Thursday, December 22, 2022
For most of the year, your outdoor deck is a great place to hold parties, cook, and enjoy crossovers outside. But that may not be the case in the winter. In snowy and very cold places, an outdoor deck may not be usable. In addition, snow and ice, which are common in winter, can damage your deck. This article introduces you to the best decking for winter—composite decking, which is better adapted to the environment, lasts longer, and is easier to care for than traditional wood decking.
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If you live in an area with a harsh climate, you may be wondering what kind of decking will last the longest in the winter. Unlike traditional decking, composite decking is made to handle the humidity, low temperatures, and sunlight that are common in winter. Unlike wood decking, composite decking boards do not require you to do a lot of winterizing. In addition, it will not stretch or break in cold weather, nor will it rot or soften due to too much water, snow, or ice.
COOWIN® capped composite decking is a durable, economical, and stylish outdoor decking option for homeowners who don’t want to give up top performance for a beautiful design. COOWIN® composite decking is available in a variety of colors and finishes that are naturalistic to the touch.
If your project has special requirements, we also offer custom colors and profiles to help you get the exact look you want for your outdoor space. We have composite decking tiles that look like grass or stone, as well as tiles that look like real wood in tropical environments. All of our composite deck boards work well with each other, so you get the flexibility and compatibility that make for a good design.
Composite decking is made from a combination of wood fiber and high-density recycled polyethylene. In addition, COOWIN® can offer you capped composite decking with even better weather resistance. This type of composite decking has a strong polymer coating that protects it against the elements. Because of this, composite decking is stronger and lasts longer than decking made of wood or plastic alone. For those who want a deck that will last a long time and requires little maintenance or repair after a tough winter, capped composite decking is the best choice.
In addition to environmental resilience, composite decking has other merits, offering greater performance than other materials do in winter.
COOWIN® composite decking is easy to install, which makes them perfect for busy homeowners. To install composite decking boards, you just need to follow these steps:
Composite decking is highly resistant to water because it is made of plastic. This is helpful in the winter when mud, frost, and snow piles typically stay on your deck for a long time. With composite decking, you don’t have to worry about water getting in and rotting or warping the wood. Composite deck boards will also dry quickly once the snow melts and it gets warm. The shorter the time it takes for the water to freeze again, the faster it dries.
COOWIN® composite decking has a protective layer that prevents mold and mildew from entering the core of the decking. Over time, mold can destroy traditional decking. With our capped composite decking, you’ll never have to worry about your deck boards breaking.
Unlike uncapped composite decking, capped composite decking has a polymer coating on all four sides, which makes it better at protecting your decking boards. Even if your composite wood decking is regularly exposed to UV rays or harsh weather, our fully capped decking will keep the surface from cracking, warping, or splintering. This will make your outdoor decking last longer and keep you comfortable when you’re outside.
Humidity and moisture cause all wood decks to grow and shrink over time. composite wood decking is stable in all types of weather and temperatures. Compared to traditional decking, composite wood decking is less likely to grow, shrink or move over time.
Composite decking requires little to no maintenance. It’s made in such a way that it won’t need to be repaired or replaced for decades. However, there are things you can do to get the most out of your composite wood decking and get better results.
Your composite decking won’t lose its color or finish due to snow, sun, or high or low temperatures, so you can rest assured that your deck will look as good as new when spring comes.
Thanks to a special protective polymer coating, the color of your deck won’t change much over time. Therefore, you don’t need to stain, sand, or oil composite decking anymore.
You do not have to cover your outdoor deck in the winter to keep it safe. composite decking is strong and will stand up to most winter weather conditions. However, if covering your deck will make you feel safer, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Although composite decking is strong and durable, there are some steps you should take to prepare for cold weather in order to better bring out its value.
Before winter arrives, inspect your outdoor deck to identify any areas that need attention.
If you see any weak spots on your outdoor deck, you should fix them before winter arrives, as cold weather can make weak spots worse.
Once you’ve checked your deck and fixed anything that needs fixing, it’s time to get ready for winter. To do this you need to do a few things to prepare.
Snow is not a problem for composite decking boards. But if you want to know how to protect your deck during the winter, it’s always a good idea to remove the snow for safety and to make your deck last longer. Use an outdoor broom to gently move the snow instead of a shovel. This is the best way to keep your deck in good condition. If there is too much snow, or if you need to make a path outside your house, chances are you will need to shovel. When you have to shovel snow, follow these precautions:
The best ice melter is calcium chloride because it is easy to use and will not harm your deck. Be careful when you use salt or an ice melt containing salt because salt can leave a residue after prolonged use. If you use an ice melt product, make sure you wash off any residue when the weather turns warm to avoid stains or corrosion.
After winter, it’s time to inspect your outdoor deck again. Do a visual inspection of your entire deck again and make note of any changes that need to be repaired. If you repaired some parts of your deck before winter, check to see if they are still in good condition or if more work needs to be done. Extra care needs to be taken with wooden parts of the deck, such as joists, railing posts, and stairs, as they are more susceptible to damage than sections of WPC material.
Here are some signs of possible surface damage:
If you notice any of these problems, you should call a professional to take a look. Don’t neglect or put off repairing your deck, joists, railings, or stairs because they will get worse over time, making repairs more expensive and difficult to do.
After winter, you’ve inspected your deck and now it’s time to clean up for spring. Wash off any remaining ice melt and remove any snow or ice water. If you want, you can wash your deck again. Once your outdoor deck is dry, you can put back all your furniture, planters, trellises, lighting, and decorations.
In addition to the above protection work that needs to be done, there are some different measures to take to protect your outdoor deck depending on your living environment.
If you have trees near your yard, check the branches before winter and cut off any branches that look weak. Weak branches can break in cold weather or when snow accumulates. If the tree is near your porch, a broken branch can cause significant damage to your deck.
In addition to checking branches, you need to check the trunk of the tree and the roots and other locations for signs of decay. If you think these trees are dying or are at risk of falling, call a professional to have the tree removed.
If you find that one of these is draining onto your deck, try to move it or change its direction before winter arrives. Once you’ve fixed the problem, you can use a towel, mop, or squeegee to gently push any standing water off your deck.
Icicles may look beautiful, but they can be a danger to you, your house, and your deck. When an icicle breaks and falls, if it’s sharp or heavy enough, it can hurt anything it touches. Icicles can also become ice dams, which can be very dangerous.
Ice dams can form on your roof or in your gutters when icicles and snow melt and then freeze into large clumps, or “dams”. These ice dams prevent water from draining properly from your roof, which can lead to costly and extensive damage. When the ice dams melt or break, the extra water and weight can hurt your deck.
If you have icicles or ice dams near your deck, you should do the following to prevent them:
If you don’t live somewhere with a lot of snow or just want to stay outside in cold weather, there are a few things you can do to make the most of your deck:
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