Are Composite Decks Hotter Than Wood?
Are Composite Decks Hotter Than Wood?
Some people who are considering a capped composite deck have questions about the surface temperature of composite vs wood decking. Are composite decks hotter than wood? If so, is this a problem?
This is a reasonable question because capped composite decking does get a bit warmer in full sun than other decking materials.
Here’s why it doesn’t matter and why it may even be an advantage for many custom decks.
In one test of the surface temperatures of various decking materials, composite decking came out the hottest when exposed to full sun on a day with an air temperature of 86ºF (30ºC).
However, the composite decking was only slightly hotter than stained wood decking. Both might be uncomfortable to a barefoot, a baby, or a young child at mid-day in July or August.
While unpainted wood had the coolest temperature compared to other decking materials, it was still hot enough to be uncomfortable on bare feet for many people when exposed to full-sun on a hot day.
Besides, building a deck with unfinished wood is inadvisable for many reasons including splintering, warping, and fading of color and texture.
Michigan decks are exposed to average temperatures well below 86º for most of the year. The hottest monthly average high temperature is only 82º ((27.7ºC) for the greater Detroit area.
In spring and fall when air temperatures range from the mid-50s to the low-70s (13º-23ºC), having a composite deck that retains heat more efficiently can be an advantage in our area.
The warmer temperature of composite decking material may make the deck more comfortable to use for a more substantial part of the year.
For peak-heat months when the sun is the hottest, you have many choices for keeping your composite custom deck cool and comfortable.
If you are concerned about your new deck getting too hot in the summer, here are some of the ways you can keep capped composite decking cooler in hot weather:
• Choose a lighter color of decking material
• Build your deck where it gets mid-day shade from trees or buildings
• Install a wood or fiberglass pergola over all or part of the deck
• Use a retractable umbrella to create shade when and where you need it
• Install an awning over the deck
Decking Color
Composite decking comes in a wide choice of shades and colors, including:
• dark brown
• light brown
• pecan
• brick red
• light grey
• slate
Lighter grey and brown colors do not heat up as much as darker colors, so chose one of these colors if you are concerned about deck surface temperature in summer.
Deck Location
If possible, build your deck where at least some of the surface is in the shade during peak sun hours in summer.
If your location does not have any existing shade from vegetation or buildings, consider planting fast-growing shade trees or other plants to block full-sun in summer months.
Installing a Pergola
Pergolas are attractive additions on many custom decks. A pergola provides shade with a lattice roof as well as a simple, upright structure, which can become a framework for climbing plants or hanging shade cloth.
Awnings and Umbrellas
Retractable umbrellas have the advantage of mobility: You can quickly move one around to different parts of the deck as needed. Shade umbrellas are available as part of an outdoor table unit and also come as free-standing units.
Awnings are attached to the house and can cover all or part of a deck. Awnings can be fixed or retractable, and retractable installations are usually better suited to Michigan weather.
A capped composite deck may be slightly warmer to the touch on a hot summer day, but you may find this characteristic an advantage at other times of the year.
With the many advantages of composite decking over other decking materials, the surface temperature in hot weather is a minor consideration.
For more information about custom Michigan decks, contact Custom Deck Creations at (734) 931-6700.
Some people who are considering a capped composite deck have questions about the surface temperature of composite vs wood decking. Are composite decks hotter than wood? If so, is this a problem?
This is a reasonable question because capped composite decking does get a bit warmer in full sun than other decking materials.
Here’s why it doesn’t matter and why it may even be an advantage for many custom decks.
Surface Heat in Composite vs Wood Decking
In one test of the surface temperatures of various decking materials, composite decking came out the hottest when exposed to full sun on a day with an air temperature of 86ºF (30ºC).
However, the composite decking was only slightly hotter than stained wood decking. Both might be uncomfortable to a barefoot, a baby, or a young child at mid-day in July or August.
While unpainted wood had the coolest temperature compared to other decking materials, it was still hot enough to be uncomfortable on bare feet for many people when exposed to full-sun on a hot day.
Besides, building a deck with unfinished wood is inadvisable for many reasons including splintering, warping, and fading of color and texture.
Michigan decks are exposed to average temperatures well below 86º for most of the year. The hottest monthly average high temperature is only 82º ((27.7ºC) for the greater Detroit area.
In spring and fall when air temperatures range from the mid-50s to the low-70s (13º-23ºC), having a composite deck that retains heat more efficiently can be an advantage in our area.
The warmer temperature of composite decking material may make the deck more comfortable to use for a more substantial part of the year.
For peak-heat months when the sun is the hottest, you have many choices for keeping your composite custom deck cool and comfortable.
How to Keep Composite Decks Cool in Summer
If you are concerned about your new deck getting too hot in the summer, here are some of the ways you can keep capped composite decking cooler in hot weather:
• Choose a lighter color of decking material
• Build your deck where it gets mid-day shade from trees or buildings
• Install a wood or fiberglass pergola over all or part of the deck
• Use a retractable umbrella to create shade when and where you need it
• Install an awning over the deck
Decking Color
Composite decking comes in a wide choice of shades and colors, including:
• dark brown
• light brown
• pecan
• brick red
• light grey
• slate
Lighter grey and brown colors do not heat up as much as darker colors, so chose one of these colors if you are concerned about deck surface temperature in summer.
Deck Location
If possible, build your deck where at least some of the surface is in the shade during peak sun hours in summer.
If your location does not have any existing shade from vegetation or buildings, consider planting fast-growing shade trees or other plants to block full-sun in summer months.
Installing a Pergola
Pergolas are attractive additions on many custom decks. A pergola provides shade with a lattice roof as well as a simple, upright structure, which can become a framework for climbing plants or hanging shade cloth.
Awnings and Umbrellas
Retractable umbrellas have the advantage of mobility: You can quickly move one around to different parts of the deck as needed. Shade umbrellas are available as part of an outdoor table unit and also come as free-standing units.
Awnings are attached to the house and can cover all or part of a deck. Awnings can be fixed or retractable, and retractable installations are usually better suited to Michigan weather.
Conclusion
A capped composite deck may be slightly warmer to the touch on a hot summer day, but you may find this characteristic an advantage at other times of the year.
With the many advantages of composite decking over other decking materials, the surface temperature in hot weather is a minor consideration.
For more information about custom Michigan decks, contact Custom Deck Creations at (734) 931-6700.
