Introduction of Composite Decking Boards
For nearly 25 years CFC Fences and Decks has been installing decks and fences throughout the state of Utah. From our early beginnings in the late 80’s there were relatively few choices for decking materials. If you wanted a deck built it was built with wood, predominantly from redwood. While this product is durable and very beautiful ( for the first few years) it takes considerable maintenance and care. Each year it requires a sealant to be applied to not only keep the wood looking good but to increase its longevity.
In the late 90’s a new innovative product entered the market place destined to change the market place forever. This product introduced by Trex Company was a composite decking board made from recycled wood and plastic bags. Although only offering one color option it soon began to capture market share by those who preferred an alternative low maintenance product and a product that was far more resilient than its wood competitor. Within a few years Trex introduced several new color options for its decking line with addition options for composite railings as well. Soon other companies begin to enter the market place, somewhat slowly at first and then within a decade the market had seen a dozen or more companies introduce a composite decking board. Almost as soon as these companies would get there product to the market they would be closing their doors. However, three additional composite manufactures besides Trex began to gain a foot hold in the market albeit slowly. Timbertech, Fiberon, and Evergrain were beginning to give the leading Trex manufacture a run for its money. The market was now beginning to get interesting for not only deck builders and contractors in Utah but across the country as well. New innovative composite products and improvements were showing up yearly as these competing manufactures vied for market share. As a result the composite deck board has continued to not only become more popular, more affordable, and more durable than ever before. Color options are almost limitless. Redwood decking it seems has finally met its match. It is a rare thing now to sell or install a redwood deck. When you can choose from a composite deck board that looks like wood, has a 25 year warranty, does not fade, does not stain, is scratch resistant, and is only slightly more expensive than redwood, is easy to see why composite deck boards are taking over the market.