Heat: Composite decking is made from plastic, and plastic can get hot in the sun. Popular varieties of beautiful h Choosing a lighter hue in these materials can make a huge difference to how they feel in the summertime. The newer technologies come in a multitude of colors, grain patterns and thicknesses. You could try some indoor/outdoor carpet. Wood composite decking products, as with most outdoor building products, can retain heat—especially after a long day in direct sunlight. Each composite decking brand offers a variety of colours, shades and patterns in various widths and lengths. Timbertech and Trex are two of the most popular composite decking companies in the decking industry. Composite decking is 3 times the cost of 5/4 PT decking. Hot surface: Probably the top complaint about composite decking … With composite decking, you don’t have to worry about this problem. Lighter colored boards tend to be slightly cooler than darker composite boards. Thank you! With the rise in popularity of composite and capped composite decking which offer a low-maintenance lifestyle, this is something to consider when making your product selections. Regular 2x6 PT lumber is the cheapest. 4 Answers. You can melt composite decking under the right set of circumstances. In hot, sunny areas, plastic decks can get very hot on the soles of the feet and actually radiate heat, making them uncomfortable. Reply. Is there anything I can lay overtop of this material to help keep it cooler out there. The temperature of your deck in the hot sun is only one factor to consider while picking out a quality decking material or stain, but can be an important factor depending on the location. Here are few reasons why composite decking is delivering a terrific combination of value and performance for homeowners considering adding a pool to their outdoor living space. The main concern for owners who are thinking about adding some composite decking to their homes is the risk of injury for their pets. it looks "wavy". It sits in the direct sunlight. DustinDawind . walking across burning coats is hot. 1 marked as helpful. Examine the possible issues with this composite decking to determine if it is the proper solution on a case-by-case basis. Also, it does stain, no matter what people tell you. Even with the addition of plastic, composite decking should be properly cared for in the winter months to keep it looking great for many years to come. Composite decks tend to be scratch resistant, not scratch proof, meaning if Fido tears across the deck after a squirrel, there’s a good chance he will leave a trail of destruction. Ultimately, how hot decking feels is a function of both its surface temperature and its thermal conductivity. Answer Save. Trex decking does not typically get hotter than pressure-treated wood, although on a hot day with a blazing sun, nearly any surface will get uncomfortably hot. the sunlight also accelerates some of the problems associated with the natural response of the wood fibers to fluctuating weather conditions. There are some really great composites out that that are actually made of wood and environmentally friendly. It is a mixture of wood fibers and resins. Dirt clings to composite decking more so than wood and it stands out a lot more too. However, in recent years Trex decking has battled lawsuits concerning issues with the decking. Owners want a dog friendly deck, and composite decking is just that, pet friendly, here’s why. Does composite decking get too hot? We install a lot of composite decking as well as hardwood, cedar, and to a lesser degree, PVC. I have come across many customers who told me other contractors told them that it gets too hot, these are usually contractors who prefer a different type of decking of course. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads. Composite decking has too much flex - particularly the thinner varieties - to accommodate wider spacing. A composite deck in full sun can quickly become too hot to walk on, and children and pets can suffer burns. From our partners at realtor.com The best flooring for dogs and other four-legged friends is, among other things, durable. the surfaces of the decking boards can mottle and splinter, and the edges can peel. it gets very hot, costs a fortune, scratches easily, and shows the slightest imperfections in the deck framing ie. These products are a great investment for any home or commercial pool space. Is composite decking safe for dogs? If you’ve ever worn black clothing on a hot day, you probably know firsthand that it absorbs more heat compared to a white t-shirt. Fortunately, you can reduce the risk of too-hot decking by choosing a … My measurements do not address “thermal conductivity”. A common question that comes up is whether or not composite gets too hot in the summer to walk barefoot on. Consider that dog urine can affect the composite decking in some way. Now the deck is WAY too hot for me or my dog to go out on. yes, the decking will get hotter that wood, but what is too hot? Does Composite decking get HOT? Temperature stable pool decking is one excellent solution to a surface that gets too hot in the summer sun. 4. PVC decking is crafted of only plastic, making it too susceptible for breaking in extreme temperatures. Some issues with composite decking! Most of the WPC decking has moisture-proof properties. 1 decade ago. Anyone have any experience with composite decking in hot/sunny areas and can comment on how hot the stuff gets? One great way to avoid the hot-foot hustle dance without compromising on your deck’s surface appearance is to use composite decking with innovative cooling technology. Temperature stable flooring is specifically made so that it doesn't get uncomfortably hot (or cold) underfoot. If you want composite decking that will stay cooler, start with lighter colors because they will absorb less heat. Composite decking cuts and handles like wood, easy to install. And it gets very hot in the sun. on Apr 5, 2019 . This durable and low-maintenance composite material does not crack and rot and does not need paint after long-term use. That’s just a fact. Cleaning complaints are fairly common problems with Trex decking that are actually an issue with all types of composite decking. I have composite on a small deck. It burns my bare feet and makes it unbearable to just stand out there because the air is so hot out there. Beat the Heat. Favorite Answer. Hot surface: Probably the top complaint about composite decking is that it tends to get very hot in direct sunlight. With vinyl decking, not only do you have a textured, durable surface that is comfortable for paws of all sizes, but you also have an incredibly easy to clean deck as well. While they may not have a high heat conductivity, you shouldn’t rule out traditional wood decking or composite decking for your backyard deck. Timbertech composite deck, hot sun, dog paws and shade (pool, stain, price) User Name: Remember Me: Password Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! The stuff they sell at the Depot looks as cheap as it is. But even in these conditions, all of the decking materials we tested were over 100 degrees in temperature when left all day in the full sun. While different decking materials do show some variation in how hot they get, the primary factor that determines heat retention is colour. If your going with composite decking rather than wood, even though it’s a maintenance free product, it still needs constant cleaning to look it’s best. If it's to hot for your bare feet, it's to hot for your dogs feet, too. Some forums can only be seen by registered members. Here in Michigan, it doesn't get as hot as Arizona, but last summer my grandson was running around barefoot and even sitting on the deck later in the afternoon on a 95 degree day. We spent several years developing a solution, and introduced our CoolDeck technology in several of our decking product lines in 2017. Composite decking can be pretty pricey. If you accidentally spill hot cooking grease on your composite decking, then there is an excellent chance that the plastic in this product will melt. These are: – Brown (ex. In general, the darker the decking material or the finish, the hotter it will get and that’s true for composite and timber decking materials. The color of the decking choice and the density of the product also make a big difference in surface heat. I live in Arizona - obviously, burning More focused on improving the anti-slip performance. I'm planning a deck around a pool and trying to decide on decking too. Composite decking, unlike traditional timber decking, will not rot and splinter. My WeatherBest Deck is the lighter color. Our market research showed that people love the beauty and durability of modern composites, but their number one complaint is composite decking getting too hot in the summer. Construction techniques differ for composite decking compared to traditional wood decking, as composite boards are installed on a pressure-treated lumber sub-structure for a new deck or replacement. Composite decking is really the better choice for most people. The accounts of issues are repeated with a frightening regularity and sameness throughout the threads of complaints. There are a multitude of problems with composite decking that show up all too often to be just a stray issue for a hard to please homeowner. That sounds like a term from physics. Keeping Your Composite Decking Protected from Snow and Ice. Composite decking material uses a combination of plastic and wood fibers. Shore grandmom. Look into Geolam or Resysta if you go that route. Many homeowners, after investing in a luxurious designer deck, are surprised to learn that in the direct sun, composite decking can get so hot it is unpleasant to sit there and impossible to walk on with bare feet. Both of these companies produce high-quality decking products. Below are some of the issues that crop up most often. Relevance. Composite Trex decking, made of a combination of plastic and sawdust, is considered one of the top composite decking alternatives available. You won’t want to grill on this deck either for the same reason. At TimberTech, we have taken steps to minimize heat build-up with certain formulations of our product. Tan, oak, cedar, hickory) – Reddish-brown (ex. Still, for a virtually maintenance-free deck, plastic decking may be the answer. Ash, slate, charcoal) Odds are, you already have a color family in mind for your deck. We have done a lot of high end houses in my firm and the majority of them use the composite decking or Ipe (which is super expensive and gets really hot!) For many of the same reasons that people are installing hot tubs on their new composite decks, pool installers are now also recommending their clients consider composite decking around their pools, too. We often get asked what is the coolest decking in our low-maintenance options. Pearl, cream) – Grey (ex. Mold. To truly find out what is too hot to handle when it comes to your new deck, we highly recommend taking a few test boards home during the hotter days and figuring out what material doesn't get too hot. When choosing a composite, take home samples in various colors and set them out in the direct sun to see how much heat they absorb. Mahogany, redwood, walnut) – White (ex. Final thoughts. Traditional composite decking colors can be separated into four basic groups. | Newtown, CT Patch 11 Oct 2013 I know wood decking can fade too, but you can re-stain wood. Composite decking lasts longer, there’s no sanding or staining involved, and they’re much more durable. Want composite decking that are actually an issue with all types of decking. Decking materials do show some variation in how hot they get, primary... It is the coolest decking in hot/sunny areas and can comment on how hot decking is. In several of our product imperfections in the summer to walk on, and plastic can hot... 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