Does Composite Decking Get Slippery When Wet?

Choosing Deck Materials

Don’t worry, I’ve got 11 solutions for you that will help to fix your slippery decking problems today. Decks can get slippery any time of the year, but they are most susceptible to this problem in the winter when the snow builds up and ice can form on your deck. This will turn it into a hazardous mess, so it’s best to tackle this issue before it happens. You might have noticed that there’s a small gap between each of your decking boards. That moisture is a perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, algae, and even moss. They’ll grow in the wetness, creating a slick layer of growth on your decking material.

Composite Decking Vs Wood

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Screwing through the face of the boards is by far the fastest, easiest and most structurally sound method of fastening deck boards. Modern deck screws have reverse threads to suck the decking down tight to the joists and specially designed heads to prevent mushrooming.

Is Trex Decking Slippery In Winter?

You can buy commercially available cleaning solutions or create your own by mixing â…“ cup of powdered laundry detergent (ammonia-free), 1-quart of bleach and 3 gallons of water. Use a broad fanning nozzle with the power washer to avoid causing damage to paint or wood stain.

• The recycled plastic in the product takes waste away from the ocean or having it enter our food supply.
• As long as you spray down the material with some water and a mold cleaner twice per year, you’ll be able to maintain the quality of your deck – even if it develops mold or mildew over time.
• You can also choose capped composite decking to have a product that resists fading and discoloration over time.
• That means you don’t need to cut down more trees just so that you can build a deck.
• When you choose composite decking for your home, then you’re using a product that is primarily made of recycled products.

Different types of anti-slip strips are available commercially that you can install over your portions of your composite decking. They have a very rough texture that would greatly increase the surface traction of your composite decking. Long wear, appearance and low maintenance are among the reasons that some homeowners and builders choose composite materials rather than wooden. If you’d like to learn more about how you can resolve your slippery decking problem, please give us a call or send us an email.

Built-in moisture resistance – Where there's a pool, there's apt to be water – a lot of it. Unlike traditional lumber decking, using composite decking around pools can provide a smooth, clean surface for many years with little to no maintenance. Have you tried composite decking for an outdoor project? Let me know how you liked working with it and make sure to check out the TimberTech website to see all their products. TimberTech has engineered certain formulations of their composite decking products to minimize heat build-up, so they’re cooler under your feet.

For the most part it has held up well and we have enjoyed the deck. For now, I’d say the best way to avoid problems with composite decking are to avoid it altogether and stick with wood. It’s not wood, so it shouldn’t be expanding and moving the same, right? It actually moves more AND more unexpectedly than wood decks.

Composite decking, regardless of the anti-slip treatment done, could become slippery at some point. Some can become slippery easily than others, and different conditions could influence this from happening. It is then important to understand how composite decking becomes slippery and how to prevent it from happening. Unfortunately, composite or conglomerate decking usually leads to slippery surfaces, especially when wet.

Trex

Should Decking Be Ribbed Side Down?

Avoid using metal implements or anything sharp to scrape away the debris, as this can scratch and damage your timber further, which can lead to rotting. A composite decking that is capped or with capstock is impermeable to water and has a very low water absorption rate. This will ensure that it does not encourage fungal or mold growth. Below are 4 ways to make your composite decking less slippery. With regards to water, although most composite decking has a very low water absorption rate, it is best to check the product and get the one with the least water absorption rate. Older models of composite decking have a higher water absorption rate, which is not ideal for areas that get exposed to moisture often.