Composite Decking Boards:
Solid versus Hollow

The outdoor composite decking industry is ever evolving with better looking, more realistic, and easier to maintain products being brought to market every year. While at one time, certain manufacturers offered composite decking products in either solid or hollow profiles, today, the trend and preference tends to be for solid profile decking. Some manufacturers still offer hollow decking exclusively or as an option. When choosing the best composite decking product for your home, consider the list of pros and cons below.

 

Deck Board Profile	Pros	Cons
Solid	Good fastener holding power Do not need special end treatments, such as a fascia board, plugs, picture framing, etc. Emulates the shape of real wood lumber Better noise absorption, making it quieter to walk on	Heavier weight More expansion and contraction properties
Hollow	Lighter weight Fewer expansion and contraction properties Hollow spaces inside the deck boards can be used as a wire run for lighting and speakers	Possible differential thermal expansion in which could lead to cracking Less impact resistant Exhibits an engineered, or man-made look Must be used with special trims and end caps Can hold water and moisture internally, which can accelerate the rate of decomposition

 

It's not hard to see from this list why the majority of homeowners and builders prefer solid decking over hollow decking. ModernView Decking features a solid deck board profile. Our composite decking product is manufactured under several unique patents within the wood fibers are aligned and encapsulated in plastic. This manufacturing process combined with ModernView Decking's unique material composition makes the product extremely durable with virtually no thermal movement and excellent fade resistance. Plus, our outdoor composite decking materials are reversible and compatible with most hidden fastener systems, making installation a breeze. See Recommended Fasteners for more information and contact a ModernView Decking Dealer nearest you to find out why solid decking is preferred and why ModernView Decking is your best option.