Why Composite Decking is One of the Best Choices for Docks

Docks are essential to a waterfront home. From boat access to fishing or simply getting closer to the water, docks serve important purposes. Choosing the best dock decking material is key if you want to get the most out of your dock and make it an extension of your home. Material selection makes all the difference, whether it's a new dock or new decking materials. Pick the wrong product, and you’ll end up with issues such as splintered wood, cracked vinyl, or out-of-place aluminum. Ever considered composite decking? It’s the easy choice for the ultimate dock, and here’s why.

Understanding Dock Materials

Wood, vinyl, aluminum, and composite are the four materials typically used to construct boat dock decks. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each material, showing you why composite decking for docks works best.

Wood

Wood dock decking is a traditional choice valued for its natural appearance and initial affordability. Easy to install and visually appealing, wood creates a classic look that appeals to nostalgia. However, wood lacks durability against the elements and requires significant maintenance to control twisting, splitting, and splintering. Certain areas of the dock, most specifically the underside, can be difficult and even dangerous to access, adding to the burden of maintaining wood boards. Money saved upfront may soon be spent on ongoing maintenance and material replacement.

Vinyl

Vinyl decking offers various finishes and colors at a reasonable installation cost, making it an attractive option for those looking to customize a dock's appearance. However, like wood, vinyl decking's lack of long-term durability is a significant drawback. Vinyl is made from plastic and therefore susceptible to the effects of weather fluctuations. Extreme temperatures cause the material to contract and expand, and can over time render the decking brittle. Unfortunately, the brittleness of older vinyl used on a dock isn't always apparent, making it potentially dangerous.

Aluminum

Aluminum dock decks are common in marinas, boat ramps, and other marine-type environments. They are durable and will last a lifetime if properly maintained, but they are among the more expensive options and are better suited to commercial applications. Aluminum decking is typically formed of large, prefabricated sections, which, if damaged, can be costly to replace. Also, while aluminum doesn't rust, it does corrode if subjected to non-pure water, such as salt, brackish, or freshwater. While this shouldn’t cause structural issues, it will alter the deck's aesthetic.

Composite Decking

Composite is a product made from a combination of wood dust and plastic film available in a wide selection of colors and finishes. Composite decking is known for its durability, easy maintenance, and pleasing color and grain patterns. Today's composite decking is resistant to rot and mold problems that can crop up with other dock materials. While the installation cost is competitive, the long-term savings in maintenance make up for the initial outlay.

5 Advantages of Composite Decking for Docks

Choosing composite decking for a dock is more than just a practical solution. It connects with deeper values and aspirations that resonate with boating enthusiasts who enjoy time out on the water. Here’s a detailed look at how composite decking excels in durability, maintenance, eco-friendliness, safety, aesthetics, and design, while also aligning with a broader vision for your lifestyle and the environment.

1. Durability

The durability of composite decking isn't just about withstanding the elements--it's about respecting and coexisting with the natural world. Boaters understand the formidable power of nature, from the serene to the stormy, and the toll it can take when ignored.

Because composite decking isn't strictly wood, rot from water ingress or insect attacks isn't an issue, nor is splintering, twisting, or splitting. And, thanks to its engineering, composite material doesn't deteriorate in extreme heat or cold. As composite doesn't contain metal, corrosion isn't something you need to worry about either.

Choosing a material that stands strong against the elements is a testament to your respect for the outdoors you love to explore.

2. Low Maintenance 

The beauty of low-maintenance composite decking is that it retains its vitality with minimal effort. More importantly, it gives back something invaluable: time.

Boat dock decking materials like wood require staining, sealing, and painting, all of which need to be repeated regularly. Not so for composite decking. With a range of colors to choose from, your dock will effortlessly maintain its rich tones for decades to come. To keep composite decking looking as good as new, all that’s needed is regular, simple cleaning. Some soapy water and a soft brush, and you’re good to go.

Your boat demands enough attention to maintain its condition; your dock shouldn't have to. Composite decking lets you spend less time on maintenance and more time on the water, where you belong.

3. Safety

A safe dock doesn't just prevent accidents, it creates an environment where every step is taken with confidence and every moment is free from worry. A splinter-free and stable dock surface lets you, your family, and your friends move freely and focus on the joy of being together.

That is why Trex composites offer you a safe and splinter-free decking material. Consumer confidence in the safety afforded by Trex decking extends not only to private dock owners, but to many large-scale projects across the country.

4. Aesthetics and Designs

One of the reasons composite is a versatile dock decking material is the range of dock ideas and designs it can create. A composite dock can be a seamless extension of the landscape and a tribute to the beauty that calls you to the water. Composite can also be used in a variety of ways, from decking, ramps, and stairs to planters, light columns, and dock storage boxes. Composite decking materials are ideal to ensure your dock harmoniously integrates with your property and the surrounding nature. 

5. Eco-Friendly

Composite decking is a choice that gives back to the environment. Trex is an eco-friendly composite decking and sources its marine dock decking materials with up to 95% reclaimed sawdust and recycled plastic film. Using materials usually destined for landfills, Trex has been able to recycle over 5 billion pounds of plastic film since its inception more than 30 years ago, making Trex one of the largest plastic film recyclers in North America. 

Cost Considerations Around Dock Decking Material

For those who value their property for quality, durability and longevity, Trex decking is a premium choice for a dock application. It's a long-term investment that enhances the aesthetic, functional, and financial value of any waterfront space. With Trex, you invest in fewer repairs, minimal maintenance, and enduring beauty.

In contrast to composite materials, inferior substitutes quickly age, leading to a weathered appearance that not only reduces a dock's aesthetic appeal, but also devalues an investment.

The true cost of materials such as wood and vinyl isn't just in their purchase price, but also in the ongoing maintenance they demand—staining, sealing, repair, and eventual replacement. These recurring costs, alongside the initial installation fees, usually surpass the installation outlay of composite decking within five years. Alternative materials for boat dock decks can become a long-term financial burden, demanding costly maintenance and eventually total replacement.

Using the Trex Decking Calculator, you can estimate the material costs of your ideal dock. Prices are influenced by factors such as location, seasonality, design intricacies, additional features, and material choices. While this initial cost may seem higher than traditional non-composite decking, it's important to consider the long-term cost savings of choosing composite.

Another aspect to consider is the guarantee with products like wood and vinyl. Trex decking offers a limited residential warranty of 25 to 50 years, depending on the product line. A promise of decades-long enjoyment of your dock without worrying about constant maintenance and repairs.

Why Trex Makes a Great Boat Dock Decking Material

Composite decking stands out as a superior choice for boat dock decking installations. Trex offers durability, low maintenance, eco-friendliness, safety, and versatile design options. Unlike traditional materials like wood, vinyl, and aluminum, Trex decking resists rot, mold, splintering, splitting, and brittleness, and requires minimal upkeep beyond simple cleaning.

Using reclaimed materials, Trex contributes to environmental sustainability while ensuring easy maintenance and increased safety for dock users. Its appealing appearance allows for diverse design possibilities, seamlessly integrating your dock with your property. 

While initial costs may seem higher, Trex decking has proven to be a wise long-term investment, saving both time and money with its extended lifespan and warranties. 

Choosing Trex ensures a functional, aesthetically pleasing waterfront space, representing a sustainable and valuable enhancement to any property that you can enjoy for years to come.