Wood is stained or painted: a semi-transparent stain lasts about two to three years, according to CAA-Québec. Composite, a blend of wood and plastic, is never stained; at Trex, it is cleaned with soapy water once or twice a year. Trex also notes that its boards get hot in the sun.
By the DV Groupe team · Updated · 2 min read
01
Two materials, two ways to live with them
Wood
Stained or painted, in the colour you want
Semi-transparent stain: about 2 to 3 years (CAA-Québec)
Yearly upkeep avoids heavier work later (CAA-Québec)
Can be sanded and restained over the years
Composite
A blend of wood fibre and plastic; at Trex, 95 % recycled or reclaimed material
Never stained or painted: Trex advises against it
Cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush
Never sanded: sanding changes the look of the surface, Trex says
The composite details come from the manufacturer Trex, as an example. Each brand publishes its own care guide.
02
Heat in the sun
Trex says it plainly in its FAQ: its boards get hot in direct sun on hot days, like concrete, asphalt or sand, and darker colours feel hotter. On a deck that faces south, the colour is also a choice for bare feet.
03
What doesn’t change: the structure
Wood or composite, the decking sits on a structure: posts, beams and joists. DV Groupe builds that structure and lays the decking, then applies the finish when the deck is wood. See deck building.
A deck attached to the house also calls for a contractor with a Régie du bâtiment licence, according to CAA-Québec. Permits in Montreal and Laval are explained in Do you need a permit for a deck?.
Common questions
Does a composite deck need maintenance?
A little: a wash with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Trex recommends cleaning twice a year for its older products; for a pressure washer on its newer products, it says no more than 3100 psi, with a fan tip at least 20 cm from the surface.
Can you stain a composite deck?
Trex advises against painting or staining its composite boards. If you want to change a deck’s colour over the years, wood is the better fit.
What does a wood deck need every year?
Good yearly upkeep, according to CAA-Québec, and a fresh coat of semi-transparent stain about every two or three years.
