If You Think Composite Decks are Low Maintenance, I Have A Unicorn to Sell You

There’s no such thing as stain-free, or maintenance free man-made decking. Period. End of story.

The only thing in flux is “resistance.” How does a decking material resist getting mold damage? What about excessive heat? Bitter cold? Everything on this Earth has to contend with the elements. So, if you’re considering replacing your deck, or building a new one from scratch, look past the fancy words and pictures and ask yourself:

1. Is the decking I want proven to last?
2. Is it worth your money to buy the “latest and greatest decking” when its long term performance is yet to be determined?
3. What do other people who own similar materials saying online?
4. Are the warranties worth the paper they’re printed on?

If you find you can answer these questions positively, then you can move forward with confidence.

What has your experience been with you deck? We want to know! Leave a comment below.

Whenever we get people who ask us about how Cumaru compares to Ipe, we give two analogies.

• Which is the better sports car? A Ferrari, or a Lamborghini?
• Who was a better boxer? Muhammad Ali, or Mike Tyson?

In terms of performance, both Cumaru and Ipe hold their own against the elements. A surprising fact about Cumaru is just how popular it is around the world. In its country of origin, Brazil, Cumaru is showcased in some of the country’s most exclusive hotels and residences.

As you’ll see below in our comparison chart, the major difference between these two exceptional hardwoods is their color and price. It’s all a matter of what you want your deck to look like. If you really want to dark robust color of Ipe, then it’s worth the price to you. If you want to have all the strength of Ipe and are more budget conscious, then Cumaru is your best bet. If money is no object, but you want a lighter deck with more color variations, then Cumaru, once again, is your best bet.

Cumaru Decking VS Ipe Decking

Gorgeous display of reddish brown to golden brown. A more distinguished grain pattern gives you a more diverse looking deck. Appearance Varies from dark brown to a brown color. Some boards have red accents or thin yellow streaks and a more subtle grain pattern. 3540 lbs Janka Hardness 3680 lbs 50+ years with deck oil applications / 25+yrs without treatments Lifespan 50+ years with deck oil applications / 25+yrs without treatments Excellent resistance to mold, termites & decay. Great for pool decks and safe for bare feet with scratch & slip resistance. Durability Strong scratch resistant surface. Reliable resistance to fungus, rot, and decay. Known to last in extreme conditions. More budget friendly than Ipe Cost With Ipe prices steadily rising due to increased demand, Cumaru becomes even more attractive. *SAVE UP TO 25% WHEN YOU CHOOSE CUMARU OVER IPE*

Cumaru Decking VS Composite Decking

Gorgeous display of reddish brown to golden brown. Distinguished grain pattern gives you a more diverse looking deck. Appearance Varies per brand. An array of color options are available from weathered gray to artificial tropical looks. 3540 lbs Janka Hardness Unavailable (varies by manufacturer) 50+ years with deck oil applications / 25+yrs without treatments. Can last in any climate regardless of humidity levels. Lifespan Depends on the type of plastic used and the wood-to-plastic ratio. Lifespan can be greater in drier climates, less in humid climates. Excellent resistance to mold, termites & decay. Great for pool decks and safe for bare feet with scratch & slip resistance. Durability Reported problems include mold, decay, and delamination (plastic surface peeling) Significant price savings over composite decking with a greater return on investment. Cost Cumaru Decking costs less than composite deck materials *SAVE OVER 30% OVER MAJOR BRANDS OF COMPOSITE DECKING*

Cumaru Decking VS Teak Decking

Reddish brown with some golden colored boards with a more distinguished grain pattern Appearance Uniform tan to brown without markings. Grain is absent of markings & straight to slightly wavy. 3540 lbs Janka Hardness 1050 lbs 25+yrs with no chemical treatment Lifespan 15 years without chemical treatment Strong scratch resistant surface Durability Medium durability. Weathers fast, but is known to last in varying climates. Cumaru Decking costs less per lineal foot, is stronger, with a greater return on investment. Cost At least 25% higher cost per lineal foot. Only 1×4 and 1×6 material is usually available. *SAVE UP TO 25% WHEN YOU CHOOSE CUMARU OVER TEAK*

We recently received video of some composite decks in Florida. The decking problems here are numerous. Twisting and warping is just the tip of the iceberg. Mold, rot, decay. You’ll even see how excessive heat can cause significant damage. Check it out for yourself:

Plastic decking made to look like weathered wood.

I have seen the future of decking….and it is not plastic.

From looking over many of the exhibits at the International Builders Show in Orlando, FL, it was apparent there are a ton of composite decking companies there. There were the familiar names and a bunch from overseas countries like China. Despite the elaborate displays and fancy marketing materials, I can’t tell you how many times I overheard people going up to various reps and asking the same questions:

• How does this compare to real hardwood like Ipe?
• I heard about recalls due to mold, peeling and cracking? Why is your stuff different?
• What chemicals do you use to ensure this stuff doesn’t fade like you claim?

Clearly, people have been doing their homework on these decking materials. With the shaky record composites have, it’s understandable that people are growing more skeptical about the claims of low maintenance.

Left to mature gracefully, this ipe deck hasn't checked, split, or warped.

Each time, I overheard rep after rep stumbling through the exact same answers. Saying that a product is “just better” because it’s recycled isn’t a real answer. Similarly, saying that you can’t disclose what chemicals are used within the plastic just doesn’t fly especially when you remember all the news of recalls and tainting that are currently plaguing many foreign made building products. However, the most glaring problem about these options is the plain and simple fact that composite and PVC decking looks plastic. There’s no mistaking it.

Despite the many attempts to mimic the look of authentic wood decking one thing is clear, you can’t fool the eye. And, if you’re going to claim that your product improves on mother nature, you better be sure it can handle whatever mother nature throws at it! As you can see from the picture about, that ipe deck lining the beach has been in place for years. It withstands the daily pressures of sun, rain, daily traffic, wind, sand, and every conceivable element you can think of. As you can see, it’s been holding up nicely. Contrast that with the composite decking reviews you read online and the pictures to back it up. Given the past performance of composite decking, the future doesn’t look too promising.

Have you replaced your composite deck? Are you considering building a new deck in the future? What are you looking for out of a deck material? Tell us your thoughts below…

Is the new composite decking option right for you?

You might have heard about the latest type of composite decking. There are multiple decking brands using what’s known in the plastic industry as “capstock.”

What is Capstock decking? Basically, Capstock is a new kind of composite decking material that combines composites (plastic and wood fiber core) with a “durable” exterior layer of vinyl (PVC). Think of it as a composite and PVC deck hybrid.

Like with most new products in the decking market, the companies that sell this kind of synthetic decking are doing their best by spending millions of dollars  to convince you that, FINALLY, this is a composite wood product you can trust. These brands are also trying their best to convince you and deck builders across the country that it is “as good as, or better” than natural hardwood decking in terms of durability and looks.

They even offer a 25-year warranty on their product. However, if you’ve done research, you will learn that, for many, composite decking warranties aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. Many people complain and have sued these artificial decking companies for not complying with the terms of their warranties. Ironically, even a reputable publication like Professional Deck Builder says about the latest trend in capstock composite decking, “The lengthy warranties – most up to 25 years – indicate that manufacturers stand behind these products (though perhaps you’ve heard that before).” That’s a direct quote, folks. Even the home-building press is skeptical about these products and for good reason.

Another interesting fact that arose out of our research is the resistance of all composite decking companies to disclose the chemical makeup of their new decking materials. In fact, when FineHomebuilding Magazine was conducting their own research into these products for their article entitled “In Pursuit of the Perfect Plank” the author noted, “None of the manufacturers I spoke with would reveal what was in their proprietary polymer.” Why is that? more…

Exotic woods like Cumaru are great for pool decking.

If you’re looking for pool decking, hardwoods offer excellent benefits that will keep you, your guests, and children safe.

Many times, people who settle for plastic decking have to pay extra attention to the decking that surrounds their pool. It’s not hard to imagine that wet plastic composite decking could act more like a “slip and slide” than a safe-to-grip surface you can depend on. Even pressure treated decking is a inferior option. When you factor in the chemicals used to make the material, plus the fact that splits and cracks are fast to appear on the surface, softer woods like pressure treated pine are not the best for families.

So, what makes exotic wood decking a better option? more…

2 year old composite decking with visible green mold.

Although Advantage Trim & Lumber refuses to sell, recommend, or have anything to do with composite decking products we often receive calls from composite deck owners who are having maintenance issues. Surprisingly, they call us for composite deck maintenance advice after they spoke with the manufacturer or the store where they purchased it.

A question that we sometimes get asked is, “I have composite decking that is starting to mold and don’t want to spend the money to replace it. Can’t I just flip over the deck board?

Our answer is always the same. more…