The backyard is a symbol of pleasant moments and relaxation. Imagine spending a quiet evening at home lounging in a patio chair, relaxing in your spa, or having a BBQ with friends or family – all in the comfort of your terrace.
In the past, all decks and porches were made from just one material: wood. While this is great, over time, wood can warp or rot, not to mention the constant maintenance and the splinters that might be found on your deck if you walk around barefoot.
In the 1990s, a new material emerged: composite wood or WPC. Many decks were constructed using composite boards – a blend of recycled plastic and recycled wood made to resemble wood. In the early years, these new materials yielded mixed results. They were available in limited colors – and did not resemble wood very closely, but over the past three decades, technologies and manufacturing processes have improved.
We create composite wood products that look better, last longer, and are more cost-effective.
What are the different types of composite wood products?
Solid composite boards: heavier but look more like wood.
Hollow composite boards: lighter, expand and contract less than solid boards.
Most composite deck board manufacturers in North America offer only solid boards. The main reason is due to the quicker and easier manufacturing (extrusion) of these boards compared to hollow boards.
Solid Vs Hollow
Let’s take a closer look at each type of board:
What is a solid composite board?
They look very similar to real wood: if you want a deck that resembles real wood as much as possible without the headaches of real wood, choose a solid core composite deck.
Better sound absorption: solid composite boards absorb walking or running noise much more than hollow composite boards.
No need for end caps: many people who want to use hollow composite deck boards do not appreciate the open end look of the board, and these boards require caps or fascia. It’s also a good idea to use plugs on hollow composite boards to prevent water retention.
They are solid and durable: as much as hollow composite boards.
Some disadvantages of these boards include their weight and tendency to expand, contract, or warp in extreme weather conditions, which can loosen fasteners around the joists. Since solid boards are heavier, it can also be more challenging to build a deck by yourself.
What is a hollow composite board?
They are lightweight: a 16-foot hollow composite board may weigh up to a third less than a solid board. Therefore, it is much easier for you or a professional to work alone with this type of board.
They are great boards for replacement or renovations: if you have an older deck that you initially built with wood and know that the foundation is still in good shape and you want to replace the old deck, hollow composite boards are an excellent choice due to their weight.
They perform better in extreme temperatures and humidity fluctuations: In Canada, the temperature can get extremely cold in winter and extremely hot in summer; solid composite boards expand or contract more than hollow boards over time. As mentioned above, this can lead to loose fittings and warping of the boards. If you live near the coast where humidity levels can be high or in a city that experiences these temperature fluctuations, hollow composite boards are your best choice.
Hollow composite boards are solid and durable: many people have the preconceived notion that a hollow composite board automatically means it will be weaker than a solid board. Hollow boards, also known as engineered boards, are not completely hollow – they have ribbed centers. Think of the internal structure of a hollow board like a honeycomb. This structure allows it to have incredible strength and sturdiness while maintaining a lightweight.
It is easier to run cables: many people enjoy listening to music outdoors or installing quality lighting. It is much easier to run wires for speakers or lights with hollow boards.
Hollow composite boards can be less resistant to impacts – so if you drop a heavy object, it may crack more easily. Hollow boards look a bit less like wood and require caps or edge boards at the ends – which can retain water if the caps are not properly secured and lead to decay.
So why does NewTechWood offer a hollow composite board?
NewTechWood is one of the few companies in North America to offer a premium hollow board, and we do this for several reasons.
A 16-foot hollow board is up to 32% lighter than a solid board. That’s up to 10 pounds. A hollow board exerts less pressure on an older substructure than the heavier solid boards, allowing for a stronger foundation.
Building or remodeling a deck with wood or even solid composite boards usually requires two or three people to accomplish the task. This is because these materials are much heavier than hollow composite panels. You’ll need a friend to move solid composite boards or wood.
If you are not a DIY enthusiast and want to hire a professional to build your deck for you, they will accomplish the task much faster using hollow composite boards than other materials.
By offering hollow composite boards, NewTechWood also recognizes that some people looking to build a deck will be mindful of their budget. As you’ll see below, the price difference between a hollow composite board and a solid composite board can make a significant difference between having a beautiful deck or none at all.
What is the difference in strength between solid and hollow composite boards?
People often think that hollow boards are much less strong than solid boards due to their holes. This is not true – the interior of our hollow board is made of arches that make the boards as strong as solid boards.
The International Code Council (ICC) sets the industry standards for construction through the International Building Code (IBC), the International Residential Code (IRC), and the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) – many areas in the United States as well as international communities have adopted these standards. This means the standard maximum span is 16 inches on center, meaning the joists of the substructure cannot be more than 16 inches apart center to center.
Installation guides for solid composite boards from many manufacturers specify a span of less than 16 inches on center, while the ICC evaluates NewTechWood’s hollow composite boards at 16 inches on center, so you can be assured that our boards have been assessed and meet these recommendations.
The manufacturing of our hollow composite boards allows you to have your hot tub, BBQ, and patio furniture worry-free. Plus, you don’t have to worry if you endure one of those intense winter storms and look out the window at your deck wondering, “Can the deck hold all this snow?” Indeed!
What is the price difference?
The manufacturing process at NewTechWood is unique: hollow composite boards require less material during production, which means they are cheaper to make.
You will also save money since it is easier to build your deck yourself than to hire a professional, which could save you hundreds of dollars. If you hire a professional, decks built with our boards are easier to transport and place, meaning the deck will be constructed much more quickly, resulting in lower labor costs.
Using hollow composite boards will allow you to make the most of your budget, giving you a beautiful deck at a reduced cost.
Since 2004, we have been working hard to stay at the forefront of technology in the manufacturing of composite wood products. Our goal is to provide you with attractive products that will allow you and your family to fully enjoy your backyard.
If you are a distributor and want to offer some of our products, or if you are an owner interested in using our excellent range of products to build your deck and want to know where you can buy NewTechWood products, here are the ways you can contact us:
Through our contact form if you are interested in distributing our product or if you have any questions.
Using our where to buy tool to find a contractor or retailer near you.
