Wood Plastic Composite grows in popularity

10 years, is made from wood and recycled or virgin plastic and is admired for its low maintenance and wood-like looks.
"In my area it's mostly about the convenience. There are a lot of weekend and summer homes and people don't want to waste a day sealing a wood deck," says Shore, of Rick Shore Builders, whose firm built nearly $300,000 worth of decks last year, of which all but two were made of composites.

Although not entirely maintenance-free, composites require only periodic sweeping or hose washing. "Consumers who have experience the maintenance headaches of treated decks are demanding that their second deck be installed using wood composites," says Paul Bizzarri, marketing manager for TimberTech composite decking.

Primarily used in remodeling applications, composite decking accounts for close to 10 percent of the $3 billion decking market. It competes with wood (pressure-treated, cedar, redwood, and other species) and other plastics, like vinyl, which have about 85 percent and 5 percent market shares, respectively However, composites are the fastest-growing decking segment, experiencing a 15 percent to 25 percent growth each year, estimates Bizzarri.

GOOD LOOKING, TOO

Besides low maintenance, aesthetics are another driving factor behind the category's recent growth. Manufacturers continue to add new color choices to their ever-expanding product range, including shades that weather to lighter colors and deeper redwood and brown hues that manufacturers say will remain vibrant.

However, homeowners still need to know that the appearance of a composite deck--even if it's fade-resistant--will change over time. "All products weather to some degree when they're exposed to the elements," says John Pruett, marketing manager for CertainTeed Boardwalk composite decking.

Most composite decking products come in the same size planks as traditional decking; some brands even are available in tongue-and-groove configurations for easy installation. Many products have wood-grain surfaces and some are textured.