Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - magazine article

there is a magazine called "deck builder". it is soley focused on decks and deck building. This month's issue features an article about cleaning and sealing decks. It talks about all types of decking, inclcuding wood and composite.

For some composites which tend to have a mold problem, there are products discussed. A pull-out lists the brand names and applications of about 30 different products and applicable information.

By the way, the magazine also sponsors an anual expo called deck builder. last year in florida and the previous year in reno, nevada, which i attended. this show is for serious deck builders. there were about 500 guys (and yes a few women) who came to see all the deck and associated products displayed and attend seminars. I say this is for serious builders because the expo cost about $350 to attend and of course, transportation and lodging.

For anyone who buys ANY product you will always have mold and mildew grow on the surfaces, this is simply a fact. It doesn't matter if it is wood, composite, vinyl, or whatever, if the conditions are right for mold and mildew growth, it will happen. When it does, it needs to be cleaned and removed. There is nothing that that links composite decking with promoting mold and mildew growth. Some of these products were manufactured with a percentage of wood and the black spots you see in the product is NOT mold and mildew but rather tannin bleed from the wood used in the manufacturing of the product(in some cases it was red oak, which has and leaves a very dark tannin bleed).

Everett is absolutely correct. When the conditions are right mold, mildew, and moss will grow on anything. Tannin acid spots are not mold or mildew -- they are tannin acid spots. There is no connection between them and mold or mildew.