Is Trex Decking Slippery
Composite decking s reputation for slipperiness comes in large part from first generation trex decking which was quite slipery.
Is trex decking slippery. Calcium chloride or rock salt also can be used to melt the snow and ice from the deck surface. Sunlight and rain can cause wood to crack or rot and mold growing on decks can also make decks slippery. Some can become slippery easily than others and different conditions could influence this from happening. If there is an ada requirement for slip resistance an appropriate type of paint with grit or grit additive can be applied.
While composite decks are built to last longer than natural wood decks their surfaces aren t impervious to mold and moss and the slipperiness that comes with them. Here is a comprehensive article on how to make your trex decking less slippery. In the spring of 2014 we needed to retrofit a small section of the deck and purchased four 16 gray trex boards which now. The 2012 trex installation guide addresses the issue of a slippery composite decking surface in the following manner.
Maclumber headquartered in bamberg sc is a manufacturer and supplier of plastic lumber used for decking and other outdoor areas. Fading and scratching trex composite decking products are infused with stain resistant fade resistant color throughout the entire board to minimize the look of any surface scratches giving uniform color all the way through. Such spots may be slippery when wet. The deck is not slippery and cleans easily when power washed once a year.
Whether your deck is made of natural wood or composite decking material each can be just as slippery as the other under the conditions described above. With composite decking you don t have to worry about this problem. If you plan to install decks by the pool or in a humid environment such as frequent rain you will first be concerned about the safety of decks. Algae will not grow on composite materials but pollen leaves and other yard debris may cause mold or mildew particularly if trees are near.
Most brands of composite decking have textured finishes to make them slip resistant. It is then important to understand how composite decking becomes slippery and how to prevent it from happening. Composite decking does not splinter or crack and does not become as slippery as solid plastic in winter months. These products tended to absorb moisture making them easy to slip on.
Wood is more likely to have smooth spots created by wear. While trex decks certainly are beautiful covered in snow it s easy to keep them clear of the white stuff. Composite decking has gotten much better over time.