Will Composite Decking Become Slippery in Winter?

Snow, ice, and frost can make any outdoor surface hazardous, including decks. Traditional wood decks often become slippery due to moisture, causing decay, warping, mold, or dirt buildup. If you’re considering composite decking, you might wonder: Does it get slick and dangerous, too?

Yes, composite decking can become slippery in the winter owing to ice and snow accumulation. Although some high-quality composite wood flooring has improved slip resistance, proper maintenance can significantly reduce the risk of slipping. For example, promptly remove accumulated snow and ice, and regularly clean the wood flooring to prevent mold and algae growth.

Why Do Decks Get Slippery in the Winter?

Composite decking is constructed of wood fibers and recycled plastics. In cold weather, ice can form on it, the trash can diminish friction, or organic matter like algae can build up and make it slippery. Composites don’t rot like wood does, but they can still freeze if water collects on them. That uncapped or older composites are more likely to slip, whereas textured or capped models work well.

Choose boards with textures that don’t slip, and clear the snow right away to lower the hazards. In addition, you can use outdoor deck waxes and sealers to improve the walkability of your deck. This is another way to improve the slip resistance of your deck during the winter months. Those who have composite decks can use their outside spaces all winter long by following these measures.

Solid Capped Composite Decking Board CO-03

Capped with an HDPE layer, Capped Composite Decking is made excellent at resisting stains, scratches, weathering, and fading.

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Why Choose Composite Decking?

Composite decking offers numerous advantages. They withstand rain, sun, and snow without cracking or bending. And it’s fade-resistant with a wider color range than wood. It’s eco-friendly (often using recycled materials) and low-maintenance, with no annual sealing required. However, it can still get slippery in winter, though less so than wood if properly maintained.

How to Keep Composite Decking from Icing

Regular Cleaning

If your deck is outside, you can find leaves or other debris on top of it near the end of fall. The accumulation of water by leaves and moss can cause the deck to become more slippery. If you don’t clean it up, it can eventually stain composite decking as well.

When the weather cools off, sweeping leaves off the deck once in a while is a simple technique to prevent composite decking from getting too slippery.

Installing the Decking at an Angle

Installing composite decking at an angle in your yard helps improve the drainage of melted snow and precipitation. By doing this, the quantity of standing water that could freeze in cold conditions will be reduced. The likelihood of deck icing decreases as the amount of standing water decreases. As a result, the composite decking surface will be less slick.

Installing Composite Decking Correctly

The majority of composite decking boards have tiny grooves on one side. Install with grooved or textured sides up for added grip. In addition, Lay perpendicular to foot traffic for maximum traction. It is less likely to slip as a result.

Equip Your Deck with Non-slip Accessories

Additionally, non-slip decking materials and coatings are available. To lessen the possibility of people slipping, this non-slip material or coating can be applied to both wood and composite decks.

You can temporarily add or remove outdoor non-slip mats, strips, and tapes from your garden as the seasons change. This will maintain the safety of high-traffic areas and walkways during icy weather.

How Should I Handle a Freezing Composite Deck?

Employ a Secure Ice Melt

During the winter months, heavy snowfalls cause ice to accumulate on sidewalks and busy highways. Snow removal equipment is therefore often put to full use. The machines first spread salt to help melt the ice, and then the sand and grit on the road to make it safer.

Since wood fibers are used to make COOWIN’s composite wood deck. For this reason, we recommend not using harsh chemicals, grit salts, or adding other color treatments to your composite deck. Your composite deck may get scratches or abrasions from grit. In addition, chemicals and dyes in synthetic antifreeze may discolor or stain the deck.

Opt for calcium chloride (e.g., Safe Step 6300) or magnesium chloride. Based products—they melt ice down to -15°F without damage. Pour warm water for minor buildup, then sprinkle the melt sparingly. Test on a small area first, and the residue rinses off easily.

Timely Cleaning of Composite Decking

You should clean your composite deck as soon as the weather turns warm. Promptly removing any debris or dirt that has accumulated on the boards over the winter will help keep your deck in good condition.

Use a soft-bristled brush to gently comb the deck surface while cleaning composite decking. Next, use a composite deck cleaner or soapy water to remove any remaining grime.

You can clean the composite decking area with a power washer after brushing away the debris. Power wash at ≤1,600 PSI with a fan nozzle, keeping 8-12 inches away to avoid damage.

About COOWIN Composite Decking

The fact that COOWIN composite decking won’t decay, warp, or crack is only one of the benefits it offers over conventional wood decking. Because it needs no upkeep, you can use it all year long.

Still, on chilly winter mornings, frost can affect even composite decking materials. However, there are techniques to avoid having water freeze on your deck’s surface. This helps keep composite decking from becoming slick in high-traffic areas.

There are other ways to prevent your outdoor deck from becoming slippery in addition to using COOWIN composite decking’s wood-grain surface, which is slip-resistant. You can take further precautions to stop ice from building up on the surface of your deck.