Are you new to the world of decking materials? That’s ok! Most homeowners are making a once-in-a-lifetime purchase when they are considering alternatives to wooden decking (such as PVC decking), and it’s natural that they may not have had to do any research on PVC safety prior to this. With such an important once-in-a-lifetime purchase, it’s crucial that you do your research and ask the right questions to ensure that there is no doubt left in your mind when you decide on the perfect materials for your backyard escape. While a homeowner may need to reconstruct a wooden deck and replace their decking numerous times within their lifetime, PVC deck boards do not require the same rigorously dedicated upkeep and will outlive a wooden deck many times over with minimal maintenance.
One of the most common concerns that we hear from both homeowners as well as contractors are concerns regarding comfort and safety. Will a TIVA deck burn my feet? Will our new TIVADOK generate static electricity? Will the realistic wood grain in TIVA deck boards scrape my feet?
Wood-Grain Embossment
How comfortable is the texture of TIVADEK PVC deck boards’ embossing to walk on? TIVADEK PVC decking is available in a wide variety of different textures and embossments. We pride ourselves on having achieved a realistic and beautiful texture inspired by natural hardwoods. While some boards are textured with a classic wood grain embossment, they are very comfortable to walk on barefoot. The classic embossed boards provide greater traction and are perfect for areas where one may want to increase slip resistance – such as areas around a pool, water feature, or stair steps. Try to picture areas where ice will form, or where more activity is likely to occur. Rustic embossing is smoother and can be more scratch-resistant. These boards are equally comfortable to tread on and are great at dividing the space in your oasis. Both feel pleasant on bare feet.
PVC Safety: Heat Absorption
If you are building a deck and are concerned about the amount of heat that it will retain, then there is no reason to be concerned any more. PVC deck boards that spends the day sunning in your paradise will certainly warm up, but not to the point of discomfort that many are fearing that they will experience during those long summer days. Consider the location of your deck. Will it be getting lots of afternoon sun, or will it be shaded by your house and nearby trees? If it’s sure to bear the brunt of full-sun, you may want to consider the addition of a pergola to ensure that you remain comfortable and shaded – this will be a welcome addition for your eyes and skin. Lastly, consider the colour of your desired deck. The dark colour of PVC deck boards such as Ebony or Charwood will absorb the most heat, while a lighter colour of PVC deck boards and PVC dock decking such as Elmwood or Beechwood will remain much cooler throughout the day. Consider reserving the darkest TIVA deck boards as accent colours – perfect for borders, risers, and stairs!
Static Shock
Many people with small children are concerned about static shock. However, this is another concern that can be written off, as you won’t be shocked by TIVA deck boards or TIVA’s PVC dock decking. All TIVADEK and TIVDADOK PVC dock decking are capped with an ASA capstock. ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acryilate) plastics contain antistatic properties. Similarly to how you don’t typically receive static shocks from your car dashboard, you should not expect to receive static shocks your TIVA decking. Now you can wrestle with the family dog, mess up your hair, and jump off of the dock without any worry of unfriendly zaps!
While it can be difficult to choose the decking that’s right for you, TIVA Building Products is always striving to make that choice a little simpler by offering the best deck material with the right PVC safety to pick from. With new innovations around every corner, we are proud to consistently offer premium decking solutions. We aim to continue providing the most fabulous deck materials Canada has to offer, and can’t wait to be a part of your next big project or DIY.
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