Why composite wood decking warp and how to fix it?

Outdoor decks may provide you with more than just a beautiful and private environment. It can also improve the aesthetics of your home and make it more gorgeous. In addition, unlike wood decking, composite decking does not warp. As a result, an increasing number of homeowners are opting for composite decking. However, some consumers continue to complain about their composite decking warping. Is this correct? What causes warping in composite decking?

Warping of wood decking can be caused by a variety of factors.

Heat can cause wood decking to warp when the temperature changes. This implies that when the surface of your timber decking is exposed to sunlight, it will distort. The wood deck will heat up and deform over time. The expansion of the wood deck is caused by the sun’s heat. The shape of the trim board will ultimately warp as it cools. As a result, wood decking warping and warping cannot be avoided.

Is composite decking prone to warping?

Composite decking is a synthetic composite made consisting of recycled polymers and wood fibers. Composite wood decking is distinguished from natural wood decking by its high level of durability. When exposed to the sun, composite decking absorbs heat just like other forms of outdoor decking. Then the temperature of the deck rises, and the composite decking expands.

When it becomes hot, composite decking expands, but it does not shrink like wood decking. As a result, unlike wood decking, composite decking does not warp or deform when it expands. If your composite decking warps, it’s almost certainly due to improper installation. So, what causes composite decking to warp in the first place?

What causes composite decking to sag?

Composite decking, unlike wood decking, does not warp when exposed to excessive moisture. The thermal expansion causes the majority of composite warping. The expansion of composites occurs when they are heated. As a result, you’ll need to leave ample room on the floor when installing composite decking.

When heat is absorbed by the wood plastic decking, it expands and comes into touch with a stationary item. As it expands, it may warp. If the composite deck, for example, comes into contact with a wall, it expands with heat and this occurs. As a result, composite decking comes into contact with the wall or is too close to one another. Warping of composite decking boards can be caused by a variety of factors.

How can composite boards be kept from warping?

Whether or not your composite decking will warp depends on how you install it. If you follow the installation instructions to the letter during the process. Then, unlike wood planks, composite decking will not warp. The expansion of composite decking is caused by temperature changes. Only when there is no space between decks does composite decking warp.

Make sure there is enough room between the decks to allow them to grow freely while installing composite decking. When the decking expands in close proximity to each other, the spaces between the boards keep it from warping, preventing the composite decking board from warping. Composite decking manufacturers often recommend installing composite decking with 8 mm of spacing between the deck planks to minimize warping. They also suggest allowing a 15-mm gap between the composite plank and the wall.

What is the best way to repair warped composite decking?

What should we do if your composite decking has started to warp? Is it necessary to hire a professional to repair a warped composite deck? If only one or two parts of the deck are warped, you can attempt to repair them yourself if you have the necessary tools. However, if the majority of the outside deck is warped, it is recommended to have it repaired by a professional. If the warping is especially severe, you may need to totally replace the deck.

After that, we’ll look at how to fix a few bent decking planks. Repairing warped composite decking usually necessitates replacing each individual warped board.

Steps to repair

To begin, determine which part of the outside deck has to be replaced. Then, as precisely as possible, measure the composite decking that needs to be replaced. The depth of the trim board must be taken into consideration while cutting the composite decking.

To cut the warped trim boards, we’ll need a circular saw. Wear protective gear such as gloves and goggles when using the saw, and follow all safety precautions. To avoid harming the joists, do not cut the deck any deeper than the depth of the trim board.

We need to gently remove the trim boards from the frame once we’ve finished cutting them. We may insert the cuts in the trim boards with a pry bar and carefully pry them out of the frame. Remove the remainder of the board after prying off a section of it. Then remove all of the screws that keep the composite deck in place with a screw gun.

Finally, put the new trim panels in place and fasten them. It’s recommended to use the same brand, color, and material when rebuilding a new composite deck. Your outdoor deck will be free of color discrepancies as a result of this.

To sum it up

Although repairing a warped composite deck is not difficult. However, before installing the composite deck board, we should carefully read the installation instructions offered by the composite decking providers. Avoid further damage from non-standard installation.