Hello, I am looking to build a new deck. looking either 15x15 or 15x20, just one level. I am not sure what material to go with. How hot does composite material get in the summer time? I also have seen aluminum, but haven't seen much about it. The video I saw it was cooler than treated wood. What all needs to be done for cedar? Does it need to be sealed like regular pressure treated lumber? Thank you.

 

I think color is one of the biggest determinants of temperature. Dark decking of any type is hotter than a lighter color.

I have only seen a couple installation of aluminum deck planks. One had a very aluminum sound like clanging an aluminum ladder. Nothing I would want at my house. The other aluminum I saw appeared to be capped or coated with vinyl or some other plastic. It was quite attractive and had a different, not solid sound (???) and was something I might consider.

 

The video I watched on it they used a light grey colored composite and it was about 10 degrees hotter, but the video was a few years old. The aluminum decking was versa deck.

 

Composite is the only thing I would use; I'm not going to put up with the maintenance of PT or cedar. No opinion on the aluminum other than I'm envisioning bleachers, which don't seem attractive as a deck.

 

I painted a house on the river that had aluminum decking on the boat deck, it was the vinyl [?] coated variety. Seemed pretty nice for the limited time I spent on it.

Any wood that isn't stained will turn grey within the first year. Stain will help wood repel water and last longer.

 

Take a look here. I keep this link to show what you will get years in the future with a composite deck!

11 Year Old Composite Deck

I will say the hot feel is like an urban myth, our deck gets full exposure and it has never once been a concern and it certainly does not feel like plastic!

I've always used Timbertech materials so I cant vouch that everything else out available is as good!

 

Mak2492,

If you're still looking at aluminum decking, there are two vendors I know of:
VersaDeck.com, MN and LockDry (Nexaninc.com) AL.

These were both very equivalent vendors but we went with VersaDeck. Shipping costs based on your location might be a consideration.

Two things to consider with aluminum. Because the planking is designed to give you a dry area underneath - you need to have some type of gutter system to route the water away from the exterior facing surface of the wooden deck frame joists where it runs out from the built-in waterproof channels between the deck planks. Otherwise after a few years, it will certainly wear the paint and likely rot the wood.

They actually recommend that your have the aluminum deck boards installed parallel to run with the longest dimension, say the Width of the deck to minimize the runoff to
the narrower sides.

The other consideration is that both companies offer matching railing systems for the decks and stair risers.

The decking is covered with a brick-red vinyl coating that's held up quite well given the south-side facing direction of the deck and the dry under deck area is also a plus.
Hope this helps,
greynold99