Does Composite Decking Get Hot in the Sun?

Among the disadvantages of composite decking, heat retention remains at the top of the list. Wood composite decks exposed to direct sunlight can easily become too hot to walk on with bare feet. Unfortunately, hot decking may prevent homeowners from fully enjoying their investment and may present a safety risk for children and pets.

At OC™ Lumber we prioritize the needs of our customers and include our heat-reflective technology in all of our products. To maximize our heat-reflective technology, we designed our Barefoot Collection decking colors that stay cool enough for bare feet in extreme heat. Read on to learn more about heat problems with wood composite decking and how our fully synthetic boards offer an outstanding solution.

A Major Disadvantage of Composite Decking: Heat

Homeowners may select wood composite decking to avoid the maintenance of wood and improve the longevity of their projects. Composite decking comes with a series of shortcomings including its tendency to become too hot to walk on in sunny weather. Jason H., a home inspector in Newtown, CT, says that “Probably the top complaint about composite decking is that it tends to get very hot in direct sunlight,” and we agree.

As a product that has its origins in the Florida, we know all too well that homeowners constantly express fears and complaints about the temperature of their decking during summers in The Sunshine State. Why invest in decking that you cannot safely utilize with your family, friends, and pets all year long?

How to Keep Your Deck Cool

If you already installed new composite decking that gets too hot, you can try to mitigate the problem with quick fixes like these. Shade structures like a roof, canopy, or umbrella help protect from direct sunlight and keep your decking cool. Consider planting trees for natural shelter as a long-term solution but avoid trees that produce seeds, flowers, or fruit that may stain your decking.

Pergolas and arbors can create a shaded or semi-shaded area to help alleviate the heat. Add curtains to your pergola or arbor for a sophisticated look that furthers your protection from the sun. To avoid spending money and time trying to cool down your deck, select cool decking material in light or heat-resistant colors.

Cool Outdoor Decking Material: OC™ Lumber

OC™ Lumber designed heat-reflective decking as an outstanding alternative to wood composite and synthetic decking options. Our heat-reflective technology comes with every decking profile and color for deck boards to stay cool and cool down faster than boards in comparable colors from other brands. Two of our colors, Barefoot Sand and Barefoot Gray, maximize our heat-reflective technology. They remain cool enough to walk on with bare feet in extreme heat, making them a favorite for projects in direct sun like marinas, boardwalks, and pool decks.

If surface temperature falls in the list of major concerns for your project, choose from our light colors such as White, Barefoot Sand, and Barefoot Gray.

Experience the Owens Corning difference with OC™ Lumber for decking and structural framing. Contact us today to talk to an expert and request OC™ Lumber samples to embark on a journey that's built to last.