Products

Outdoor decking including lumber, composite and metal can warp, shrink, fade, stain and host mold and mildew in addition to becoming slippery. When submerged in water it can fail causing damage to the main structure allowing water intrusion and costly repairs. These materials need to be maintained due to constant exposure to the elements (sun, wind and moisture) so are not a viable long term maintenance-free solution.

TEC CARIBE Products are strong, durable and maintain their dimensional stability for the life of the structure, do not support mold, mildew, are water insoluble, non-combustible, will not crack and are more abrasion resistant than most other materials including poured concrete. No maintenance is required.

Overview & Benefits

The New Generation of Building Materials

Faster

Ease of use - Installation requires very limited training and requires a low skill level. No special tools required

FASTER TO BUILD

Cost Effective

Our building materials will compete with all existing construction methods

COST-EFFICIENT

Echo Friendly

Environmentally friendly, natural materials

ECO FRIENDLY

Safe

Resistant to water, fire, wind, projectile impact, earthquakes, insects, fungus, mold, mildew and chemical infiltration

SAFER

Stronger

Wall axial load capacity is nearly 4 times stronger for Wall Panels vs conventional construction

STRONGER

Light Weight

Our building materials will compete with all existing construction methods

LIGHT WEIGHT

Sustainable

The average lifespan for a stick build home is only 40 years

SUSTAINABLE

ENERGY EFFICIENT

Our products create a tighter structural envelope increasing energy efficiencies and reducing power consumption

ENERGY EFFICIENT

TEC CARIBE Innovative Materials used in Decking

There are many types of building materials used in construction. Each material has different properties such as weight, strength, durability and cost which makes it suitable for certain types of applications. The choice of materials for construction is based on cost and effectiveness to resisting the loads and stresses acting on the structure.

The manufacturing of building materials is a well established and standardized industry capable of providing a reliable supply of high-quality materials for our structures.The production of structural-grade building materials is subject to quality control procedures that involve inspection and testing according to national standards and scientific testing methods.

Magnesium Oxide Board

Magnesium oxide is a versatile mineral that when used as part of a cement mixture and cast into thin cement panels under proper curing procedures and practices can be used in residential and commercial building construction.

  • Flame retardant
  • Waterproof (tested to freeze/thaw for 36 months
  • Free from mildew / mildew / insects (does not feed mold, mildew and insects)
  • Shock resistant
  • Silica / Asbestos Free STC Rated 53-54
  • No special tools required.
  • Hard non-absorbent surface - based on fiberglass - no paper.
  • Available in colors
  • Energy Efficient: High Thermal Insulative Properties

Traditional Materials used in Decking Construction

Composite Decking

Made of wood fiber combined with recycled polyethylene, composite decking is a good-looking, low-maintenance material. Composites come in a broad range of colors and textures that closely approximate real wood. It also offers design versatility: Pros have apparatus for heating planks so they can be bent to make eye-catching in-laid designs.

Disadvantages of Composite Decking

  • A pricey alternative to wood. Composite decking is more expensive than wood. It could cost 15 to 20 percent more for composite material than pressure-treated pine.4
  • Composites aren’t natural. No matter how much effort goes into making composites look like wood, they’re not.
  • Composite decks aren’t completely maintenance-free.
  • Staining and fade.

Vinyl Decking

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) decking is the new kid on the block and rapidly gaining favor as a material that is as close to maintenance-free as decking will ever be. PVC has no wood content. Premium varieties have a cellular core wrapped with an exterior layer of solid PVC and come with a 25-year warranty. Color options include white, gray, browns, and tans.

Disadvantages of Vinyl Decking

  • Regular cleaning and sealing is a must; otherwise, decks made of pressure-treated lumber will crack and fall apart.
  • Not really dimensionally stable, so the possibility of cracking, splitting, or warping is high.
  • Installation on ground levels might create leaching, which might ruin the flower beds or vegetable gardens in contact.
  • Toxic substances: Detected in most pressure-treated lumber are traces of chromate copper arsenate (CCA). If pressure-treated lumber is burned, these toxins will be released into the atmosphere.

Pressure-Treated Wood

Made of fir permeated with anti-rot and insecticide agents, pressure-treated decking is a low-cost favorite. The anti-rot treatment once included arsenic, but since 2004 relies on less poisonous agents, such as copper, which poses a health hazard only if burned. The basic tan or brown color of pressure-treated decking can be enhanced with stain.

Disadvantages of Pressure-Treated Wood for Decks

  • Splinters and checking. Since this type of decking material is made from natural wood, it will inevitably splinter with time.
  • Fading. Color fading will most likely occur as the wood is exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun over time.
  • High-maintenance. You must stain and apply a penetrating sealer to the wood annually. Without proper care, the wood will retain stains and blemishes from leaves and debris.
  • Chemical risks. Because this type of decking is treated with chemicals for protection, it can be hazardous when not handled correctly. If the wood is burned, trimmed, or cut, it can release harmful toxins into the air.

Cedar Decking

The natural beauty of real wood is unmatched. In addition, this perennial decking favorite is inexpensive and easy to work with—a good choice for the do-it-yourselfer. Buy the darker-colored heartwood—anything else is sapwood and can rot within a few years. Expect annual refinishing and a life of 15 to 20 years.

Disadvantages of Cedar Decking

  • The biggest disadvantage of cedar decking is that it has a tough time resisting scratches.
  • A second drawback to cedar is that it fades to grey as it matures. This is a positive for some people who like the look, but this faded grey is not nearly as popular as the glowing orange of new cedar. You can do things to keep the cedar from fading, but it will require yearly maintenance and sealing.
  • Of course, cedar may also cost more than other materials you might choose for your deck. However, it’s worth noting that it’s relatively low-cost when compared to other high-end materials.

Redwood

Once the very last word in decking, redwood is expensive and now available only on the West Coast. It’s lightweight, strong, and easy to work with. Select only high-grade decking lumber with little of the cream-colored sapwood, which can deteriorate rapidly when exposed to the elements. The darker-colored heartwood is naturally rot-resistant. With regular maintenance, redwood will last 15 to 20 years.

Disadvantages of Redwood Decking

  • Regular cleaning and sealing is a must; otherwise, decks made of pressure-treated lumber will crack and fall apart.
  • Not really dimensionally stable, so the possibility of cracking, splitting, or warping is high.
  • Installation on ground levels might create leaching, which might ruin the flower beds or vegetable gardens in contact.
  • Toxic substances: Detected in most pressure-treated lumber are traces of chromate copper arsenate (CCA). If pressure-treated lumber is burned, these toxins will be released into the atmosphere.

Aluminum Decking

Out of all the materials used in decks today, aluminum is overlooked and underestimated in comparison to wood and composite planks. While they are definitely not for everyone, they aluminum decking has several unique properties that make it ideal for regions that get a lot of rain as well as consumers that want something durable.

Disadvantages of Aluminum Decking

  • Aluminum is considerably more expensive than wood and 2-3 times higher than most composites.
  • Manufacturing techniques allow companies to make aluminum with patterns similar to wood, but it does not measure up to the real thing underfoot. It feels solid, but can be loud and tends to stay cool, whereas other forms of decking are warmer in the summer months.
  • Slippage isn’t a major concern with aluminum decks as the best brands combat that with a coating that can give you more traction than other styles of decking.
  • Your color options are also a bit limited compared to other building materials.