Enhance Decks with Wood-Plastic Composite Decking and Railing

By Brent Gwatney

Few things in life beat having a cold one on your deck while chicken wings and pork chops sizzle on the barbecue and hickory smoke fills the air. What other part of the home invites relaxation or forget-about-work partying with friends like the deck?

For many of us, the design and construction of our decks is also a source of pride—especially for do-it-yourselfers or those who had a close hand in the project with a professional contractor. But if it’s a small starter deck that came with the house or is showing its age with faded and splintered boards, it may not be the outdoor retreat of your dreams.

In the past few decades, options for decking materials have exploded. Beyond redwood and pressure-treated wood, homeowners and builders can now select from a range of exotic hardwoods, plastics, metals and wood-plastic composites. Home-improvement enthusiasts seem to enjoy debating these materials’ various merits almost as much as bragging about who has the most powerful lawn-mower or best tool collection.

For higher-performance decks, wood-plastic composites are often a good choice. They resist splintering, splitting, twisting and cracking, and are typically anticipated to last two to three times longer than wood decking. A wide range of colors and styles are available to help create simple patterns or complex layouts and in-lays, along with complementary railing and fascia.

Varied patterns and curved features are possible with composite deck boards. Image courtesy MoistureShield.