Comprehensive WPC Decking Installation Guide: A Professional’s Perspective
June 13, 2022Outdoor decks can extend your living space and increase the value of your home. More and more people are renovating their yards to leisure areas. In the past, traditional pressure-treated wood decking was the most popular choice. However, with social development and progress, WPC decking has become more and more popular for outdoor spaces. It is not only eco-friendly but also comes in many different wood grain designs, making it suitable to create any style.
So, is WPC decking worth buying?
What is WPC Decking?
Traditional wood has been widely used in the areas of building and decoration. Wood material has been an essential element for constructing a house or a courtyard outdoor area. Traditional wood, however, possesses several disadvantages, including its limited lifespan and the ease with which it decays due to mold and insects.
To solve these problems, WPC decking was created. It is manufactured by mixing recyclable plastic and wood fibers, which combine the respective advantages of the two components. Other than for outdoor decking, WPC is also widely used in automotive interiors, furniture manufacturing, and other industries.
Advantages of WPC Decking
When renovating your home, choosing high-quality materials is essential. While appearance matters, durability and ease of maintenance are equally important. WPC decking has gained popularity due to its long lifespan and low maintenance requirements.
Compared to traditional wood decking, WPC decking is more durable and resistant to mold, insects, and weather damage. Although the initial cost of WPC decking is higher, the long-term benefits make it a worthwhile investment.
Low Maintenance
Nowadays, everyone is busy and hardly has any spare time. They always work and want to spend the free time with family and friends. In such a situation, having a decking platform that requires as little maintenance as possible becomes quite vital. This is one of the most important advantages of WPC decking.
Traditional wood decking requires maintenance every two to three years, which includes inspection, repairs, staining, and sealing. Without proper care, wood decking quickly fades, molds, or rots.
WPC decking, on the other hand, requires minimal maintenance. It needs only dust sweeping and an occasional water rinse on the surface to keep it clean.
Long Service Life
If your outdoor decking is made of pressure-treated wood and you perform maintenance every two to three years, it may last ten to fifteen years or longer if properly maintained.
Except for very extreme conditions, such as fires, high-quality WPC decking might last decades. The material durability reflects itself in good warranty conditions, too, that promise longevity. For example, some leading brands of the segment, including Trex, TimberTech, and Barefoot, promise WPC decking to serve from 25 to 30 years or even more.
Safety
WPC decking does not fade, scratch, or stain, and it’s resistant to mold and warping. It neither cracks nor splinters, thus making it safe and comfortable for families with children and pets.
Besides, WPC decking is very suitable for poolside areas since its smooth and splinter-free surface ensures safety when walking barefoot.
Maintenance-Free and Easy to Clean
Because WPC decking is a manufactured product, many colors are available and it does not require painting to change its surface color. It also does not need complex maintenance. Just sweep away large particles and rinse the surface with water to keep it clean and dry.
In case of spills on the surface, such as grease or wine on WPC decking, it is immediately removable and cleansable with soapy water. You can keep the decking intact without the worry of leaving permanent stains that would have occurred on wood decking.
Slip-Resistant and Durable
It is the best option if you reside in coastal areas or areas receiving heavy rainfall, or during winter mornings when one has to be keen not to slip on the decking. For example, with traditional wood decking, you would have to fix anti-slip strips or observe other anti-slip measures to avoid accidents.
Most WPC decking has an intrinsically slip-resistant textured surface, either in the form of a simulated wood grain or grooves to provide traction without requiring additional safety provisions.
Wide Color and Style Options
Being a fabricated material, composite decking comes with a wide range of styles and colors that natural woods cannot offer. Whether your house boasts a modern style or a traditional one, a WPC variety will be available in the market, and even personalized options can also be made.
Unlike wood, WPC decking requires no painting or staining and retains its color outdoors for many years without fading.
Disadvantages of WPC Decking
While WPC decking has numerous advantages, it is not without its disadvantages.
Higher Initial Cost
Cost is one of the major factors in choosing decking materials. WPC decking is more expensive than pressure-treated wood decking. However, considering the long-term savings on maintenance, WPC decking can be more cost-effective over time.
Cannot Be Painted or Stained
WPC decking is highly resistant to fading and staining. While this is an advantage, it also means you cannot change its color by painting or staining it.
Is WPC Decking Worth Buying?
Yes, WPC decking is worth it. Though it costs more upfront than traditional wood decking, the labor of installation is just the same. Besides, with wood decking, there is the needed maintenance-staining and sealing-which adds up to the cost in the long run.
Compared with this, the maintenance for WPC decking is the barest minimum since it doesn’t rot, crack, or warp. Eventually, maintenance over a number of years will outweigh the upfront cost difference of using wood decking against WPC decking.