Winter is marked with lots of snow and ice. 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. To prevent anyone slipping over and injuring themselves, you should try to keep your decking as clear as possible by sweeping and cleaning it regularly, especially after any bad weather. • A build up of algae on the timber is a common cause • Rotting vegetation and autumn leaves are contributing factors • All these things are made worse by damp environments, with little sun • Colder, longer winters also bring snow and ice • Decking must be cleaned 2 to 3 times a year to keep your deck safe The best way to ensure your composite decking isn’t slippery then is to keep it clean. How-To Americana Deck Ideas Inspired by the HGTV® Dream Home 2021. These areas may be slippery when wet. First Generation Composite Decking: Composite decking’s reputation for slipperiness comes in large part from first generation Trex decking which was quite slipery. NEED SEASONAL PAINTING, SEALING OR STAINING. What Increases Grip on Composite Decking? Wet weather is the bane of any composite decking owner and unfortunately it does somewhat show through in Trex as, due to the smooth surface, Trex can become a little slippery if not given adequate cleaning. wrightt Posts: 195. These products tended to absorb moisture, making them easy to slip on. Make sure to shovel off the snow on your deck and avoid letting it accumulate. Fading and Scratching. Members; 336 posts; Share; Posted May 15. However, rain and the build-up of algae or moss on the timber can make your decking extremely slippery and dangerous. Autumn leaves, rain, damp and frosty weather only compound the problem. In 1986, Bon Jovi released the album Slippery When Wet, giving the world karaoke classics like “Livin’ On a Prayer”, “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “You Give Love a Bad Name”.. A coated deck surface is easy to sweep free of debris, hose down, and even mop if necessary. You may find that your decking becomes slippery for various reasons. Whereas Trex is fade- and stain-resistant, early generation composite decks: Are subject to discoloration and staining over time; Need periodic cleaning with deck wash; Are susceptible to mold and mildew, fading, staining and scratching; TREX VS. PVC. We had a Trex deck installed in 2004. Accumulation of Ice. Does anyoneknow how to stop decking being/getting slippery. Composite decking is maintenance free Decking can get especially slippery in damp environments. Another word for traction is friction. "Most plastic boards are smoother on top than composites, which have a rough texture to improve slip resistance," he says. Would like to know if is safe leading to … Just like composite, PVC can resist rot, termites and mold. Composite Decking - slippery when wet? PVC decking is another low-maintenance alternative to timber. Our composite decking boards are incredibly low-maintenance, and only require a sweep with a stiff brush to remove any debris from the surface. 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 … I was short about 8 - … The deck is not slippery and cleans easily when power washed once a year. Standing surface water may promote the growth of mildew and algae resulting in a much more slippery board. 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. This could be caused by mould, algae or moss growing on your decking. No maintenance or not maintaining your composite decking is one reason it might become slippery during winter. Sadly, the term “slippery when wet” is far less fun and infinitely less awesome when applied to the world of decking surfaces. Trex composite decking lasts far longer than other decking materials, up to 25-30 years….or longer! According to Richmond, who installs plastic and composite decks, all-plastic planks seem to be a little more slippery than regular wood, whereas composites are not. Wooden decking is an attractive addition to many homes and gardens in the UK. The Solution for Slippery Decking. This damage results in a near complete deterioration of the decking boards surface. Using a power washer on the deck can cause damage to its surface which can lead to it deteriorating or rotting more quickly. However, we would still recommend cleaning non slip decking to keep it looking its best. SlipDoctors’ Floor Grip is an effective roll-on anti-slip coating ideal for slippery composite decking surfaces. Calcium chloride or rock salt also can be used to melt the snow and ice from the deck surface. … What Makes Composite Decking Slippery When Wet. You can also use a table saw with support extensions. The greater the level of friction between your shoes and the decking, the less you will slip in the rain or when you wash your deck. Expert Advice, Influencer Q&A with Tastemaker Evette Rios. One concern about nonwood decking is how slippery it can be when wet. This solution to a slippery deck should be chosen with caution. Slippery decking as soon as it becomes wet and concern about walking over it. Even with a build up of algae, anti slip decking will remain slip resistant. However, we would still recommend cleaning non slip decking to keep it looking its best. Again, it seems completely random when this happens, but it happens often enough that you should know about it. Weakening . Often the stairs leading up to a deck provide an emergency entrance and exit to the home and must be kept accessible for safety reasons. Deck Tours Tour Trex At HGTV® Dream Home Through The Years. Keep your deck clean of materials like leaves. Some PVC decking materials can fade or peel as a result of exposure to the elements. Some composite decking won’t move a bit and others have been found to shrink, swell, warp, twist, bow, and any other word you want to use in amounts unheard of, even with wood. FADE OR STAIN. The collection of leaves can be unsafe if they are allowed collect on walkways or stairs. on the site it say it has a 5 year guarantee, so i can let you know in 5 years if it lasts. You don’t have to run out during a snowstorm and shovel it off as it lands, but head out the next morning and remove the snow from the deck. December 2017 in Problem solving. The more the decking grips your shoes, the better, minimizing falls when wet. Homes that have been subdivided into apartments often use a deck for sole and separate tenant access. Ideas. Slippery decks can be a hazard at any time of year, but winter weather can aggravate an already dangerous situation. BECOME FOOD FOR TERMITES. Unlike wood, Trex composite decking won't: ROT, WARP OR SPLINTER. Disclaimer: It is the customer’s responsibility to determine the suitability of Hyperion Decking for their particular private or commercial installation. Advantages of Trex. Another common cause of slippery decking is debris — particularly as the leaves begin to fall during autumn. Composite decking has a textured finish that mimics real wood grain. It seems that under some conditions the coating seal placed on Trex composite decking can fail, exposing it to the elements. Why Composite Decking Can Become Slippery in Winter. We choose to use the non-groovey side, Winchester Gray color. While Trex decks certainly are beautiful covered in snow, it's easy to keep them clear of the white stuff. The Dangers of Slippery Decking. To remove snow from Trex Transcend ®, Enhance ® and Select ® decks, a plastic shovel is preferred over metal. So what now? All types of decking will get slippery when icy, but composite decking seems to worsen in winter than natural wood. The answer is to resolve your slippery decking problem once and for all, with a solution that does the job properly, whilst also not detracting from the natural beauty of timber decking. For a more thorough clean, use a hose to remove surface dirt before scrubbing each deck with warm, soapy water and a soft-bristle brush. Why decking becomes slippery. I did my deck in Trex composite decking, just about 625 sf. Moreover, the availability of color options is quite amazing and much more when compared with other materials. Composite decking is an environmentally friendly lumber alternative that combines plastic and wood fiber. If it snows and you don’t remove it from the surface of your composite decking, the snow will accumulate to the extent that they will cover the … Many Trex deck owners have complained of flaking, deterioration and even in extreme cases virtual disintegration of their Trex decks. Once the rain falls the leaves can become slippery and cause a potential hazard. SEE THE ADVANTAGES. Deck sealer or stain & sealer: $22 to $40 per gallon; Roller with handle, pad and tray: $12 to 40; Pressure Wash the Deck in Extreme Cases. A slippery deck is extremely dangerous and can lead to a serious accident, especially if you have elderly members living in your home. Our engineer worked hard to make sure that our wood grain non-slip decking boards have no flats spots to provide more slip resistance than other composite decking boards in the market. If you live in a region that gets a lot of rain, or you’re planning on building a hot tub into your deck, then Trex boards with a wood embossed surface is a much better choice than Azek boards. Hi, Could anyone either composite decking feedback as to whether it becomes slippery when wet or suffers the same ice rink properties some wooden decks can. Even with a build up of algae, anti slip decking will remain slip resistant. Composite decking … Share ... Posted May 15. treetree. Do composite decks get hot? Gone are the days of attaching chicken wire to your beautiful decking or smothering it in plastic mats on rainy days. Wood deck surfaces, and indeed other outdoor surfaces such as stone flags, become slippery due to the combination of moisture and decaying organic matter. Personally for years i have used anti slip decking paint, but i have found that some years it lasts 4 months some years 6 months, but you don't know it needs redoing until you slip again. You can cut composite decking the same way you would cut any soft pine. But this rough surface composite decking will not become slippery when it is wet. Grooved-channels Surface Non-Slip Composite Decking Our non-slip decking boards have grooved-channels on their … I purchased Havana Gold for the field and Spiced Rum for trim and accents. Composite Decking - slippery when wet? By treetree, May 15 in Off Topic . Can composite decking be cut? Fortunately, the plastic and timber composition of our decking means that they are highly resistant to the effects of this type of growth and therefore impacts the board’s general slip-resistance. This helps make it slip resistant. Better Aesthetics; Trex pressure treated composite looks like wood grain patterns and the saturated colors that result providing a natural finish. That being said i have just purchased anti slip decking strips from a company called Dino Grip. Slippery decking. A power circular saw or miter saw will work. 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