Why OC™ Lumber is One of the Best Composite Decking Materials

Fully synthetic composite decking offers tremendous benefits compared to wood composite and traditional wood decking. With all the synthetic decking options available, homeowners often have trouble selecting the right product. At Owens Corning® Lumber we manufacture decking and structural framing that is built to last. Read on to discover nine reasons that make OC™ Lumber the best material for your deck or dock project.

1. OC™ Lumber is Heat-Reflective

Every board comes with our heat-reflective technology regardless of color. Our boards stay cooler and cool down quicker than other decking options. We developed Barefoot Sand and Barefoot Gray colors to remain comfortable for bare feet in extreme heat.

2. OC™ Lumber is Waterproof 

OC™ Lumber excludes organic ingredients like wood that absorb moisture and lead to mold, mildew, and rot. Unlike wood composite decking, OC™ Lumber remains unaffected by long-term exposure to salt and freshwater. You can even submerge our decking and deck framing and build a project totally underwater. For marine construction and beyond, OC™ Lumber provides the ideal solution.

3. OC™ Lumber is Structural

Most wood composite and plastic deck boards lack the strength necessary for structural use. OC™ Lumber provides over two times the strength of competing deck boards and opens the door to endless building opportunities. Use our 2x4, 2x6, 2×8 and 2×10 profiles for the understructure of your deck or dock as our structural framing is an alternative to traditional wood and steel and is designed to install like the lumber you use every day

4. OC™ Lumber Experiences Minimal Expansion and Contraction

Thermal expansion and contraction cause tons of issues from warping to splitting deck boards. Other HDPE, PVC, and wood composite decking experience four to ten times more movement than OC Lumber. Amidst drastic temperature swings, OC™ Lumber ensures your project will stay put.

5. OC™ Lumber is Rated for Underwater and Ground Installation

Most decking materials deteriorate when submerged or installed directly on the ground. Moisture builds up in and around the boards, causing eventual rot and decay. Because OC™ Lumber is 100 percent waterproof and cannot absorb any moisture, you can build with our boards in conditions that send other decking straight to the landfill.

6. OC™ Lumber Spans 24 Inches on Center

The further your decking can span, the more you save on material like understructure and screws. While most composite and PVC decking brands recommend a maximum spacing of 16 inches on center, OC™ Lumber deck boards easily allow for spans of 24 inches. With OC™ Lumber, you can replace pre-existing wooden decking at 24 inches on center without redoing your understructure. If you build from scratch, our material spans when paired with our structural framing reduce the understructure and materials that you need.

7. OC™ Lumber is Low Maintenance

OC™ Lumber requires no burdensome staining, sealing, painting, or sanding. Our plastic deck boards clean up easily with soap and water or a pressure cleaner. Unlike other decking brands, OC™ Lumber resists stains from substances like sunscreen, bug spray, and red wine. We also include a 25-year UV Protection Plan to help protect your decking from fading over time.

8. OC™ Lumber is Foot-Friendly

Our splinter-free, heat-reflective decking provides a foot-friendly surface for comfort in every season. OC™ Lumber comes with enhanced static protection and an embossed woodgrain surface for added slip resistance. Use our deck boards to create an outdoor living space for family, friends, and pets.

9. OC™ Lumber Comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty

Product quality and warranties vary from brand to brand. We manufacture the last deck board you’ll ever need with the warranty to back up our claims. OC™ Lumber comes with a lifetime residential warranty and a 25-year pro-rated commercial warranty. Visit our warranty pages to learn more