barefoot Sand, and Barefoot Grey. Want to feel the difference firsthand? Request free WearDeck samples, and we will ship them straight to your doorstep. We recommend placing them in the sun to feel the distinction between our colors and other decking products for yourself.

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What is cheaper wood or composite?

Durability comes at a cost, as composite decking is more expensive than wood. It could cost 15 to 20 percent more for composite material than pressure-treated pine.

You’ve decided it's time to replace your outdoor deck and you’re ready to take it on as a DIY project, or you’ve decided to work with a licensed and bonded contractor for the heavy lifting. Before you start on such a critical project, it’s important to know that decking options have grown over the last several years, bringing new choices in composite plastic and wood products from which to construct your deck. While they often cost more than wood, composite materials offer the promise of greater durability and less maintenance. Wood is still the most common choice for deck material,1 but it doesn't last forever. Composites may be more durable, but they might lack the natural look and color you are looking for. In June 2016, CBS News reported that while wood products still have a command on the market, composites are growing in popularity. Synthetic wood commands about 16 percent of the $7 billion-per-year deck market and appear to be gaining some traction.2 From cost to maintenance and durability to look, there are many things to think about as you decide between composite or wood for your next deck. Here are some pros and cons to consider before you decide which product to buy.

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