What Should I Use: Natural Wood or Artificial Wood?

As this famous line goes, “There is no other place like home” means that a home should be a refuge – a safe haven. As much as we want to build or improve your aesthetically appealing home, it is important also to take into weighting the benefits. For example, the time versus the money invested in constructing or the long-term convenience versus the short-term fancy needs.

Most of the time, homeowners are torn between using Natural Wood or Artificial Wood in planning to install or renovate their decks. However, before investing in either, it is best to begin at the end of the mind by knowing these facts about the two materials to save your money, time, and effort for a long-term value. 

What is the difference between natural wood and artificial wood?

A decking area is usually an elevated part of the balcony and is a comforting part of your home where you can enjoy your family activities. Many are puzzled about which kind of decking they should choose. Well, there are two kinds of decking that you can choose. We have Natural Wood and Artificial Wood, or what we also called as Wood Composite Decking (WCD). So, what is the difference between natural wood and artificial wood?

• Natural Wood – There are two kinds of Natural Wood used in decking depending upon the choice of the homeowners: Hard Wood and Soft Wood. Both kinds of wood in decking usually undergo a pressure treatment process. Good that as technology advances, this kind of treatment process is made to be easy by using Acetylation. This kind of wood process, also known as Acetylation Wood Technology, gets rid of the moisture content of the wood by changing the hydroxyl content of the wood into an acetyl group. These two types of processes are done to secure the durability and potency of the material against termite and insect attacks and fungal decays. 

• Artificial Wood or Wood Composite Decking (WCD) – In contrast with the Natural Wood, WCD is composed mainly of wood fibers and plastics such as vinyl, PVC, and composites which undergo a process to create a wood-like appearance. As the WCD competes with the appearance of natural wood and the durability of synthetic materials that are not appetizing to insects and termites.

Now let us compare the difference between natural wood and artificial wood in terms of stability, maintenance, UV resistance, weather-resistant, slip resistance, and splinter-free.

• Stability – both materials are stable and good for decking.
• Maintenance – for Wood Composite Decking, the use of a water hose in cleaning unnecessary dirt such as soil, leaves, and other dirt which will cause the decking to be slippery will be enough. Unlike Natural Wood which needs more regular maintenance than WCD, homeowners should apply a coating once every six months up to a year in order to maintain its aesthetic appeal. Be mindful also that natural wood can have hairline or hair fibers and can be cracked because it is its nature.
• UV Resistant and Weather Resistant – WCD has a high UV and weather resistance that can protect your decking from the direct hit of sunlight and changing climate. While the Natural Wood can absorb the heat, however, with the constant change of weather, there will be a high risk of decay if soaked with water often.
• Slip Resistance and Splinter Free – Given the materials used in Artificial Wood decking, it can be assured that it has high slip resistance and is safe even when you walk barefooted, for it is splinter-free. As to Natural Wood decking, it will depend on what kind of specie of wood is used in decking. Thus, with high-quality Natural Wood, this can be reassured that it will be slip-resistant and splinter-free.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of composite decking?

This part of the article will talk about the aspects that you need to know about Composite Decking, the advantages and the disadvantages of the over-increasing popularity of this architectural innovation.

Is Composite Decking worth the money? Will it last longer? Is it waterproof? Everything will be answered here.

Thai Plastwood composite decking is a man-made and eco-friendly material invented to replicate wood used in decking and even in flooring. It is made of high-quality plastic or Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC), which has superior features to the other materials on the market. These includes:

• Low maintenance – does not require regular maintenance such as sanding and painting. 
• Water Proof – due to its material, Composite decking is impervious to water.
• Heat Resistant – the direct heat from the sun will cause the decking to get hot, but the plastic material used in Artificial wood decking resists the heat that lessens the heat.
• Fire Resistant – it cannot easily catch fire rather than other materials.
• Soundproof – the decking will not produce loud noise or squeaking sound, even how heavy the steps of the homeowners are.
• Mold Resistant – the molds cannot penetrate or grow in this kind of decking since the material is plastic, with no cellulose like a plant.
• Low Absorption Rate – the water absorption is less than the other decking materials.
• Low-slip
• Stain and scratch-resistant
• Will not rot and warp
• Anti-termite
• Environmentally friendly
• Available in a variety of colors

Advantages of Composite Decking

Longevity: Composite Decking can last longer due to its ability to withstand any weather changes. As it is mentioned, the materials in manufacturing this kind of decking are high-quality plastic that is waterproof, heatproof, mold-resistant, and anti-termite. This made the Composite Decking a popular choice for homeowners.

Durability: One of the best assets of this material in decking is the low maintenance allowing it to last longer without having an additional cost for sanding, painting, treating, and other maintenance work. It is inevitable that climate change will affect the high-quality look of the decking, but the Composite decking that can withstand any weather enables the material to maintain its beauty with no additional money involved. Economically friendly indeed.

Aesthetic Appeal: With the variety of colors that the homeowners can choose, it can be assured that the style and color of the decking can be aesthetically appealing. Homeowners can mix and match the colors creating a contrasting or complementary color style and design. Just unleash the sense of creativity.

Environmentally Friendly: It is important that in choosing the decking material, consider its effect on the environment. Composite decking is 100% environmentally friendly for it uses recycled plastics. Also, it does not involve deforestation and does not need painting or varnishing, which releases harmful toxins into the environment.

Disadvantages of Composite Decking

Price: Composite Decking has a longer life span and durability rather than other materials for decking due to the quality of plastic used, the effort and labor needed to process the product, and other factors in producing this make it pricey. However, if we calculate the benefits that you will get from Composite Decking, it will make the price worthy versus the cheap decking material that will need high and frequent maintenance.

Permanent Color: It is important that before you install or renovate your deck, take time to think of what color you would like to have because one of the cons that you will have if you will choose Composite Decking is its permanent color. This is made to prevent any toxic chemicals destroy the environment and to lessen the maintenance needed. 

Which is better, wood or composite?

It is essential to be acquainted that decking options have grown widely and rapidly over the last several years. These innovations brought choices in composite and wood products that you can choose over when installing your deck. With the facts presented hereinabove article, in terms of the factors involving the durability, longevity, aesthetics, and the benefits to the homeowners and to the environment, we can infer that Composite Decking is the better choice for your Deck installation or renovation. Even though the up-front cost is higher yet, with the benefits mentioned, it makes up the price.

Do termites eat composite decking?

Composite decking is an engineered product made out of plastic to offer a range of benefits which includes its durability, resistance to mold, rot, and decay, and even infestation of insects, especially termite. Termites are known to nibble and eat dry cellulose of a plant that is found in Wood Decking. So, you do not need to worry about your Composite Decking because it is anti-termite. Durable indeed.

How long will a composite deck last?

Your deck is an investment. As much as you want it to look immaculate, you will also love it if it lasts for decades. Well, if your choice is the Thai Plastwood brand of Composite Decking, the sellable point of this product is its life span which lasts at least 20 to 30 years and can last longer with proper preservation. In these years, you do not need to worry about any issues. You will be staying in your home and on your deck with a happy and contented smile.

For inquiries about the Composite Decking of Thai Plastwood, kindly click the link: https://www.thaiplastwood.com/.