You want to build a deck on the back of your house, but you can't
decide what material you want to use? This is a common problem
especially with all the different types of woods and composites you can
choose from these days.
First thing you need to decide is how much time do you want spend maintaining your deck because it doesn't matter how well built a deck is it will still need maintenance from time to time. Depending on what type of material you use will also determine how often.
Let's take a look at the choices we have first then you can decide on what you want to do. Wood is an option that a lot of people choose. It has been the number one deck building material for decades and is still used widely today because it's readily available for a reasonable price.
Some of the benefits of wood is that it will last for many years if it's taken care of properly. You need to purchase treated lumber and maintain it regularly by cleaning it with cleaning compounds and protecting it from the harsh weather with a sealer.
Your next choice is composite wood it is made of wood flour and a polymer. The best types are made from furniture quality maple wood flour and encapsulated in strong 100 percent virgin high-density polyethylene.
Using composite boards over wood has some unique advantages. For one it will not rot, splinter or crack like regular wood does. The polymer totally encapsulates the wood leaving it water resistant and free from mold and mildew attack.
Composite boards made of recycled plastic and wood have an advantage over 100% plastic also by being more ridged because of the reinforcement provided by the wood fibers.
If you still think that wood is a nicer material because you like the look of the wood grain then you should realize that composite boards come in 4 different wood colors and are shaped the same as regular boards and they show a wood grain.
You can saw, fit, router, and work with composite boards the same way as you do with regular wood with one real big added bonus. You don't have near the maintenance that comes with a 100% wood deck. One thing you should know is that after installing your composite deck you will notice some fading as it gets acclimatized to its new environment.
First thing you need to decide is how much time do you want spend maintaining your deck because it doesn't matter how well built a deck is it will still need maintenance from time to time. Depending on what type of material you use will also determine how often.
Let's take a look at the choices we have first then you can decide on what you want to do. Wood is an option that a lot of people choose. It has been the number one deck building material for decades and is still used widely today because it's readily available for a reasonable price.
Some of the benefits of wood is that it will last for many years if it's taken care of properly. You need to purchase treated lumber and maintain it regularly by cleaning it with cleaning compounds and protecting it from the harsh weather with a sealer.
Your next choice is composite wood it is made of wood flour and a polymer. The best types are made from furniture quality maple wood flour and encapsulated in strong 100 percent virgin high-density polyethylene.
Using composite boards over wood has some unique advantages. For one it will not rot, splinter or crack like regular wood does. The polymer totally encapsulates the wood leaving it water resistant and free from mold and mildew attack.
Composite boards made of recycled plastic and wood have an advantage over 100% plastic also by being more ridged because of the reinforcement provided by the wood fibers.
If you still think that wood is a nicer material because you like the look of the wood grain then you should realize that composite boards come in 4 different wood colors and are shaped the same as regular boards and they show a wood grain.
You can saw, fit, router, and work with composite boards the same way as you do with regular wood with one real big added bonus. You don't have near the maintenance that comes with a 100% wood deck. One thing you should know is that after installing your composite deck you will notice some fading as it gets acclimatized to its new environment.
