Evergrain is the brand name of a specific kind of decking material called a composite. This means that it's comprised of both wood fiber and plastic materials. Evergrain decking contains about 50 percent of each material, some of which is recycled. Environmentally conscientious consumers like the recycled aspect of composites, because it means that new trees were spared cutting, and less plastics were thrown into our rapidly overfilling landfills.

Evergrain decking is manufactured with a deep wood grain texture, giving it the attractive look of real wood. During the Evergrain fabrication process, each wood fiber is encased in a layer of plastic. This plastic helps protect the wood from deterioration caused by moisture, wind, heat, cold, and insects. Where regular, untreated wood cracks and swells, splinters and rots, Evergrain wood withstands the elements to a much greater degree.

Evergrain Decking: Longevity and Durability

This does not mean that Evergrain materials, or any composite material, for that manner, are indestructible. All materials will begin to deteriorate to some degree, after a certain amount of time. It is normal for composites to weather over time to a slightly lighter shade. Yet deterioration rates also depend on factors you can control, such as how the material is treated.

Common sense prevails here. All deck materials should be cleaned periodically to avoid mold and mildew problems. This is true of both real wood a well as composites. Even purely synthetic decking materials such as vinyl need to be cleaned once in a while. Though Evergrain material is manufactured for durability, using sandpaper or solvents on its surface will remove the plastic coating and compromise the material's look and integrity.