It is essential to understand your options before deciding on the material to use for your deck. Also, you need to consider the maintenance requirements to maintain your deck for many years. These are the most common materials you can choose from for your deck.
The most commonly used type of wood decking is pressure-treated lumber. While not all lumber is treated the same way, pressure-treated lumber is permeated by chemicals that have insecticides or anti-rot properties. This helps to improve its natural durability. It is also easy to find, easy to cut, and easy to work with. You can stain your pressure-treated lumber to make it appealing and complement your tastes.
It’s best to allow your deck to weather for several months before applying stain. There are also some benefits to sanding the deck before using colors. There are many different grades like ipe of treated wood. Your local supplier will be able to help you select the best quality for your needs.
Composite decking and wood decking are very different. Ordinary lumber is more likely to split, warp, crack, or otherwise fail to hold its shape. Regular maintenance is also required for pressure-treated lumber. However, regular maintenance can help extend the life expectancy of pressure-treated wood decks. This can be done by power washing, sanding, and re-staining. The cost of pressure-treated wood can be pretty affordable at $3-$6 per sq. foot.
Cedar is generally considered a superior material to pressure-treated lumber. Over time, this natural wood will become a soft gray tone. It is light and easy to work with, making it great for DIY projects. Cedar is also resistant to infestation and decay due to natural tannins.
When choosing cedar to deck your home, it is essential to know that sapwood is not the same as heartwood. The heartwood comes from the tree’s center and is much denser than the sapwood. Heartwood lumber is stronger against environmental decay because of its higher density.
Cedar is similar to pressure-treated wood in that it requires regular maintenance. You can expect your cedar decking to be more durable than standard pressure-treated wood decking if you choose high-quality cedar. Cedar can be purchased for between $7 and $15 per square foot. Although there are many different quality levels of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), most of them are very durable. PVC decking of high quality has virtually no weaknesses compared to wood. Vinyl decking can be used almost without maintenance, such as sanding and staining.
Vinyl has a more comprehensive aesthetic range than other lumber. Many colors are available, including brown, gray, white, and tan. You can even find patterns that closely resemble the grain of the wood. PVC has a more comprehensive aesthetic range than other lumber. PVC comes in various colors: brown, gray, white, and tan. There are even patterns that replicate the wood grain. Solid PVC decking has existed for more than 20 years. It has undergone significant improvements in its formulation and aesthetics. It is lighter than other synthetic decking materials making it easier for workers to move around.