Low maintenace of composites: I think an annual cleaning IS low maintenance compared to what it takes to keep a premium wood surface nice over the years (PT excluded).

I think alot of problems consumers have with spotting are because of poor maintenance, not the product. I read about spotting on premium wood surfaces as well, so to me theyre equal on that score.

Longevity: We'll have to see. Somebody stated the other day about his seven year old Trex deck that still looked great.

I did miss the point about the cost. On the other hand, based on the input of entries made here people aren't considering cypress decks (a generalization of course). Of those who are here to consider a premium surface, I would say IPE, cedar, and composites are the leading candidates.So to state make a statement composites "cost twice as much" is misleading.

Life-cycle cost: I'd like to know more about how IPE and cedar raw material costs stack up against my Trex cost. For this discussion, I'll assume they are all equal. After the install, the wood products need labor to get the right color and sealer. Annual cleaning would be equal. Resealing would be more cost. If something goes awry with the wood (which I read about occasionally), more cost. Then there's the life of the material...how will the composite hold up over time vs the organics. I have experience with cedar...a consumer would be extremely lucky to go 20 years without problems with cedar..it's so soft. IPE sounds much more durable, yet it is an organic. I'm skeptical over the long run. To me it kind of comes down to how long the composites last. IMO, since plastic repels water (unlike wood) I'm in the composite corner. IMO there's not enough wood sawdust in Trex to be an issue.

Funny you mentioned about the plastic monstosity in a natural setting. Mine is in the middle of a large wooded area. My wife is a Master Naturalist, so we have alot of wildlife. I see the composite no different than other features we live with...concrete walks and drives, the Hardiboard siding, the paint on our houses...synthetic, yet very durable.

Disparaging remarks....All I can say is I'm here to foster a fair forum that gives consumers information so they can make the best choice for themselves. The wood group is well represented. The composite group is not.

Is it possible we see few posts about composites because they have no need to seek advice on their product...happy customers, and we see so may wood posts because they ARE having problems? And that's where you and your company come in to help, which is great. You're doing a great job filling a (much needed) need.

I hope others are benefiting from the debate.

sreretc...

You can say what you want about Ipe, but it's not too high priced, and it can be no maintenance if you don't mind the silver look. Longevity? I walked over the Brooklyn Bridge today, and the walkway is Ipe. it's been there for years, and thousands of people and bike riders go over it everyday. It is subject to extreme temps, being over the east river. It looks good...worn, but good.

I wonder why they didn't use trex?

don't get me wrong...I'm in favor of everyone using composites/vinyl decking (although I won't). Faux decking is the wave of the future, because eventually there won't be enuf trees left, and wood will be prohibitively expensive. Ipe is so popular now that i'm afraid we're gonna run out of it before I retire in a few years. So I'm glad you used trex, and that you're happy with it. I just wonder why you hang out here defending it. You're not a deck builder, and you don't need decking advice. You built your deck...time to go out back and enjoy it...unless you work for TrexCo?

steve

Don't get me wrong, Trex isn't perfect...I'm on record as not recommending it where kids would tear it up...it's too soft, I wouldn't recommend cedar for the same reason. But for those who take care of their things, it's good.
Why hang out here? This isn't a contractor's site. It's a site devoted to those interested in porches and decks, whether it be design, construction, problems.... advice from others. I enjoyed the whole process of building mine. I already stated I don't think the merits of composites are well represented here...so you should see me around alot....oh, and thanks for your welcoming tone, all the way from Brooklyn.

The smartest thing brooklndecks does is avoid posting his website regularly. His arbors look like parakeet cages.
He'll be retiring alot later if he keeps showing his examples.

Gorilla builder,

Birdcages?
That's funny, coming from a guy that builds gorillas. My website can be seen by anyone that clicks on the link above, as you obviously did. My projects are there for the world to see...where are yours?

I don't post my link onto my messages here, as I'm not trolling for work...don't need to.

here's a recent Ipe birdcage

steve
www.urbanexteriors.biz

Your work looks good to me Steve, I also would like to see some of your work GB. J

Thanks J-mon,

I think it's more like a gorilla cage.

i guess that's enough...

steve
www.urbanexteriors.biz

Looking Real Good Steve Mon!!

Ya see the thing about composite material is it changes, no matter what brand a person buys its not going to be the same the next day or the next year, there is no telling about the stuff its made by a machine so even if the Co dosent change the make up or get slapped with a class action or has a recall or just stops making it all together,,,,, Machines make mistakes for a lot of reasons it could be they dident get updated, could be a low paid worker tossed a few beer bottles in the mix,could be the raw material wasent up to quality things like that.

Some people want composite for some reason, others dont mind the stuff going green every year or little rot holes coming up, or having to frame with sister joists on a break, or having it sag on 16'' centers. Watching the color fade,puting up with the little differances in the texture.

Other People are enraged over things like this, I have goten a lot of mail from these Folks, they bought into the hype belived what the Co said and have no place to go either live with it,try for a class action,tear it out and go with something else.
And then there are the Srercrcr kind of folks, new wave, modern, this is the material of the Present and its not getting all that much good press. Mabey should Our Business stay on the roll its been on for the last 10 years the composite machine including everything thats invloved in that will probley get a product out there that people can count on,after they have pushed out every mix they can think of and advertized it anyway they want, and just put on hold the enraged customers,, remember them???

I do a fair amount of composite decks, I dont want to do it but the hype is impossible to put away so I use the best I can get and go with it. One high $ material is Plastic Lumber, The Robert over at mrdeck.com has a track record with the stuff and some very nice work, now if a person wanted to go with a sure thing in man made material it is possible with this material, other wize its going to be a roll of the bones for the next few years. J

Steve, gorgeous work! What finish did you use on that Ipe roof deck (the 2nd photo in your link)? Is it clear or does it have a tint?

Natal,

thanks...that deck was finished with Penofin. I think it was the "hardwood" formula. It's not clear...has some stain in it, I think. go to penofin.com.

Ken,
sorry for hijacking your thread, but I was attacked by a gorilla (builder)

steve

Thanks Steve.