Do composites meet decking standards?
Q My local building inspector told me to remove my new composite decking because it hadn’t been approved. What’s going on? F. Hudson, via E-mail A You just got caught in the growth pains of a new industry. Building codes require that materials being used, including decking, conform to certain minimum standards. This is to ensure they’re strong, durable and safe. Unfortunately, many brands of composite decking (plastic/wood blends) and other decking materials that substitute for wood are fairly new and haven’t undergone the required testing for approval. Or the manufacturers simply haven’t submitted them for approval before marketing them. To avoid this problem, call your local building inspector and ask if the brand you intend to buy is on the approved list.
