If you’re building or buying a new dock, selecting the right decking material can make all the difference in avoiding costly repairs and ensuring you get years of enjoyment out of your structure.
Composite materials are an excellent upgrade for docks because they don’t rot or splinter. However, they may lack the look and feel of real wood.
Water Resistant
Whether you choose a wooden dock or aluminum, your decking must resist the elements to ensure it remains in good shape. Two of the most essential factors are moisture and sun exposure.
Composites are designed to withstand these challenges and are made from recycled wood, sawdust, and plastics that are molded into boards that mimic wood planks. The boards are capped with weather-resistant acrylic resin, creating a smooth surface and strong surface adhesion to the dock’s frame.
This combination of strength and durability makes the Best Composite Decking for Docks from https://titandeck.com/products/titan-x-series/ stand up to the elements. The material is also less likely to rot or deteriorate from water splashes than other materials.
UV Resistant
Another advantage of capped composites is their protection from the sun’s UV rays. It helps keep the composite decking looking new and longer.
If you use composite decking on your dock, you need to be sure it can hold up to the elements. An excellent composite decking material will not warp or swell with moisture, stain easily, or be vulnerable to fading in the sun.
During the past 30 years, manufacturers have been making their products better and better, but some issues still arise when using composite decking. Especially regarding docks, these problems can be a significant inconvenience.
Another great thing about these capped composites is that they do not fade under the sun like wood. Most capped composite decking brands guarantee their product will not fade for at least 25 years, depending on the brand.
In addition to the above benefits, capped composites offer a wide array of colors and textures that can be customized to fit your dock. Some capped composites even come in wood grain patterns that mimic the texture of natural lumber.
If you want a low-maintenance and high-quality dock surface, capped composite is the best option. You can find several top-rated brands in the market with warranties that last more than 25 years and are designed to withstand the elements for many years to come!
Stain Resistant
The best composite decking for docks offers a blend of recycled wood and plastics, giving you the sturdiness of wood and the water resistance of plastic. This combination allows docks to last for decades.
Many composite dock boards are capped, which helps prevent mold and mildew from growing on the surface. It also helps prevent moisture damage from causing the product to break down or become unsightly.
Capped composites are less susceptible to fading than non-capped products, although they fade slightly in the first few years of use. Almost all capped decking has a 5-delta-E fade warranty for the product’s life.
Heat Resistant
When building or refinishing a dock, you want to ensure the material you choose will hold up against the elements. That includes everything from rain and humidity to the constant sun glare. In addition, docks are often located in areas exposed to a lot of heat, so choosing a heat-resistant decking material can help keep your dock looking great for years.
One option that has risen in popularity is wood-plastic composites, which combine the strength and stiffness of wood fibers with moisture resistance from plastics. These materials are durable and require less maintenance than other decking options.
Treated wood is another popular dock decking option, but this material is not as water-resistant as other options. Treated wood is splinter resistant, but it requires regular care and refinishing to keep it looking beautiful.
Finally, modified wood is another dock decking option that is very durable and splinter-free. Modified wood is treated using different thermal processes to increase its density, moisture, and rot and pest resistance.
Many marina owners have switched from treated wood to composite decking for their docks, especially when they have found that composites offer the best of both worlds regarding low maintenance and durability.
Moisture-resistant composite decking is ideal for docks receiving frequent water splashes. It is also an excellent choice for docks in hot climates, where heat-resistant decking can help prevent mold and mildew from growing on the docks.
