Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports Tests, Rates Synthetic Decking

Link: ConsumerReports.org

(KDKA) It takes work to keep wood decks looking nice. If you don't stain them every few years, they're likely to crack and fade.

So, in the hopes of cutting down on maintenance, one out of five homeowners is now putting in synthetic decking.

Consumer Reports has finished long-term tests on 17 different types of synthetic decking to see whether synthetic is really the answer.

Though it does cost two or three times the price of pressure treated wood, synthetic decking doesn't need to be stained.

Testers with Consumer Reports say, for their tests, they used aged planks from a deck outside their own offices in New York, as well as boards aged on decks in Arizona and Florida.

"It [The original boards] faded quite a bit in Arizona, and in Florida there was a lot of mildew growth," said Bernie Deitrick, of Consumer Reports.

Experts say removing mildew will take some work and another drawback is that over time some of the synthetic boards can sag, even when the supports are close together.

Consumer Reports says their older synthetic decking has been on the test deck for five years. They say one actually disintegrated and has been recalled.

But Consumer Reports said they found some of today's synthetic decking wears well and requires far less maintenance than wood.

Among plastic decking, Consumer Reports says Eon Classic is a good choice. It comes in a variety of colors and costs $600 per 100 square feet.

Their second choice is Azek, which resists fading, staining, mildew and sagging. It costs $625 per 100 square feet.

But if you prefer the look of a composite, which is plastic mixed with wood fibers, Consumer Reports gave its top ratings to Symmatrix at $525 dollars per 100 square feet. Testers say it is especially good at resisting mildew.

They also said they liked Veranda at $425 and Tamko Evergrain at $525. Both were better choices when it comes to stiffness and sag resistance.

Experts say all of the recommended decking was also rated very good or excellent in terms of slip resistance, and all come with matching railings for a custom look.

The older synthetic decking, mentioned before, has been recalled by Geodeck, which was sold nationwide from April 2002 through July 2005.

More Information:  ConsumerReports.org: Best Decking

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