Answer Save. 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. Keeping Your Composite Decking Protected from Snow and Ice. 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! Composite decking lasts longer, there’s no sanding or staining involved, and they’re much more durable. While different decking materials do show some variation in how hot they get, the primary factor that determines heat retention is colour. 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. Hot surface: Probably the top complaint about composite decking … There are some really great composites out that that are actually made of wood and environmentally friendly. Below are some of the issues that crop up most often. Is composite decking safe for dogs? Composite decking, unlike traditional timber decking, will not rot and splinter. 4 Answers. 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. 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. Mold. Wood composite decking products, as with most outdoor building products, can retain heat—especially after a long day in direct sunlight. These products are a great investment for any home or commercial pool space. Owners want a dog friendly deck, and composite decking is just that, pet friendly, here’s why. 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. it looks "wavy". 4. It sits in the direct sunlight. Dirt clings to composite decking more so than wood and it stands out a lot more too. That’s just a fact. These are: – Brown (ex. Also, it does stain, no matter what people tell you. Look into Geolam or Resysta if you go that route. Timbertech and Trex are two of the most popular composite decking companies in the decking industry. Pearl, cream) – Grey (ex. Relevance. Fortunately, you can reduce the risk of too-hot decking by choosing a … I have composite on a small deck. Composite Trex decking, made of a combination of plastic and sawdust, is considered one of the top composite decking alternatives available. walking across burning coats is hot. Ultimately, how hot decking feels is a function of both its surface temperature and its thermal conductivity. Regular 2x6 PT lumber is the cheapest. With composite decking, you don’t have to worry about this problem. Final thoughts. 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. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads. That sounds like a term from physics. You could try some indoor/outdoor carpet. Composite decking is really the better choice for most people. In hot, sunny areas, plastic decks can get very hot on the soles of the feet and actually radiate heat, making them uncomfortable. Beat the Heat. 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. And it gets very hot in the sun. Does composite decking get too hot? It burns my bare feet and makes it unbearable to just stand out there because the air is so hot out there. 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. the sunlight also accelerates some of the problems associated with the natural response of the wood fibers to fluctuating weather conditions. A composite deck in full sun can quickly become too hot to walk on, and children and pets can suffer burns. Traditional composite decking colors can be separated into four basic groups. yes, the decking will get hotter that wood, but what is too hot? Consider that dog urine can affect the composite decking in some way. Composite decking material uses a combination of plastic and wood fibers. Some forums can only be seen by registered members. Most of the WPC decking has moisture-proof properties. Cleaning complaints are fairly common problems with Trex decking that are actually an issue with all types of composite decking. From our partners at realtor.com The best flooring for dogs and other four-legged friends is, among other things, durable. 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. The stuff they sell at the Depot looks as cheap as it is. Mahogany, redwood, walnut) – White (ex. I live in Arizona - obviously, burning 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. Shore grandmom. We install a lot of composite decking as well as hardwood, cedar, and to a lesser degree, PVC. on Apr 5, 2019 . It is a mixture of wood fibers and resins. 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. Reply. You can melt composite decking under the right set of circumstances. The newer technologies come in a multitude of colors, grain patterns and thicknesses. Hot surface: Probably the top complaint about composite decking is that it tends to get very hot in direct sunlight. My measurements do not address “thermal conductivity”. Heat: Composite decking is made from plastic, and plastic can get hot in the sun. A common question that comes up is whether or not composite gets too hot in the summer to walk barefoot on. Temperature stable pool decking is one excellent solution to a surface that gets too hot in the summer sun. 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. 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. DustinDawind . 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. it gets very hot, costs a fortune, scratches easily, and shows the slightest imperfections in the deck framing ie. Tan, oak, cedar, hickory) – Reddish-brown (ex. You won’t want to grill on this deck either for the same reason. Some issues with composite decking! Anyone have any experience with composite decking in hot/sunny areas and can comment on how hot the stuff gets? Is there anything I can lay overtop of this material to help keep it cooler out there. My WeatherBest Deck is the lighter color. More focused on improving the anti-slip performance. Composite decking can be pretty pricey. Composite decking is 3 times the cost of 5/4 PT decking. 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. Each composite decking brand offers a variety of colours, shades and patterns in various widths and lengths. Popular varieties of beautiful h 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. We spent several years developing a solution, and introduced our CoolDeck technology in several of our decking product lines in 2017. The color of the decking choice and the density of the product also make a big difference in surface heat. 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. 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