Five Disadvantages of Composite Decks
Sagging
One of the first disadvantages of composites decks is sagging. Composite materials are not as strong as wood, so they are prone to sagging because of the weight of the deck. Therefore, composites decks will need wood supports to avoid this issue of sagging. The deck will only last as long as the wood supports last. In addition to sagging, these decks are also sensitive to temperature.
Temperature Sensitivity
Another disadvantage of composite decks is their sensitivity to temperature. The composite materials used for the decks are very sensitive to temperature changes, so they will expand when the weather is hot and contract when it is cold. This means that composite decks are not suitable for bearing a lot of weight. Besides being sensitive to temperature changes, many decks are also susceptible to mold.
Mold
Mold is also a disadvantage of composite decks. If the composite material is largely infused with wood, it will absorb a lot of moisture. This moisture absorption will lead to mold problems over time. Many people have complained about this because they are unable to get rid of the mold problem. While mold can sometimes be a big problem, one of the biggest problems occurs when the deck becomes damaged.
Price
Another disadvantage of composite decks is the price. People usually believe that wooden decks will cost more than those manufactured with composite materials. This is not true. Composite decks almost always cost more than wood decks.
Damage
One of the final disadvantages of composite decks is that damage cannot be repaired. You can refinish wood decks to make them look new again. Also, if there is a problem with a section of the deck, you can replace it easily. Composite decks can’t be repaired or refinished, so you will have to replace the whole deck if it becomes damaged.
These are some of the disadvantages of composite decks. They are unable to be repaired like wood decks, so they will have to be replaced if they become damaged. You may also experience an uncontrollable mold problem if the composite material is largely made up of wood. Also, composite decks are not as strong as wood decks, so they are prone to sagging under the weight of the deck.
