Mary Ann Talaman

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Deck for your Home Meta Description: This is your ultimate guide to choosing the perfect deck for your home. Learn the different types of decking materials and understand certain factors in choosing the best deck materials for your home. That space outside can be a great extension of your house, a place where you can relax and enjoy with your family. Building or updating a deck can obviously boost the value of your home and provide a peaceful retreat. A good deck should look great, well-designed, large enough to accommodate friends and families and ideally does not take much effort to maintain. It seems pretty simple, however, choosing the right decking can be tricky because of the different types of deck materials available. The Different Types of Deck Materials 1. Timber Decking If you want a natural look, then you can never go wrong with wood as a material for your deck. Wood is the original and natural material that has been used for building decks for so many years. It also has expensive options like redwood, cedar and tropical hardwoods which offers superior insect and decay resistance. Also, these woods are fire resistant and could last for a minimum of 20 years. Pros: Strong, easy material to work with Last for years if maintained and protected It repels bugs Inexpensive decking Natural look Smells really good Authentic and has a natural warmth Cons: Maintenance costs money and time Requires periodic sealing or staining Degrades, swells, and shrinks High-grade timbers and other types can be expensive Price and availability vary by region Changes color Can split and crack 2. Composite Decking A timber alternative, composite decking combines wood and plastic chip in an environment-friendly board. It provides the elegance of wood without the shrinking, rotting and cracking part. Also, it is manufactured in different textures and colors. Because of this, it has become a favorite for residential use over the past few years. If you want a near-zero maintenance deck and can be cleaned in a matter of minutes, the composite decking is the best choice. Pros: Weather Resistant Anti-slip properties Easy to work with No wood splinters or cracks to worry about Minimal maintenance Stain resistant No rotting boards Consistent dimension, color, and grain Insect resistant Cons: Costlier than timber decks Can get hot in direct sunlight Other brands can be slippery May look cheap or fake 3. Aluminum Decking Aluminum is a suitable deck material that offers slip resistance, rigidity, toughness and resistant to extreme weather conditions. It requires little to no maintenance and its anodized or baked-on finish could last for a really long time. Also, sections of aluminum decking can be interlocked in order to prevent rain from dripping through. Pros: Maintains look and color Little to no maintenance Recyclable Fireproof Will not warp, splinter or rot Slip-resistant Strong and tough Cons: Least heat resistant Tends to look commercial Highest cost range Does not resemble wood Most expensive decking 4. PVC decking This material is composed entirely of PVC or Polyvinyl chloride and contains zero wood. It is an expensive option in the decking industry but it provides significant stain and fades resistance with low maintenance requirements. This material is available in different surface colors and textures which requires minimal effort to install. However, it can take a beating from the sun’s harsh UV rays and may become brittle and more prone to cracking. This can lead to large replacement cost since replacing one section may mean replacing the whole deck in order to match the color. Pros: Low maintenance Semi-durable Easy to install Flexibility in design option Elegant-looking Cons: The railing is likely to flex overtime Little slip resistance Prone to sun damage Costly replacement Considerations in Choosing A Deck For Your Home Before you purchase a deck material, here are some factors you need to consider to ensure that you will have the best deck at home. 1. Durability Home decks and its supporting structure are going to be under different weather conditions. It is essential that you choose a type of deck material that offers durability. Composite decks are manufactured with a high-performance shell which wraps around the exposed sides and tops of the composite board in order to protect it from outside elements. This shall provide resistance to mold, scratching, staining and fading of colors. Aluminum decks have the ability to withstand extreme cold or heat. It also has a very low contraction or expansion characteristics making it the most durable option for decking materials. Timber types (untreated or treated), on the other hand, will lose or take up moisture when exposed to different weather or the atmosphere can cause it to expand or shrink. However, applying a protective coating on timber decks can minimize the effects of weather exposure. PVC decks have a longer life because of its makeup. Because it has a plastic base, it is resistant to rotting, insects, moisture and scratch. However, PVC decks are not advisable in places where there is prolonged sun exposure since it can cause changes in colors and damage to the deck. 2. Appearance Keep in mind that the deck the most visible part of your home. So when purchasing a deck material makes sure it goes with your house’s design and style. Timber decks like hardwoods look gorgeous and can enhance any outdoor space. And with proper maintenance, it can maintain its lovely texture for a very long time. A great alternative for timber is composite decks. They have the gorgeous look of timber— from the colors and texture to the grain patterns. If you are tired of “wood look” then you can never go wrong with Aluminum decks or PVC decks. These durable materials give a fresh look and have different 3. Installation Timber decks are really majestic and beautiful, however, because of it is so dense, cutting and drilling can really be difficult. Aluminum, on the other hand, is lighter than timber which can be cut with the same carbide-tipped blades and saw used to cut woods. Composite decks are easier to install using hidden fasteners, deck screws, and clips for a seamless look. Also, PVC’s uses a similar fastener system to that of composite decks. 4. Weather Before you invest on decks, you need to determine the weather condition in your place. Will your deck have some shade or will be at the mercy of the sun? Aluminum and plastic decks can really get underfoot when exposed to the sun. Also, PVC’s enemy is the sun. Will it be dripped with rain or safe from moisture? Timber can take up moisture and swell. Make sure that you choose a material that should be able to withstand the weather condition you put it in. 5. Short-Term Cost When looking for a cheap deck option, you can never go wrong with timber decks. They offer great initial cost savings, availability of raw materials and a wide variety of grades. Composite decks are usually more expensive since most of the raw materials that are used can be recycled and offer high levels of performance and quality. PVC deck is also expensive but is not as expensive as Aluminum decks. Aluminum decks are essential twice the price of composite materials and traditional wood. 6. Long-Term Cost The long-term cost of any deck material is also an important factor to consider. Timber deck maintenance adds up over the lifetime. Moreover, if a part of the timber deck rots or warps, the total replacement cost will significantly increase. Composite decks are cheaper even though its initial cost is 2 to 3 times more per board. This is because of its durability and resistant to extreme weather conditions which can really save you money and time in the long run. 7. Care and Maintenance Lastly, you need to consider the amount of time you will spend on cleaning and maintaining your deck in order to keep it looking its best. Aluminum decks can be affected with stains and dirt that causes corrosion over time. You will need to clean it with a damp cloth or use water, a soft brush and a mild household detergent. Composite decking looks a lot like prefinished flooring. It never needs any painting, staining or sanding. However, they are not maintenance free. You need to clean it with water or soap occasionally or mildew and molds will grow. PVC does not need any painting, staining or any treatments you can simply shower it with a hose and allows to dry. Timber decks are different. They need the most maintenance. They require cleanings and should be treated resealed every 3 to 6 months. Neglecting proper maintenance and timber decks can rot, crack and lead to splinters.