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Any wood deck provides some ventilation to the area below, as is the nature of that type of deck design. However, areas that experience excessive humidity and associated moisture benefit greatly from a dedicated ventilation system in the form of strip vents. This addition helps the various wood boards contract and expand evenly throughout the years and reduces the chances of twisting, warping, and buckling.

Although composite decking is extremely durable, it’s also susceptible to extreme heat. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause fading, warping, and cracking. Composite also retains heat more than wood, which makes it dangerous to walk on in the summer. You can help prevent heat damage by only building with composite in shaded areas or using rugs to cover the hottest spots.

You can either nail or screw deck boards according to your preference. We recommend using 3-inch galvanized deck screws in this guide because screws offer superior holding powder over time. If you’re using screws, you can minimize the risk of cracking the boards by drilling small pilot holes before securing the boards to the deck joists.

If you’re not an experienced DIYer, consider hiring a local patio repair contractor to rescreen your porch or sunroom. Unless you’re only repairing a small rip or hole, this project is not an easy job. A professional can also make recommendations for materials that will work best for your porch.