And we send more than a dozen samples of each material to two areas with extreme climates: hot and dry Arizona, and Florida, where the humidity presents a different challenge to certain materials. We drop weights of various sizes on the surface of each board to see which samples dent on impact. We also evaluate each sample’s slip resistance, which is very important if you’re installing a deck near a pool. Next, we size up which materials resist staining from spilled ketchup, mustard, and other common items you might use while eating outside. That ensures that boards won’t bow or bend if you’re entertaining a crowd or if you park a heavy grill in a particular spot all summer long. We use specialized instruments to test each decking sample for resistance to flexing. Consumer Reports’ performance tests address these factors. Ideally, the composite decking you choose will last, look good, and remain safe for years. (But based on current recycling technology, that product’s destination after a typical life span of 25 years is still likely to be a landfill.) The manufacturers claim that many of the products we tested are made primarily from recycled materials-recycled plastic grocery bags, for instance. “Manufacturers usually use a few different molds to make their composites, so there’s some pattern variety,” he says. That doesn’t mean composite decking looks boring, says Rich Handel, the engineer who tests decking for Consumer Reports. The woodlike grain lacks irregularities like knots that can show up in the real thing. That would be expensive to duplicate in solid wood decking.Īesthetics are a factor, too, especially if you like a uniform look. For instance, some planks are flexible enough to be heated and shaped, allowing you to create, say, rounded corners, railings, or a border for a kidney-shaped pool. Upgraded composite options will still cost considerably more than real wood.Ĭomposite decking has other advantages. A single 16-foot pine decking board was selling for nearly $26, only $6 less than you’d pay for a board of Trex Enhance. On hot days, care should be taken to avoid extended contact between exposed skin and the deck surface, especially with young children and those with special needs.We compared the two options at a Lowe’s near our headquarters in Yonkers, N.Y. *Although Trex Transcend Lineage is designed to be cooler than most other composite decking products of a similar color, on a hot sunny day, it will get hot. Available in grooved-edge boards designed for our hidden deck fasteners or square-edge boards for traditional installation. Backed by 50-year Limited Residential and Fade & Stain warranties.Made from an innovative blend of 95% reclaimed wood and plastic film.Solid profile for unlimited design possibilities sturdy enough to handle curves.Low-maintenance material cleans easily with soap and water.The unyielding quality, performance and hassle-free maintenance you expect from Transcend. Lighter, calming tones with subtle streaking.Beautifully simple design with an impeccable pedigree.A light coastal brown, Biscayne captures the beauty of mangroves and sandy coasts, with its light honey hues and natural grain pattern.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |