Surface Temperature of Composite Decking and Railing Systems

SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF COMPOSITE DECKING AND RAILING SYSTEMS 

As in this chapter we often discuss events depending on deck temperature, it is reasonable to consider what is deck temperature, how it depends on day time, on air temperature, what is the difference on top and bottom of a deck, and how the temperature of composite deck surface is related to a wooden lumber deck [such as pressure-treated lumber(PTL)] at the same day temperature, same solar radiation, and the same location. 

One can see that the maximum deck top surface temperature (118°F) was reached at 2 P.M., and that temperature was 35T higher than the air temperature. Besides, in the midday the deck bottom temperature was 7-9°C lower than the deck top temperature. 

It can be seen that the Cedar GeoDeck maximum top surface temperature (116°F) of the deck was reached at 2-3 p.m. and that temperature was 33°F higher than the air temperature. Actually, Cedar GeoDeck top surface is about 2° cooler compared 

Notice that the maximum temperature at the bottom of the wooden deck (110°F) is noticeably higher compared to that of Cedar and Mahogany composite decks (103°F). 

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