Anyone have experience with composite decking?

[Aero95]

Originally Posted by forgop

Thanks for the advice-

The house is just now 20 years old with a really nice deck (38x18) with nice bench seating in 4 different locations and a built-in deck box next to the screen-in porch. I think cedar would look really nice. I just know nothing about it and wonder how hard it'll be to keep it from graying on me.

Here are some pics-2 from today and 1 from the house listing of when it was clear (needs cleaned up a bit from spring cleaning at the moment). Like you said, if I do this, there won't be any seams in it at all this time around.

It will grey as the sealer wears off requiring cleaning and resealing. Make sure you get a sealer with UV inhibitors

[forgop]

Originally Posted by aero95

It will grey as the sealer wears off requiring cleaning and resealing. Make sure you get a sealer with UV inhibitors

Is the cleaning equivalent to just pressure washing and putting on a sealer every spring?

[Aero95]

Originally Posted by forgop

Is the cleaning equivalent to just pressure washing and putting on a sealer every spring?

Well yes a pressure washer around 500psi will get all the oils and debris from the wood. If you put a clear sealant over the wood it will turn the wood gray in a year so you would have to spray every year and re-apply the clear sealer. Now normally if you would use a wood stain you would not have to rent a pressure washer every year since that would strip it off. You can also during the summer if the deck looks dirty clean it with simple green since it does not contain any harmful chemicals.

[forgop]

Originally Posted by aero95

Well yes a pressure washer around 500psi will get all the oils and debris from the wood. If you put a clear sealant over the wood it will turn the wood gray in a year so you would have to spray every year and re-apply the clear sealer. Now normally if you would use a wood stain you would not have to rent a pressure washer every year since that would strip it off. You can also during the summer if the deck looks dirty clean it with simple green since it does not contain any harmful chemicals.

My deck faces the east, so it doesn't get a tremendous amount of sun, so perhaps I'll get more life than those who face the south.

I'm a little confused about the above, so I just want to clarify-if I would pressure wash and apply a clear UV sealer, I can maintain the same look as new? Just seemed like you said if I apply a clear sealer, it'll turn gray anyway.