Composite deck designs 101: achieving a real wood look
November 17, 2021
Composite deck designs comprise many different customizable elements of your deck. From deck shape to railing design, to deck board color, your final deck design will be wholly yours. And the aesthetics of each composite deck board plays a crucial role in the overall look and feel of your space.
Visualize your whole space
With our 3D Deck Designer. Play with every aspect of your deck design from size and shape to deck board color.
Want all the performance of superior decking technology, plus the nuanced beauty of nature? With TimberTech® Advanced PVC and Composite Decking you can ditch the status quo and claim the gorgeous composite deck designs your space deserves.
Looking for composite deck board patterns?
Discover patterns such as diagonals, herringbone, picture framing, and more for a unique deck surface design.
Innovating beyond first-gen composite deck designs
First-generation composite decking — as well as some current competitors — set the bar low for composite deck board aesthetics with a fake, plastic-y appearance.
But at TimberTech, we believe you deserve better. That’s why we use innovative materials science to capture the real wood looks you love and the high-performance, low-maintenance living you expect from non-wood decking.
Have a look yourself and compare decking samples from our TimberTech Advanced PVC Vintage Collection® with premium hardwood. Can you tell the difference?
So how do we capture the beauty of nature in our boards? It’s a combination of three elements:
✓ Attractive color blending
✓ Realistic grain patterns
✓ Inviting finishes
Color blending in composite deck designs
Look closely at a board of real wood and take note of its diverse array of whorls, lines, and coloring. TimberTech deck boards are designed specifically to resemble this natural, varied look – so you lock in all the beauty of a traditional wood deck, minus the maintenance and environmental impact.
What is color blending?
Color blending is the distribution of various pigments in our high-performance TimberTech Advanced PVC and Composite Decking decking products.
Color blending creates natural-looking highlights and lowlights on boards.
We offer four degrees of color blending that vary across our decking portfolio.
Solid
No color blending color is consistent throughout the surface of the board.
Choose this for: A painted-wood look that delivers a minimalist final product.
Color-blended
Some color variation is created through a subtle blending of different colors.
Choose this for: An authentic wood look with a sophisticated feel.
Highly color-blended
Greater variation of color with advanced highlights and lowlights.
Choose this for: A premium hardwood look for a high-style feel.
Uniquely color-blended
Substantial board-to-board color variation with an overlay of gradually blended color.
Choose this for: A highly varied, reclaimed wood look for a one-of-a-kind deck.
Realistic grain patterns & finishes
In traditional lumber, grain pattern refers to the arrangement of wood fibers seen when a piece of wood is cut. The finish is the final look applied to create various textures in the board surface.
Just as different types of lumber show different levels of texture and grain pattern complexity, so too do our Advanced PVC and Composite deck boards.
Cathedral grain
Circular peaks and curves, typical of lumber that has been quarter-sawn.
Choose this for: The soft look of natural wood that complements a range of home exteriors.
Pictured: Brownstone from the TimberTech Advanced PVC Harvest Collection
Crosscut
A complex, textured aesthetic, like wood that has been crosscut (cut perpendicular to the grain, rather than parallel with it).
Choose this for: A rustic reclaimed wood look with high board-to-board variation.
Pictured: American Walnut® from the TimberTech Advanced PVC Landmark Collection™
Wire-brushed
An open wood grain traditionally created with wire bristles.
Choose this for: An authentic character and premium hardwood look.
Pictured: Coastline® from the TimberTech Advanced PVC Vintage Collection
Hand-scraped
An artisanal, lovingly worn-in look defined by rustic texture.
Choose this for: A feeling of Old World charm.
Pictured: Ashwood from the TimberTech Composite Legacy Collection
Straight grain
A close, parallel wood grain with very few grain waves.
Choose this for: A monochromatic look ideal for a modern aesthetic.
Pictured: Coconut Husk® from the TimberTech Composite Prime+ Collection
Note that it is the combination of all three elements — color blending, grain pattern, and finish — that contribute to the overall aesthetic of your deck.
When selecting your deck boards, think about the final look and feel you want and choose composite deck designs that capture your style.
Enjoy the rich color you love: no staining required
Discover how TimberTech Decking delivers rich, fade-resistant color, so you enjoy a beautiful deck for decades to come.
Composite deck designs: achieving your overall aesthetic
After thinking through your deck board aesthetics, you’re now ready to consider other elements of composite deck designs to complete your space.
Deck layout
Deck shape or layout is one of the more important elements of composite deck designs — and plays a role in how your deck functions, too.
Deck board patterns
How you lay your deck boards helps to create visual interest while creating focal points and differentiating separate sections of your space.
Railing design
Railing is an integral part of composite deck designs. The materials you choose to customize your railing is tightly intertwined with its aesthetics.
Plan your deck project budget
Learn about composite decking material cost and how a TimberTech deck can save you big in the long-run.
Curated composite deck designs
Whether you’re looking for a minimalistic deck, a bold statement-making space, or the perfect wood alternative that looks just like the real thing (without the hassle), we have you covered.
Minimalist & clean
Pictured: Slate Gray from the TimberTech Advanced PVC Harvest Collection
The subtle-chic solid color and cathedral grain pattern give this deck a pure and simple feel that’s perfect for a modern, minimalistic style.
Unique, character-rich style
Pictured: American Walnut from the TimberTech Advanced PVC Landmark Collection
The uniquely color-blended boards with a crosscut, matte finish lend a rustic, reclaimed wood look, ideal for statement-making composite deck designs.
Sophisticated & eye-catching
Pictured: Mahogany from the TimberTech Advanced PVC Vintage Collection
Enjoy an ultra-realistic wood look reminiscent of premium hardwood with these highly color-blended boards featuring a wire-brushed, low-gloss finish.
Composite deck designs: start planning for your outdoor living space
Now that you know you can achieve the real wood look you love with TimberTech decking, it’s time to explore composite deck designs more closely. Order free samples of your favorite deck boards right to your door so you can see the nuanced colors and feel the textured grain patterns yourself.
Be sure to place the samples outside where you can view them in natural lighting throughout the day which will give you better idea of which one (or combination) is right for your space.
See & feel the TimberTech advantage
Our Advanced PVC and Composite Decking lines combine recycled materials with all the beauty of traditional wood, making them the ultimate eco-friendly decking materials.
