It used to be a no-brainer – you chose wood. Today however, choosing a deck material requires careful research to decide what type of look and feel you want for your home. Below are listed some popular materials used for decks. It’s important to examine the pros and cons of each before you choose what type of deck you want for your home.
Pressure Treated Wood Decking
Generally speaking, pressure treated lumber is the standard in the industry. Pressure-treated wood offers a combination of benefits – economy, natural appearance, environmental superiority, strength and longevity. From a cost standpoint, PT decks are the most economical, but they do require yearly maintenance like staining and sealing.
PT deck boards can twist and split, so they can pose a safety hazard and must be checked regularly.
Mahogany Decking
Mahogany decking will give you an exquisite wood deck that you will be proud of. The red color of mahogany decking is what makes it unique. Mahogany, which comes from several different countries, has a reddish color. Mahogany is a dense wood with a tight grain that makes it naturally insect and moisture resistant.
But remember, since mahogany is real wood, this type of deck does require annual treatment, including staining or painting. Clear sealer will help extend the life of the wood, but not change the beautiful, natural appearance of Mahogany. The best time of the year to do this is spring, before moving any furniture or planters onto your deck. With this type of natural wood, each board has a unique characteristics, but you won’t get uniform color like you do with composite or pvc.
PVC Decking
Gaining market share quickly is Azek PVC decking. Originally developed by Procell, the cellular PVC material has a shiny hard surface and the working characteristics of wood. PVC tends to be lighter and easier to handle, strong and tidy and less likely to scratch or stain. Fastening PVC is easy as there is no need to predrill or use special screws.
Azek boasts that it is stain, scratch and mold resistant, impervious to moisture and insects and has a limited lifetime warranty. The 2nd generation of PVC decks are now coming out. They boast darker colors and a more natural wood appearance.
On the flipside, this material is new and has not passed the test of time and the cost is a bit higher than wood materials.
Composite Decking
Composite decking is manufactured from wood fiber and plastic resins to form a deck board.
The wood fiber used is typically from recycled sources, so composite deck boards are generally considered environmentally friendly. Composites are long lasting, come in a variety of colors, and don’t have some of the same maintenance issues as wood – such as cracking and splintering. Since composites do contain wood product, they can scratch and do need regular cleaning. They have a higher cost than wood, but can be slightly less than PVC.
Please remember … some decking projects require building permits and PVC and Composite are not structural. Be sure to check with your town building department on what requirements would apply to your project and check our “Find A Contractor” directory on http://www.midcape.net for a list of licensed contractors who install decks.
Subscribe
