The Top Questions Homeowners Want Answered About Composite Decking

One of the top reasons that homeowners choose to work with professional contractors is because they believe the person who does this for a living must know which products will perform best over time. They rationalize that builders must be constantly educating themselves about the latest and greatest new products – and weeding out the ones that don’t measure up.

This is true for most home improvement projects, including adding or remodeling a composite deck. Customers often rely on contractors for their expertise and decking recommendations because they don’t have the time (or desire) to do very much research on their own. After all, when every manufacturer of composite decking, fasteners, and railings says that their product is superior to every other one, it can be nearly impossible for a homeowner to know who to believe.

In New England, clients tend to respond favorably to a locally made decking products. Why?  Because they believe it is likely hold up to the harsh weather conditions we experience throughout the year. Working with a local decking manufacturer has business benefits too; faster turnaround times and direct access to company management. When deck builders incorporate these “local” benefits into their total value proposition to clients, it can make for a powerful and unique one-two punch that can further differentiate your business from competitors.

Composite Decking FAQs … And Answers

Here’s our short list of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) that decking contractors should be prepared to answer for their customers:

1. How will it look? How will it feel to walk on?  First and foremost, every customer wants a deck that looks good and offers a certain aesthetic appeal for them – and their neighbors. Deck builders should be ready to present a line of composite decking products that offer plenty of choices of colors in multiple price ranges. For example, DuraLife composite decking is available in both variegated and non-variegated colors, textures and wood-like appearances. Customers can also choose between different hidden fastening systems, including the new Step-Clip™system that reduces installation time by half.

2. Am I getting the best value for my money? Every customer will have some dollar amount in mind when they first consider adding a deck to their home. It’s important for contractors to quickly identify this number to develop a quote that’s within the customer's expected range. Selecting a composite decking manufacturer that can deliver the same aesthetics at several price points allows builders to deliver a great looking, durable deck to fit most budgets.

Unlike some manufacturers, DuraLife composite decking produces all of its colors in distinct levels of performance, value and function. This eliminates the frustration customers often feel when they learn that the color combination they like the best is only available at the highest price level.

3. What about value? How long will my new composite deck last? When a customer makes an objection to the (high) price of a project, what they are really questioning is its value. Deck builders must be prepared to explain the difference between the high-quality composite materials they use and those of their competitors. All decking composites are not made the same way, or with the same ingredients. Not only will this affect how long the product lasts, but also what the homeowner will be required to do in order to maintain it. DuraLife’s unique capped composite technology, is stain, fade, and mold resistant.

While these features may increase the cost of materials for the project, contractors should also communicate the ‘value’ of the minimal amount of maintenance and cleaning the product will require of the homeowner over its lifetime.

4. Safety and Environmental Impact. What is the composite decking made of? Homeowners are increasingly concerned about how and where their products are made. Additionally, customers want assurances that the products they encounter are safe and cause minimal impact on the health of the environment throughout its lifetime. Contractors should be prepared to reassure their clients that the composite decking choices they offer are sustainably produced. 

Manufactured with both post-industrial and post-consumer recycled content with a maximum recycled content of up to 90% by weight, Duralife Decking contains no toxic chemicals or preservatives. In fact, contractors should also explain that DuraLife Decking can even contribute towards LEED green building points and positively impact other green building rating systems.

5. Reliability and Reputation. What if something happens to my new deck? For many homeowners, adding an outdoor living space such as a new composite deck, is a significant investment. With that in mind, contractors should proactively promote not only the quality of the craftsmanship that will go into the project, but also the durability and performance of the products they will be installing. After the sale is made and the project is completed, customers want to know that if some damage occurs to their deck – within a reasonable amount of time – that the builder and the manufacturer of the materials they’ve chosen to use will stand behind their work and make things ‘right’ again.

DuraLife’s unique polypropylene hardwood composite decking outperforms other wood decking and composite products, making it the ideal choice for deck contractors to install. DuraLife also offers a 25-year limited product performance warranty that includes stain and fade resistance. At the end of the day, homeowners just want to be able to enjoy their outdoor deck space as soon as possible, for as long as possible, without spending too much time maintaining it.

Best Practices for Composite Deck Builders

To maintain a top-notch reputation, the best practice for decking contractors to follow is to limit the number of composite decking choices they offer a customer by partnering with a manufacture who offers the greatest variety of styles, aesthetics and price ranges.

 

This article is made possible by DuraLife. DuraLife’s unique polypropylene and hardwood composite decking materials simply outperform all other wood and composite decking products. More solid and safe under foot, DuraLife decking is backed by a 25-year warranty. It is stain and fade resistant, mold and mildew resistant, and is available in the colors and deck railing options you want. Get Samples, try our Composite Deck & Railing Visualizer, or contact DuraLife now to learn more.