Choosing the Best Composite Decking Colors for Full Sun
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with a beautiful, functional deck. Walking barefoot on your deck is one of life’s simple pleasures… until the scorching heat of the surface leaves you with blisters! The same goes for your furry family members who enjoy lounging on the deck. Composite decking, with its durability, low maintenance, and eco-friendly features, has emerged as a top deck option in recent years.
Light-colored deck boards are especially popular for their aesthetic appeal and comfort. They reflect heat, keep the surface cooler, and create an inviting atmosphere. When selecting composite decking for a sun-drenched area, consider UV resistance, heat resistance, and a comprehensive warranty. Lighter colors tend to absorb less heat, staying cooler to the touch. Additionally, light-colored deck boards are less prone to fading than darker ones and require less maintenance.
Benefits of Light Color
Deck Boards
- Barefoot Friendly: Light colors reflect heat better than dark colors, making them cooler to the touch, especially during hot summer months. This allows you to enjoy your deck without worrying about scorching your bare feet. When shopping at The Deck Store, be sure to look for the Barefoot Friendly icons to find light color deck boards for cooler comfort.
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Aesthetics: Light color deck boards give your outdoor space a fresh and modern look, creating a welcoming atmosphere. They also provide a visually spacious and airy feel, making your deck appear larger than it actually is. This is especially perfect for smaller decks.
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Reduced Maintenance: Light color deck boards are less prone to fading compared to darker colors. They hide dirt, debris, and scratches better, reducing the need for regular cleaning and maintenance.
- Ideal for Pool Areas: Light color deck boards are also an excellent choice for poolside decking. Their heat-reflective properties ensure that the surface remains cool and comfortable underfoot, even on the hottest days. This creates a safe and enjoyable environment for you and your family to relax by the pool without the worry of overheated surfaces.
The Best Composite Decking with Light Color Deck Boards
Deckorators Voyage
- Barefoot Friendly Color Options: Tundra
- Features: Mineral-based composite technology for exceptional strength and stability; stays cooler underfoot.
- Residential Warranty: 50-year structural guarantee.
Trex Transcend
- Barefoot Friendly Color Options: Rope Swing
- Features: Made from 95% recycled materials, high-performance shell resists stains, scratches, and fading.
- Residential Warranty: 50-year limited fade and stain warranty.
Fiberon Concordia
- Barefoot Friendly Color Options: Prairie Wheat, Castle Gray
- Features: Resistant to mold, mildew, and staining; ideal for high-moisture environments.
- Residential Warranty: Backed by a lifetime performance warranty and a 50-year limited stain and fade warranty.
TimberTech AZEK Harvest
- Barefoot Friendly Color Options: Brownstone, Slate Gray
- Features: Engineered with a PVC and polymer composite shell; exceptional resistance to scratches, stains, and fading.
- Residential Warranty: 50-year limited fade and stain warranty.
WearDeck
- Barefoot Friendly Color Options: Barefoot Sand, Barefoot Gray
- Features: Engineered for extreme durability with UV resistance and heat-reflective properties; withstands intense sunlight and high temperatures.
- Residential Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty.
Tips for Choosing and Maintaining Light Color
Deck Boards
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Consider your outdoor space: Assess the surroundings of your deck and choose a light color that complements your home's exterior, landscaping, and personal style.
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Regular cleaning: Despite their ability to hide dirt, light color deck boards still require regular cleaning. Use a mild detergent and a soft-bristle brush to remove dirt and stains.
- Preventative measures: Consider using mats or rugs in high-traffic areas and place furniture pads under your outdoor furniture to prevent scratches on your deck.
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Protect from direct sunlight: Although light color deck boards are less prone to fading, you can prolong their vibrancy by adding shade structures or investing in an outdoor umbrella.
- Don’t forget about furry family members: Put a pet bed or blanket in a shaded area of your deck to give furry family members a place to lounge on the deck with you. This will keep them cool and protect their paws from hot surfaces.
Features to Look for in Composite Decking for Full Sun
When trying to choose the best composite decking for a sun-drenched area, consider the following features:
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UV Resistance: Look for decking that has been treated with UV inhibitors. These additives help protect the material from the sun's damaging rays, preventing fading and maintaining the deck's original color for longer.
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Heat Resistance: Some composite decking can become quite hot under direct sunlight, making it uncomfortable to walk on. Opt for brands that are known for their heat resistance. Lighter colors tend to absorb less heat, staying cooler to the touch. Just as you wouldn't wear black or dark colors in the summer to stay cool, choosing light-colored deck boards helps keep the surface temperature down.
- Residential Warranty: A good warranty can give you peace of mind. Look for products that offer a comprehensive warranty covering fading and staining due to sunlight exposure.
Finally, if you want composite decking that can specifically withstand the elements of full sun exposure, consider TimberTech AZEK decking. It remains up to 30° cooler than other products, has a protective capping that resists fading, cracking, and splintering and locks out moisture. Invest in the best composite decking with light-colored deck boards for a long-lasting and attractive outdoor living experience. One note of caution—while light-colored deck boards are a better choice for staying cool under the sun, caution should still be exercised. Even the coolest deck surfaces can become hot on the hottest days, so always check the temperature before walking barefoot or letting pets lounge on the deck.
Create Your Ideal Summer Outdoor Space
As the summer season approaches, creating a welcoming outdoor space becomes a priority. Composite decking offers a fantastic solution with its durability, low maintenance, and eco-friendly features. Light-color deck boards provide numerous advantages, including heat resistance, enhanced aesthetics, and reduced maintenance. By choosing the best composite decking products, such as Trex, Fiberon, Deckorators, TimberTech AZEK, or WearDeck, you can enjoy a beautiful and long-lasting deck that enhances your outdoor living experience. Save your family’s feet (including your pets!) this summer and invest in light color deck boards to transform your outdoor space into a stunning, comfortable, and inviting oasis.
Visit The Deck Store for All Your Composite Decking Needs
For a wide range of high-quality composite decking options, shop The Deck Store today. Our knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect decking materials that meet your needs and budget. Start building your dream deck now and create an outdoor space where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy the beauty of summer. Invest in light color deck boards this summer and watch your outdoor space transform into a stunning, comfortable, and inviting oasis.