Are You Happy with Your Composite Decking?

[carging]

I have researched composite decking for several weeks and am as confused as ever. Has anyone out there had a composite deck for three years or more? Are you happy with it? How old is it? What brand did you use? I'm off of Trex but I'm considering WeatherBest and Geodeck. I live in a damp area so I also need to consider low water absorption. Any advice/info is appreciated!

[Hellrazor]

The geodecking i've used is a year old, not 3. I am more then happy with how it looks after a year.

[carging]

Thanks for your response. I've just about narrowed it down to Geodeck, but I'd like to hear more comments/information/advice from others before I make a final decision.

[lefty]

Composite??

My composite deck of choice is either Weather Best or Geodeck. But they both have the same problems. They scratch, and they will stain.

Trex is coming out with some new lines -- they had to do something to keep up with the competition. But it still contains wood fiber, so see above.

Then I came across Pro Cell. 100% vinyl. Won't stain, vitually impossible to scratch.

Can't tell you about it's looks in 3 years -- it's only been out for about 2.

[carging]

Thanks Lefty. I know nothing is going to be perfect. I'm just trying to minimize some of the problems I've heard/read about.

[johnfron]

I have a dock that was installed with composite decking - TimberTech Toungue & Groove. It is going on the third summer. It was the natural color, so it was designed to fade to grey. It has held up extremely well to the summer and winter weather. You can see a picture of the dock here:

http://www.idcc.net/pictures/Dock06092005%20001.jpg

[carging]

Your dock really does look great. It's good to hear from someone who has actually had a few years' experience...not easy since these are relatively new products. Thanks for your response.

[jay_myself]

There are several nature trails installed by the county in my area (West Michigan). The engineering company hired to research, design, etc has had experience with multiple brands. After some bad results with a few brands, they now recommend WeatherBest to any municipality in the sate that hires them.

There is a dock/trail in the woods and partially over an inland lake near my house which is several miles long. It was redone a few years ago after another product had problems. They ripped up the other product and put down WeatherBest. The trail has now been in use for almost three years. It doesn't get much sunlight, as it is mostly in the shade. It does get a lot of leaves though and sand but I've yet to see scratches or stains and it gets a lot of traffic including kids on bicycles. The only thing I have seen is tire skid marks where the kids jamb on their brakes and leave a tire mark.

[ururk]

Its been a while since you posted here, but could you tell me the name of the West Michigan engineering firm? I'd like to know what brands to avoid and how WeatherBest has held up.

Thanks!

[jasper_60103]

Went thru the same confusion about a year ago. Narrowed my choices down to Timbertech and Weatherbest. Chose Weatherbest in the end because I liked a solid peice of decking.

Anyway, IMO. If you can tolerate some staining, you will be satisfied with a composite. Stuff happens, stains do fade away over time.