What Kind Of Saw Blade To Cut Composite Decking? (Find Out Now!)

A lot of homeowners these days prefer composite decking over traditional wood decking, and there are definitely some advantages associated with using composite decking. But if you’ve just installed a composite deck—and now you want to make some adjustments DIY—you’ll have to know which kind of saw blade is best for cutting decking.

In this article, the saw blades that are used to cut composite decking will be discussed and compared. Some tips for cutting composite decking will also be put forward.

To cut composite decking properly, you’ll need miter saw blades, circular saw blades, table saw blades, and jigsaw blades. You shouldn’t begin cutting unless you know ahead of time the results you’re going to get. Unless you’re using a blade that’s specifically designed for cutting composite decking, you should refrain from using any other blades than the ones listed.

All saw blades are sharp and capable of cutting through a range of materials, but that doesn’t mean that all saw blades cut the same. This point is one that should be taken when you’re about to cut composite decking, because if you use the wrong saw, you may seriously regret the results you receive.

If you don’t know that much about saw blades, you should visit the local hardware store and talk to an expert to learn which sizes cut best. Make sure you reference composite decking during the discussion.

Composite decking is made using a variety of materials, and all you’ll need to cut through decking is standard woodworking tools, like drills and saws. If you have a saw that possesses a sharp blade, you can use this to cut through the decking; a carbide tip blade will be even better.

You should also use a saw that doesn’t overheat quickly, as overheating is what most often causes a saw to cut improperly. If you’ve ever cut wood before, there are some similarities with cutting composite decking. That being the case, you shouldn’t ignore gaps, grain, and other details when cutting composite decking.

You must keep in mind that temperature is the biggest factor when it comes to what makes a composite deck contract and expand. If your deck has been warped by temperature, then there’s a chance you could have a difficult time while cutting.

When it comes to cutting the deck, you should do so in the morning hours, as this is when it’s cool. You don’t want to be cutting decking when it’s too hot out, as the decking will become more pliable and this will make cutting significantly harder.

Sure, cutting composite decking is a lot like cutting wood, but this doesn’t mean you can use any old saw blade to cut composite decking. You could, of course, but you might be putting the appearance of your decking in jeopardy. You may also damage the deck along with your saw.

Ideally, you’ll want to use a flexible yet sharp saw, and the ones commonly recommended by professionals are miter saw blades, circular saw blades, and table saw blades. When these cut through decking, they leave behind smooth and clean edges, and these can cut through decking in a short amount of time.

But if you need to make curves, then you’ll need a jigsaw blade. Try not to stray from using the blades addressed here, as any others might make your decking unsightly. Here’s more on the blades discussed above.

There are a lot of miter saw blades out there. There are so many sizes and shapes because these blades exist to fulfill specific purposes. When using a miter saw blade, you need to keep in mind that chipping happens frequently when cutting composite decking. The plastic veneer on the decking is very thin, and this is why it chips so easily.

You could get a miter saw blade that has a triple-chip tooth, and these saw blades have many more teeth than a regular blade. These additional teeth are what allow a saw to cut through composite decking quicker and without chipping.

Circular saw blades are shaped like discs. Using spinning sharp teeth, they cut through composite decking quite easily. The size of your composite decking will determine how well a circular blade cuts, and these can be attached to a wide variety of saws.

If you need to cut deep into your composite decking, then you’ll need to use a larger saw. These go deeper than all others, and the amount of teeth will affect how fast the saw blade can spin.

Blade count will also determine finish quality. If you want a fine finish, you should cut into the composite decking with a blade that doesn’t have a lot of teeth. This process can be quicker than normal cutting.

If you’re going to be cutting into composite decking, you definitely need to consider the table saw. Blade depth can be adjusted by moving the blade up and down, and the number of teeth will determine cutting depth as well as finish quality.

Table saw blades that are between seven and nine inches in diameter can cut through composite decking quite well, in large part because they don’t have a lot of teeth. There are also blades specifically designed for composite deck cutting, and these will have unique designs that set them apart from other blades.

Jigsaw blades are versatile, and they can cut through composite decking quickly and with accuracy. You must keep material quality in mind when selecting a jigsaw blade, and the jigsaw blade will note which materials it can cut through. Manufacturers include this information to prevent improper blade use.

Thin jigsaw blades are good for composite decking, and these blades can make curves because they’re flexible. Using a jigsaw blade may take a little bit of skill, but if you know what you’re doing, you can really make a masterpiece out of your decking.