Everyone experiences this. This is one of the major caveats of synthetic decking, no matter who makes it. The only way to counter it is to cover it. Could be a structure that allows in diffused light ,like a pergula. Or maybe one of those motorized awnings.
Ron

TT T&G material is deffently the coolest to walk on of all composites its not the material used in making it but the ventalation area provided underneith , that is its not solid. Any of the solid plank type composite decking is sometimes hot to walk on exposed to direct sunlight on a really hot day. So is ipe far as that goes. J

If this T&G product is the coolest to walk on, I'd hate to feel the other stuff. I purchased it because I was told it didn't get hot and didn't splinter. So far we've got 50% of what we were told by TimberTech. Even under my pergola it is hot so I guess I am going to need to cover that. I've got a little over 1000 sq ft of this stuff and it never sees the shade.

Is there a product out there that doesn't retain the heat even in direct sunlight? I can't be recommending this to my customers.

I installed a TT deck in December. Now it is June. I live in Southern Ca. It has been in the 70's and 80's deck is. We have a daycare with 14 children between the ages of 4 months and 4 years.
Half of the deck is open to the sun and the other half is shaded. It does warm up but the kids still walk on it.
It will be in the 90's and 100's in July and August.
It should be interesting to see what happens than.
Even my wood deck would get hot than during that time.

Introducing Dirt Deck half price sale going on now 1 gal/5gal pails for the decortave touch we also recemond Grass Seed also on sale for a limited time.

Combined the DDGS deck has been shown to be very cool to the touch with no maiantance required!!! Thats Right!! 0 maiantance!! There is a small disclainer we will gladly send intersted homeowners about grass height and moisture required.

Hooooooo I am so sorry,I forgot DDGS can be had on line at wwwiwouldcomplainifigothungwithabrandnewrope.com

Lighten up Man,the thing is you have installed the coolest to walk on material in hot direct sun there is. If it was the 5/4'' planks warming up the kids feet I could see it but not TT T&G Im not kidding its the best in the sun of any decking far as walking on it goes. Its also one of the highest price material on the market.
Mabey you and the chillens have supper reactions to heat on the feet or it could be global warming has a hole over there with a magnfing lens aimed directley on your deck but other than that I have 30 or so projects out using TT T&G exposed to the okie sun including the 110 heat last year. By no means will they literally burn bare feet or any other body part.

But say it does like you say Idea!!>>> install a mist system they are really easy to put up and fairly cheep just screw them into a garden hose most of the box stores/garden centers will probley have them on sale this time of year. It cools down the deck,the kids love it,no problem hurting the TT, with fans and colored lights combined with the mist set up in the right place the kids would fawn and take out the trash every time, you will be the talk of the block,all the kids will want to come over Life Is Good!!!And your right I am a smartass but my Wallets love me even on angies list. J

Hi John,

I just realized with this posting that research online really pays off. One month ago or so I began researching materials for our uncovered, 10' x 10' raised front porch. I was convinced that Cedar T&G was the way to go. But I went to the local lumber yard and held that imported Ipe wood in my hand that you talked about so often, just because of you. Wow! you're right! wonderful wood! Then I went to the local BIG BOX and found lots of composite samples, one was TT T&G. So I continued to read A LOT more on line about all these options, and the kinds of questions that other people asked on-line and HOW a GC answered them, and then I sat down quietly and weighed the options for myself at home,

on my own.

If I may say this, humbly speaking, there is no sales pitch in the world that can provide the best kind of answer for any one person, and I used to be in sales!. Quick answers are never dependable and neither are the opinions of others, not even here on-line.

But not many people can or want to take the time to do what I think is proper research. It really does take a lot of time. For me, the best answer is always the slow home-grown answer. I too asked "several people" in our neighborhood and they said go wood! For God sakes! (We live in the historic district you know La Dee Da..I even went to our local historical society for help on my restoration questions, but couldn't even get the original footprint, let alone an idea of the design or materials used back in 1922.... ok conversation for a later post) and with all this I'm still thinking TT T&G is best for us. There goes the neighborhood!

The point is, my husband would be as angry as Brian if he based his decision on the TT marketing pitch from Brian's original post and the opinions of others. And that IS EXACTLY how my husband (and most people) would make their decisions about TT..but not if I were queen! (and at home here I AM queen!) :0)

So I'm not surprised Brian was angry, I am however, a little surprised that he proclaimed himself "pissed" on a public forum. It's alittle like spitting in the wind, wouldn't you say?

Luckily my husband has no patience AT ALL for research or on-line forums so he lets me loose and I get to go on-line with all you folks and have ... all the fun. (?) :0)

At this point, I am very confident that I know what is best for our home and the likelihood of future maintenance (or lack thereof) was heavily involved in the choice of material for our front porch. My decision is TT T&G. AND If my husband agrees with my answer and he will...after my sales pitch.. and believe me I can sell TT now, after all this time and effort... I know I'll be able to handle any kind of hot feet, hot seat, hot tempered comments that come our way. I just wish I had your come backs John. Oh my God, DDGS is hysterical. And it's not a slam against you Brian, we are ALL learning here.

Brian, at 1000 sq ft of TT T&G I KNOW how much you spent on your deck. I don't know why TT marketing has to play tricks like that, who cares about the molecular structure of the pigments? In Chicagoland the winters are brutal and our feet suffer all year long .. in boots or barefeet. I burned my feet more times than I'd like to admit on wooden bridges covered by oak trees in the neighborhood wherre I grew up. If TT is "similar" to wood, ya can't ask TT to perform miracles beyond the natural elements, even if it's an UNnatural product.

YOU made the right choice Brian. You will love your deck, your kids will love the deck, just help it alitttle with some mist or alittle more shade when you know the day will be hot. I know it sounds like a bother but it still beats the maintnance of wood, which by the sounds of it (and my personal experience), would be burning your kids feet anyway in the direct sunlight.

I'd like to know how you supported the deck? What lumber did you use? How did you space it underneath? Why did you choose your chosen material for under the deck and did you have to train any of your craftsmen? (ie, discuss the installation in detail?) And BTW, who are your customers that would take a TT recommendation from you? Are you in construction?

I'd sure prefer TT to setup a live customer service operation where real answers can come to consumers who need to think out their own answers. TTcould save a lot on marketing costs and copy writing that basically says nothing and confuses people.

But then only I would want that job and they can't pay me enough for that!
(I think?)

:0)

Kathy

Think this post is long enough?

I rarely read messages about composite decks because I never built one, and I have nothing to add...but I'm glad I opened this one because I like to laugh...yet don't get enough opportunities. Johnmon, thanks for the chuckle.

Brian,
I don't know what you expect this forum to do for you. There aren't many options for your situation, and they were already listed.

more shade
misting system
DDGS system

here's another...get your kids those rubber shoes that I see some people wear to the beach, flip-flops, or socks.

and another...astroturf/indoor outdoor carpet

another...paint the deck white

or (you won't like this one)...let their little feet feel the heat till they get calloused.

You have a pool, and a 1000 sq' deck. those are some lucky kids. I don't have either of those things...no kids either.

steve

Kathy... here is why I am upset. "Pissed" was somewhat strong but like you say, you know the money I spent so hopefully you can understand why I'm upset. I spoke to two local lumber yards that I use (yes I'm in construction). I spoke to a supplier of composite decking in Texas. I spoke to a deck maker in Arizona. I spent the time talking to the people in the warmest parts of the country. The general concensus was the TT product would be cooler. I didn't even notice that snipet on the TT website until the other day when I made that post. I can tell you I've walked on several decks over the past few days and mine is warmer. Not sure if it matters, but mine is the light gray.

Future maintenance was an issue but splinters (again thinking children) and heat were the main issues.

As far as shade goes, we have none except under the pergola but that varies. The larger trees were removed on purpose because of the damage previously done by Hurricanes.

Panama City Beach boardwalks are made using something like TT. It is the solid pieces instead of the T&G like I have. We've walked on those for years and never had an issue even on days in the upper 90's. That was another reason I went with composite. I only selected the T&G flavor to hide the screws.

-----------

Steve...yes I have a pool, a deck, children, and other things. I am very lucky with what I have.

Sorry you are disappointed with your choice.

Reviewing specs and marketing claims are one way to start the information-gathering process, but the ONLY way you are going to know how ANY material is going to perform in YOUR specific conditions is to do your own on-site testing.

We started gathering composite samples more than a year before we actually built our deck. We kicked them around, spilled stuff on them, let them bake in the sun all summer long, left them outside through the New England winter, soaked them in puddles, and believe me, I STOOD on those samples barefoot in all weather conditions more times than I can count.

We went with TT and are loving it. Is it perfect? Of course not. None of the others were either. Nothing in life is. But we made a qualified decision that works for us.

I think the "flip-flops until feet toughen up" sounds like a good approach. I remember growing up how tender my feet were when the shoes came off at the start of summer vacation, and how by the time school started, the soles of my feet looked like tire tread (may not be the look you are after.)

But I must say there was NOTHING on the TT site that mentioned that if TT is used as a railing topper, that the place where the squirrels launch themselves across the gap by the stairs will eventually show toe-nail marks :o)

Susan

Hi Brian,
You still bring up a good point (for me). Why would the composite on boardwalks in town be "cooler" than your deck? Do they get ANY shade? I can't imagine they used expensive material for a boardwalk. Probably the thick, less expensive Trex like stuff? Yes, that's a slap in the wallet.

I don't know this, but, is a boardwalk set near sand? or water? or wind? Am I right? And I wasn't kidding when I asked you about how your deck was constructed underneath. What kind of venting? or spacing? or ground material do you have?. I am interested in what you chose to do underneath 1000 sq ft.. It really does matter. Sounds like you have your own sauna building up below the deck?

TT T&G has that great thinness, and I love how the screws are hidden on T&G. I was also hoping the thinness (yet sturdy construction) of TT T&G would keep our deck even cooler, more than the other solid composite planks I've seen. BUT Brian, I'll bet that if you went cheaper you'd never get your deck cool until December (by the sounds of your environment).

You also caught my eye when you said you picked the light grey color. That will be my choice too.
HMMM :0) I'll let you know what happens to us. We're still going with TT T&G sometime this summer. I know we'll be OK with TT, I've got other concerns now, including masonry and electrical. This is my first experience working with a GC and an architect and zoning codes. As you can see, I write alot when I'm nervous.

Anyway, we are lucky because we have a lot of venting space under our small 10 x 10 porch, and we only get harsh, uncovered western exposure from noon- 3pm. I'm thinking the TT thiness will actually bring out the coolness underneath the deck even better than the thick composite planks would (in OUR case).

Susan probably gave you your best answers. I would never have thought to test out sample boards for a year or even know how to ask for them. Hats off to you Susan on that kind of research. Or should I say "flip flops off to you?"

Ok, that's it for now. Nobody is reading this post anyway except for you and me? Hang in there Brian.

Kathy

We had no problems getting samples - but not at the big box stores. Try independent or semi-independent home centers, lumber yards, etc. Most of the time we found the samples (generally 6-inch sawed-off sections) stacked near the sample decks/porches. If we didn't see a sample of a material or color that we were interested in, a store rep could often find something "out back", or they would just give us a post cap or some small piece.

Susan

Kathy,

The boardwalk that I am speaking of NEVER gets shade and they were also grey. It is right on top of the sand which is very hot too. The start of the boardwalk is probably 400 ft from the water.

Underneath my deck is basically open. It is north florida red clay. The sides are covered in latice. There is a constant flow of air "down there" and it is actually fairly cool down there.

Brian,

If the boardwalk was cooler to the touch than your deck, maybe the difference is the gaps on the boardwalk...more ventilation than the T&G.

Maybe you can set up a sprinkler to wet the deck at intervals...on a timer.

steve

See, this thing just is not with in reason. J

J,

what are you saying dude? tipping tecates?

steve

We are getting ready to replace our 1700 sq ft deck around our geodesic dome in Washington State. I really appreciate all the comments. I have been doing a bunch of research and asking people that build, sell decking, etc. The main concern I hear/see is fading of composite (all brands). We saw some that was sitting in a lumberyard that looked terrible--dark green and black spotted algea(it had been returned after not being used for about a year was the explanation by the worker). I am real suspious now of using composite to have a beautiful deck after even 3 years since the shaded areas could end up being hideous next to the faded ares.

One contractor showed us a small composite deck in full sun that was white after about 2 years--it had started out a beautiful wood tone.

The fading is an issue with all composite from what I read/hear AND you cannot paint it. You can clean it, but when you read the warrantee, pressure washing voids it on some of the brands so hopefully there is some good product (30 Seconds?) that would make this twice yearly chore easy.

I understand that large amounts of money is being spent in advertising--how it lasts a lifetime, is easy to work with, uses recycled material, etc. The real test is time. What will our deck look like in 5 years and will it need replaced again because it looks bad? I have written 3 manufacturers asking for decks that I can look at that have been installed for over 5 years. So far, no response.

Unfortunately, a geodesic dome like ours wouldn't look right without the raised deck, but I'm still researching....

I would think that lawsuits are going to need to happen to prevent manufacturers from lying about "cool to the touch", etc.

We have had the preserved wood deck for 30 years. It requires staining about every other year (Behr) which seems high maintanence, but it lasted
AND looked great.

Kathy,

Here are some pictures for you that show the underside of the deck as well as the top.

Brian

Here is a link that might be useful: Deck & Pergola pictures

Odd, I've always felt the gray colored composites were the lest hot to the touch. If it's that much of a concern I would take up John's suggestion on the misting system.

Al

Brian, All I can say is WOW! Beautiful pool & deck.
Our yard is too small to have anything that great, I would
love to have a pool! Go to the dollar store & buy flip flops or some other cheap slip ons for everyone on the deck!
ENJOY the deck, you are lucky to have it!
(I'm jealous)

Bottom line is, all composite decking get to about 130 degrees in direct sunlight. Wood decking to about 110 degrees. If you want a maintainence free deck, no such thing, all decks need to be cleaned and cared for. If John is a contractor using TT products, of course he is going to say anything nice about this product, because he already lied to all his unsuspecting customers that he overcharged for this product. Irowood Decking hands down is the most beautiful, best product on the market, period. The cost is extremely expensive but if you are going to throw your money away on composite decking anyway, why not buy the stuff that will last 50 years.

Hello everyone, chiming in on this a little late in the game, but check out this heat test done in the PNW:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlijcM6lKre/?taken-by=norcal_craftsman https://timbertech.com/store/catalog-and-samples/whitewash-cedar---4-in-sample 

Hope that helps!

AZEK

I'd love to hear recent feedback on TimberTech AZEK PVC decking (as opposed to composite) since this post is from 14 years ago... have they improved the product so it stays cooler as they claim in this article? https://whatsupmag.com/news/sponsored/enjoy-your-space-with-heat-resistant-composite-decking/

I just had s timbertrch, azek deck installed last fall. other than it looking nice and easy care, im not impressed.

in the winter, it gets very slippery when there is any frost or snow. my dog has slipped counlless times.

Now that summer is here, i cant even enjoy it! First, it gets way too hot, but worse,, it off-gasses very badly.

i can not tolerate sitting outside on s sunny day because it stinks like chemicals. i cant even leave windows or screen doors open on that side of my house, or the entire house fills with the fumes.

i have read that pvc off-gas is quite toxic. i am so disappointed that i cant enjoy my deck, at least not on sunny days.