Composite​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Decking Is Just a Better Choice in Smithtown, NY: Lessons From Local Backyards

 

For sure, you have figured out how our weather changes all the time Deck Builder in Smithtown, NY if you have been living here for quite a while already. I mean one week is at 60 degrees and you can even wear a t-shirt, and the next week you are forced to barricade your deck furniture so that it won't be blown into the neighbor's yard. There is no doubt that outdoor wood components are the ones to suffer the most from the salt air drifted from the Sound, the June humidity and the freezing-thawing cycles of December through March.

I have also been growing up in Smithtown and I must say that as a person who is very much involved with decks, it has been my observation that in the backyards of Smithtown the same sequence of events is being repeated, one after another: initially traditional wood looks visually appealing- however, it soon turns out to be not the case. In a very short period, the wood starts to fade, crack, warp or get mildew spots that are hard to remove no matter how much cleaning you do.

Indeed, the place where most home-owners around this area start talking about composite decking is exactly that point. It is not about being trendy, luxurious or having the 'perfect' backyard, but rather simply about Smithtown's weather which practically gives you a guarantee of the necessity of maintenance at least once in a while.

Allow me to reveal to you what the working experience with my neighbors, friends, and families has taught me.

When Wood and Smithtown Weather Were Not Made for Each Other

We had the chance to collaborate with a family whose home was along Jericho Turnpike a few years ago. They had a pressure treated deck that was about six or seven years old but visually appeared to be close to twenty. The north side had mildew, which caused it to turn almost black, the rails were curling, and a few of the boards had risen just enough to catch someone off guard and cause them to fall.

The homeowner said to me a thing he did so many times. 'I was supposed to stain it every two years and that is exactly what I did. I really don't see what else I could have done.'

Truth be told? He was not doing any mistake.

Smithtown is characterized by:

1. spring rainstorms that soak everything for days,

2. humid summers that keep surfaces damp, and

3. long winters that have freeze-thaw cycles

This combination is the perfect recipe for natural wood to be worn out. Even cedar, which is a wood many homeowners think will last forever, can have a hard time here without it being constantly taken care of.

It is most probably at this point when people start seriously considering composite decking and think of it not as 'maybe someday' but 'yeah... maybe now'.

Why Composite Decking Is a Good Idea Locally

There is not a single piece of material that is all good and composite decking is no different. However, in our case, the benefits almost perfectly correspond to the challenges we are facing.

1. Moisture Resistance

Poor springs and damp summers that Smithtown has are turning wood into a perfect place to reproduce mold and rot. I have seen decks, the bottom side of which is so wet that the joists are getting covered with mushrooms.

Composite is not a material that water can get into it easily like in wood. After a continuous rain for a whole week, the boards still look dry and hard. This is enough for the majority of homeowners to put their minds at rest.

2. Fade Resistance (Even With Coastal Sun)

We do have a rather strong sun here, especially in yards that are facing south or west. And many wood decks after two summers lose their color unevenly and are taken to be patchy.

Namely, composite boards are able to keep their original color for a very long time. The faded and washed-out look of wood decks that you can often see in Brooksite Drive or near the Nissequogue River is not what you get with composite.

3. Low Maintenance—Really

Admittedly, the term 'low maintenance' is highly overused, but composite in reality works on a different level. Usually, a simple wash would suffice and maybe a gentle scrub if interactions like heavy barbecuing took place during the summer.

Last fall, a neighbor at Maple Avenue told me, 'My deck used to be a weekend project now it takes me five minutes to hose it off.' and he was totally serious.

A Local Story: When Composite Was the Right Fit

One of my most beloved projects was a small backyard in the Village of the Branch area. The homeowners had two little kids, a dog, and their busy life which didn't allow them to spend the weekends sanding and staining.

In short, their old deck was the victim of dog scratches, sun damage, mold on the shady corner, as well as the curling of wood. When we talked through what they wanted the mom said something that stuck with me:

"I want to use my yard without constantly being interrupted by the thought that something needs fixing."

Such experience is very common among Smithtown families these days—life is rushing and the outdoor space should be a stress-free time, not another task list.

The close cooperation of a year, the result is the perfect fit for the-homeowners, a medium-tone composite board that serves multiple functions such as preventing the board from getting too hot during the summer and hiding the footprints. I met with them at a local event and they said that they still hadn't done anything other than rinsing off the spilled juice and occasional dirt from the dog.

Sometimes people think "low maintenance" means boring. But in this case, it meant freedom.

Understanding the Heat Factor: A Real Consideration Here

What I constantly tell to my neighbors is one and the same: when exposed to the full sun, composites can be warmer than wood. And the majority of S

mithtown backyards are not very shady—especially the ones in newly developed areas where the trees are still young.

What is usually doing the trick is:

1. Opting for pale colors (as they tend to retain less heat)

2. Depending on the shade—pergolas, umbrellas, or the positioning of plants

3. Employing textured boards which do not absorb as much heat

I was my own teacher when it came to that lesson. I chose a darker color on my deck because I thought it looked great… and towards the middle of July, it dawned on me that I have to wear sandals if I am to walk over it. The net result is that I always talk about that event so that they can make a better plan than I did.

A Few Tips for Smithtown Homeowners Considering Composite

You are about to make the change, right? Then take a look at what I have come to know from working locally which are a few of the things:

Look at Samples in Real Sunlight

Nothing is complete without the final trial. Even the best indoor showroom can't give away the whole secret. Natural lighting in Smithtown, and especially that golden late-afternoon sun, can have a very dramatic effect on color.

Plan for Winter Expansion and Contraction

Composite boards will slightly expand if heated and contract if cooled. Given that we are having freeze-thaw cycles, the appropriateness of the spaces between boards is very important. Builders in our area are quite proficient about this but it never hurts to be knowledgeable.

Think About How You Actually Use Your Backyard

Hosting? Kids? Pets? Quiet mornings with coffee? Each way of life suggests different textures and colors. The reason is not to be trendy but to choose the one that suits your life.

Consider Mixed Materials

It is not obligatory to go for 100% composite. There are some Smithtown residents who accompany the composite decking with aluminum or cable rails, and make wood accents for the warmth.

Final Thoughts From One Neighbor to Another

Living in Smithtown means going along with the weather that is changing its mind every three days, summers that are so humid as if someone turned the humidity to "maximum", and winters that look like they will last forever. Our houses—and especially the outdoor spaces—require materials that are up to the task.

Composite decking is not a way of flaunting your backyard. It is about the decision that lets you have more time to enjoy your outdoor space and less time to fix it.

I have also seen wood decks doing well here but they come with a substantial demand for commitment. And for many families, composite decking is just more in tune with their lives.

Whatever you decide, don't forget that: a deck is supposed to be life-augmenting, not life-complicating. And, in a town like Smithtown where backyards are such a big part of everyday life—from summer barbecues to fall fire pit nights—the right choice of materials really is the game changer.

Whenever you feel like exchanging ideas on what works best in your corner of Smithtown, I am here. Helping each other is the way we do it here in Smithtown—that's the one thing about this town that doesn't ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌change.