For those of us in the Pacific Northwest, we know how rough the elements are on the exteriors of our homes. Decking is one of those things that can really take a toll from the 8-9 months of constant rain we seem to get. We all know wood is a poor choice if you want something that will look good and last with little maintenance. So, most people are choosing “composite” decking material- which is a really a misnomer for any kind of non-wood decking material.
But there is a lot more to it than that. Composites are materials, that by definition, are made of one or more various parts or elements. The problem with composites in that sense is that the different materials (plastics and wood) all expand at different rates that can the product to tear apart itself at a structural level. That issue is compounded when the products are made partly of wood, that once wet begin to swell and rot. This leads to the appearance of a the material bloating and tearing apart- almost what happens to an aspirin if it gets wet.
At Polar Bear, our solution is to use a product that is made of almost 100% PVC (we say almost 100% because colors, dyes and other coatings are added for aesthetic purposes). PVC or poly vinyl chloride is a synthetic plastic that is a very versatile and in-destructive. I always like to remind people that sprinkler pipes are made of PVC, and they can be buried in the ground forever without any threat of water or moisture damaging the material. It also takes itself well to holding a color or stain and resists fading, warping and cracking.
The brand we recommend and use is Azek- the leader in residential PVC building products. They have the best warranty in the industry and offer a wide collection of colors and grains to give a beautiful look of natural wood. They also manufacture beautiful railing systems and lighting upgrades to take your deck to the next level. Give us a call at 877.948.2327 for more information on Azek decking and other ways we can transform or create your own personal outdoor living area!