Composite Materials

Midwestpro · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:31 pm Post subject: Composite Materials

Within the past few years manufacturers have pushed many exterior products on consumers by selling them as “maintenance free”. Some of these products include composite decking, plastic decking, plastic vinyl fencing, and plastic deck spindles. The truth is that nothing that is exposed to mother natural is totally maintenance free. These companies not being honest about their products isn’t really anything new, years ago aluminum siding was said to be maintenance free as was vinyl siding. We all know better than that now and many of us have cleaned our homes exterior or have done our own deck maintenance, the point is these products are by no means maintenance free.

An example is composite decking, which is made from 50% wood and 50% plastic. The wood fibers in this product are prone to sun damage and will turn gray just like a wood deck if not treated with a sealer. The composite material is a magnet for mildew which appears as small black spots or blotches. Vinyl fencing, lattice or vinyl deck spindles will also get mold and mildew on them if climate and moisture conditions are right.

Even though these products aren’t completely maintenance free like the manufacturers claim they are, they can be cleaned up and maintained every couple of years to help prolong their beauty.