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kassy804

IPE wood deck vs composite

12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I will be putting on a new deck soon and still can't decide between ipe wood and duralife siesta composite. I am lazy and want the least amount of upkeep but I also don't want to be replacing this deck in 10 years because it looks hideous. Does anyone have any feedback they'd like to share? Any luck with duralife siesta vs Azek or Timbertek?

Comments (10)

  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I am always telling clients there is no such thing as a NO maintenance deck, but there is LOWER maintenance. Composite decks are certainly on the lower end in terms of up-keep.
    I've never heard of "Duralife Siesta" so can't comment on that make. The two composites we have worked with are Moisture Shield and Trex as these are typically what is readily available here. I've found the shrinkage / expansion to be more of an issue with the darker Trex colours, not so much with their lighter colour options. Around here most people go with either pressure treated, cedar, or composite ... personally I'm a fan of cedar and I don't mind the maintenance aspect as the "pay off" is that it's the real thing ... plus the smell when working with it is almost as good as fresh bacon ;-) I'd love to do more IPE decks but we just don't get the call for it.
    Some composites come with grooves down either side for using hidden fasteners ... although there are other types of hidden fastener too that do not require pre-made grooves. Alternatively you can attached by screwing through the deck surface ... and there are colour matched screws for this method of install. That choice usually comes down to looks ie. those that do not like the look of all the screw heads.
    As per the last poster the composite does get pretty warm on a hot summer day. It will fade eventually over an extended time period but the IPE also goes a natural grey as it weathers.

    Just to through out another option for you ... http://www.calibamboo.com/bamboodecking.html ... their decking product is made from recycled bamboo fibres and plastics.
    kassy804 thanked Advent Home Solutions
  • 9 years ago
    I built my deck using trex. After some time I realized that because it's in direct light it gets ungodly hot. I wish I had read this article before choosing https://ipewoods.com/ipe-decking-vs-trex-decking/ it's hard to even walk on without spraying it down. It's also fading... hope this helps.
    kassy804 thanked Josh Hansen
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Josh, it's one of the big things that people don't know about. Sorry that happened to you and no one really explained it to you in advance. There are some other concerns with composites as well but we don't want to scare you with them. The biggest problem at the end of the day is that composites are a relatively new product and haven't been tested over time. After their breakthrough in the market and about a decade of being popular they needed to change the composition to a "capped composite" leading one to believe that the first recipe didn't work.

    There are some really interesting studies being done on the these capped composites as well. We never like to hear the stories of how people are unhappy with their decks but just don't deal with composites. If there is something we can do to help, don't hesitate to let us know.

  • 9 years ago

    I ended up going with Azek and am relatively pleased with it. I knew going in that it would be hot in the sun, but my last house had a blue stone patio and I couldn't walk on that barefoot in the summer either. My only disappointment is the staining from any kind of oil. I'm very careful but a guest used spray sunscreen while standing on the deck and now I have 2 perfect footprint outlines. So for anyone using Azek beware of sunscreens and lotions.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Looks nice! You will have to update us in 5 years. When your ready for Ipe let us know.

  • 9 years ago

    I'm coming in late on this but just want to say we went with IPE because it is impervious, lasts forever AND is environmentally sound. Meaning you can throw it in a landfill and it will eventually decompose.......unlike composites.

    We had the screws put in sideways so you can't see them. The only negative thing I can say is that the boards are screwed too close together so drainage is not as great as it needs to be.


  • PRO
    9 years ago

    visualizemaven did you use a fastener system like Deckmaster or ipe clip? Or did you directly drill into the wood?

  • 9 years ago

    clips

  • 5 years ago

    @Advent Home Solutions We are looking to install composite decking for pool and looking at either Trex or Moisture Shield. I see Moisture Shield has CoolDeck product. Is this really cooler than Trex? What are your thoughts on the two? Pros and cons of each? Thanks!