our opinion on this exterior coating

Presentation of the composite

An interesting alternative to natural wood, composite wood is found halfway between wood and plastic. Indeed, it is composed of wood fibers and polymers, that is to say vegetable fibers and plastic resins. To achieve good coloring, pigments are added, as well as additives such as antifungal protection.

Using raw materials for its production from recyclingsuch as polypropylene, polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, as well as scrap wood, composite wood makes it possible to offer an ecological alternative to tropical timber and thus limit deforestation. The blades offered can be solid or alveolar and are increasingly used outdoors for the construction of terraces, pool surrounds, etc. With the current awareness of ecological issues, this alternative to wood is gaining in popularity. day after day.

Advantages

Composite wood does not owe its success to its ecological side alone, but it also owes it to the many advantages it presents.

An aesthetic solution

Composite wood slats are as aesthetic as natural wood, some perfectly imitate the grain and veins of wood. In addition, the variety of colors is wide enough, from brown to gray and from lighter to darker, to meet all desires. They will therefore allow you to benefit from a beautiful finish on your terrace and to make it a space as warm as if you had opted for natural wood. And what’s more, as composite wood is UV resistant, its color will not change over time.

A sustainable terrace

Composite wood is a solid and therefore durable solution. Several reasons for this:

• He is rot-proof, which means that it does not work under the effect of bad weather and temperature differences. The boards will thus always remain in place.terrasse
• He is fungus resistants, to mosses and various xylophagous insects.
• It benefits from a dirt-repellent surface which protects it from stains.

To note : Thanks to all this, you will avoid the cost of replacing damaged natural wood slats.

A comfortable floor

If you opt for a composite wood deck, you can walk on it barefoot without the risk of injuring yourself with a splinter. In fact, unlike real wood, composite wood does not split. In addition, it is non-slip, which is not negligible if you plan to install it around a swimming pool, for example.

A practical choice

By choosing to install a composite wood deck, you will benefit from a practical solution on two levels:

1. In terms of laying : You will be surprised by the ease and speed of installation. Indeed, it is an accessible solution even to amateur DIY enthusiasts. It is also a lightweight material that is easy to work with.
2. In terms of maintenance : Composite wood, unlike natural wood, is a material that only requires a hard brush and soapy water to be maintained. No special treatment, so savings compared to natural wood!

The inconvenients

If composite wood is a solution with many advantages for your terrace, it also has its limits.

Resistance with limits

We have praised the merits of composite wood in terms of resistance. The latter is very real, but there is a flaw: composite wood is more sensitive to scratches than natural wood. You will therefore have to be careful with the garden furniture. In case of heavy traffic, the blades can also end up showing signs of wear.

A material that retains heat

Another disadvantage of composite, and not the least, is that it retains heat. Thus, if it is installed in a very exposed geographical area or in a location full of sunlight, walking on it barefoot can sometimes be unpleasant, or even impossible. At the time of installation, you must therefore take care to allow good ventilation to allow this excess heat to escape.

A material that is not entirely ecological

If this solution may seem ecological, since it allows to limit the use of wood, we must not forget that plastic is in its composition, even if it is recycled plastic. Composite wood slats are therefore not, ecologically speaking, beyond reproach, since when you want to change them, they are not recyclable unlike those made of natural wood.

It’s not wood

It should be kept in mind that composite wood is not wood and that wood lovers will see the difference, whether visually or tactilely. Indeed, visually, composite wood is less warm than natural wood and to the touch, composite wood does not offer the same sensations as natural wood. Consequently, if you have a real affection for wood, you may be disappointed.

A cost

The price is also a significant advantage. Indeed, in addition to being easy to install, which eliminates the need to call in a professional, composite wood slats are affordable for a quality and durable end product:

But it’s in the long term that your composite decking will allow you to save money, since, each year, you won’t have to no need to buy cleaning products or antifungal and other treatments. Moreover, you will be able to keep it longer provided, if you install it yourself, that you do so on a perfectly stable and flat surface, that you create a slight slope to allow water to drain and that you choose slats in quality composite wood.