Composite roofing is made up of a mixture of man-made materials. It consists of a plastic and organic filler, requires no dye or paint, and is ready to install at the purchase time. Composite building materials need little maintenance and will generally last as long as regular wood. Not to mention, composite covers will not warp and are guaranteed to look good for quite some time. In the past, composite materials had a bad rap. The technology was not yet available to make composites approach the quality of wood. Today, composite decks have come a long way and are among the most popular materials to use as decking and widely used by deck builders pros.
Benefits of the composite platform
One of the main advantages of the installation of composite decks is the low maintenance to deck builders it entails. Unlike wooden decks, there is no need to stain or paint the composite surface. The natural wood deck also requires cleaning, which can be difficult given the material and location the deck is in. The composite deck just needs a quick rag and hosing down every now and then, and it should be fine for years.
Other composite benefits to consider:
- Natural Materials – Many composite deck supplies use natural materials such as bamboo. This can help mitigate deforestation.
- Eco-Friendly – Composites companies often make their materials using recycled products.
- Attractive – Composite deck never looked better. Similar to wood, the materials are almost identical to natural wood from afar.
- Protected from the elements – Composite wood decking is reasonably protected from environmental conditions and will not rot or split in unpredictable weather.
- Warranty – Most composite deck materials will come with a 20-year warranty, giving you the flexibility you need if something goes wrong in the future.
Compound cons to consider:
- Mold – Composite is known to cause mold, as can many other surfaces.
- Cost – Composite is usually more expensive than natural wood.
- Contains Plastic – Not everyone is a big fan of the fact that composite materials often contain plastic.
- Unnatural Look – Composite looks realistic but doesn’t come close to the natural look of wood. It can also be scratched more severely than natural wood, unmasking your costume.
