Kebony wood vs. Lumbercon

Choosing the best material for your next deck or boardwalk.

When it comes to selecting the ideal material for your deck, boardwalk, or other outdoor projects, there are myriad factors to consider.

Durability, aesthetics, maintenance requirements, and environmental impact play crucial roles in guiding your decision. Both LumberCon and Kebony are two notable choices in today's market.

Our team created this comparison to provide a detailed analysis of both materials, highlighting similarities and differences to help homeowners, architects, builders, and landscapers make more informed and sustainable choices for their next projects.

Kebony Deck Boards

Kebony is known as a highly durable, semi-sustainable wood. It's rich in color if maintained properly over time and can be utilized for a variety of different projects.

 

Durability
Kebony is renowned for its remarkable durability and performance, paralleling that of the best tropical hardwoods. Engineered to withstand harsh conditions, Kebony decking is a robust option for both residential and commercial applications. It boasts a 30-year rot and decay warranty, ensuring long-term resilience.
Maintenance
One of Kebony’s standout features is its minimal maintenance requirement. Unlike traditional wood decking, which requires frequent staining and sealing, Kebony maintains its structural integrity with minimal upkeep, translating to lower life cycle costs.
Aesthetic
While Kebony decking delivers an impressive aesthetic appeal. Its rich brown color and clear grain provide a luxurious appearance that complements various architectural styles. However, Kebony is only available in one color - dark brown. While the initial color is appealing, it may not match all design preferences, and over time if not treated properly, the wood will develop a silver patina when exposed to the elements.
Longevity
Over time, exposure to sunlight and water can cause Kebony wood to gray. This occurs due to the breakdown of lignin on the surface, leaving a white fibrous layer. This discoloration can result in an uneven appearance. Addressing this issue often requires sanding or applying a wood finish to restore the wood’s original color.

LumberCon

LUMBERCON™ IS A LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE DECK PLANK THAT CAN BE CUT AND INSTALLED LIKE WOOD PLANKS.

It will span 3 times longer than wood, requiring fewer structural joists for support. Our concrete lumber is more durable than wood, especially in harsh environments such as those near water or fire hazards.

Plain or wood-grained planks come in natural concrete gray and will hold stain and paint finishes for years, unlike Kebony deck boards and other wood-based materials.

 

Our Product

State-of-the-Art Materials
LumberCon decking is constructed from concrete, a material known for its unparalleled durability and resistance to environmental factors. Unlike traditional wood, it does not succumb to rot, decay, or insect infestation. Its steel prestressed reinforcement allows the planks to bend slightly under weight, ensuring structural integrity while maintaining a flat plane.
Thermal Properties
Concrete absorbs heat more effectively than wood or plastic decking, preventing the surface from becoming excessively hot. This makes LumberCon ideal for sunny locations where traditional materials might become uncomfortable to walk on.
Pricing
Unlike wood or plastic, which are subject to price fluctuations, LumberCon’s concrete composition ensures stable pricing. This predictability is advantageous for budget planning and project costing.
Customization
LumberCon offers a variety of textures and finishes, including plain gray, gray woodgrain, and natural sandblast. Additionally, the planks can be stained any color with a concrete stain, providing greater design flexibility to match any aesthetic vision.
Longevity
LumberCon has been tested under extreme conditions, including freeze-thaw cycles and underwater use. Its resilience in such environments underscores its longevity and reliability for a wide range of applications.

Why Choose Lumbercon

LumberCon’s concrete composition gives it a distinct advantage in terms of durability and structural integrity. While Kebony is highly durable, it remains susceptible to the natural wear and tear associated with wood products. In contrast, LumberCon resists rot, decay, and insect damage, providing a more robust and long-lasting solution for decking needs.

 

Advantages

Heat Absorption
One of the standout features of LumberCon is its ability to absorb heat, preventing the deck surface from becoming too hot. This makes it a superior choice for areas with high sun exposure, where wood or plastic decking can become uncomfortably hot underfoot.
Cost
LumberCon’s resistance to price fluctuations ensures cost stability, making it a more predictable and potentially more economical choice in the long run. This financial predictability, combined with reduced maintenance costs, positions LumberCon as a cost-effective solution for both residential and commercial projects.
Customization
While Kebony offers a rich brown color, it is limited to this single hue and will eventually weather to a silver patina. LumberCon, on the other hand, provides a range of textures and finishes, along with the ability to be stained any color, offering greater design flexibility to suit diverse architectural styles and personal preferences.
Environmental Resilience
LumberCon’s performance under extreme conditions, such as freeze-thaw cycles and prolonged underwater exposure, further underscores its superiority. This resilience makes it an ideal choice for a variety of climates and environmental conditions, ensuring long-term reliability and performance.
Truly Sustainable
Longer lasting materials like concrete require fewer resources for replacement and also reduce maintenance and repair costs.
Concrete Bridge: Built with LumberCon

Experience the LumberCon advantage

Both LumberCon and Kebony offer unique advantages for decking and boardwalk applications, but they cater to different priorities and project requirements.

For those seeking natural aesthetics and sustainability, Kebony presents a compelling option. However, if long-term durability, sustainability, thermal comfort, cost, and customization are paramount, LumberCon is the superior choice.

When making your decision, consider the specific needs of your project, the environmental conditions, and your long-term maintenance and budgetary goals.

By weighing these factors, you can select the material that best aligns with your vision and requirements, ensuring a successful and enduring decking solution.

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