MADE to last

TimberTech decking is designed to withstand the pressures of life by the sea

By Dana W. Todd  

A large part of the Lowcountry highlife is the ability to enjoy alfresco dining and host parties on our porches and decks year-round. But decks, railings, and porches live hard lives on the Southern coast. Constant humidity, insects, intense sunlight, and salt air add up to a demanding environment, turning deck maintenance into a marathon. The reality of constant servicing and repair of traditional wood decking has homeowners and building industry professionals turning to a new generation of composite decking as the solution to the age-old maintenance problem.

James Hardie, a company that began manufacturing low-maintenance fiber cement siding decades ago, is a favorite for Lowcountry homes. Late last year, James Hardie purchased The AZEK Company, whose product portfolio includes technology-forward building products such as TimberTech Composite Decking and TimberTech Advanced PVC Decking. The new merger creates a one-stop shop for low-maintenance, high-performance outdoor living and home exterior building products for both builders and homeowners.

A Mount Pleasant homeowner recently traded his battle against decaying wood boards by replacing his home’s front and rear deck, stairs and handrails with TimberTech products. “I had replaced multiple wooden boards and balusters over the years and had to paint every three years due to the harsh elements,” he explains. “After reviewing the three major composite material companies, I chose TimberTech because it ranked highest, with great reviews for longevity.”

While prized for its durability, TimberTech also has other noteworthy features, including an attractive tongue-and-groove design, resistance to fading and staining, and fire resistance from stray sparks that may fly from a firepit or grill. The Porch Collection is part of TimberTech’s Advanced PVC Decking solution; it is highly resistant to moisture damage, like mold and mildew, and won’t splinter, crack, cup, peel, or rot. Available in eight colors and multiple widths and textures, it’s easy to find a decking board that perfectly accents a home’s architectural style and color profile.

To capture the dimensional look of traditional lumber, TimberTech has developed authentic-looking grain patterns, vivid color blending, complex highlights and lowlights, and board-to-board tonal variations. “TimberTech doesn’t require homeowners to sacrifice design for durability,” says Amanda Cimaglia, vice president of global sustainability for James Hardie. Coastline, for example, is the nation’s most popular color, with a weathered gray look that replicates Ipe wood’s aged patina. “You don’t have to choose between historic charm and performance,” Cimaglia adds.

The beauty and resilience of the product are important, as are its low carbon footprint and progressive sustainability track record. “We are the largest vertically integrated PVC recycler in the country,” says Cimaglia. “We’re more than halfway to our goal of recycling one billion pounds of waste and scrap material each year.”

TimberTech literally turns trash into treasure. The company collects raw materials—high-density plastics, such as laundry detergent bottles and milk jugs, and low-density plastics, like grocery bags and shrink wrap—and recycles them in-house. Next, they use the recycled material to fabricate TimberTech Composite Decking, which is ultimately comprised of up to 85 percent recycled material. TimberTech Advanced PVC Decking is made up of up to 65 percent recycled raw materials, such as old PVC pipes, window and door trim discarded during home renovations, and used vinyl siding—all collected from contractors’ job sites through the company’s FULL-CIRCLE Recycling program. “This is material that otherwise would go into a landfill, where it could take 400-500 years to decompose,” explains Cimaglia.

Homeowners can feel good knowing they are making an environmentally friendly choice when selecting TimberTech products. The sustainability benefits stretch even further—the brand’s composite decking has a 30-year warranty, while the PVC decking offers a 50-year warranty. “Durability is sustainability,” reiterates Cimaglia.

In addition to impervious decking, James Hardie has a full line of outdoor-grade wood-alternative products, including structures like louvered pergolas, railing systems, moldings, siding, and trims.

TimberTech ultimately is a more practical and economical choice because of its longevity and low maintenance. It doesn’t incur the time and costs of ongoing sanding, staining, and sealing like regular wood, and only needs a quick wash. “TimberTech’s performance is perfect for the Lowcountry, both in its resilience and its design,” Cimaglia says. “You can install it and never think about it again!”

For more information about the product or to locate local TimberTech retailers, visit timbertech.com.