How do you know whether you're choosing the right type of deck board? Is one better than the other?
I have received more questions from customers about the type of decking they should choose than I hear my three year old spouting out “why?” throughout the day. My first thought I get when I hear this question is always, “You should go with a composite type decking.” After all, it is the most easily available, easily maintained, and offers the most color and texture options out there. However, there are other options for the homeowner to consider.
There are three main types of material to which you can build your deck out of. Wood, composite, and aluminum deck boards are flying off the shelves and being purchased now more than ever before. All three have their pros and cons, but some differ dramatically at how much maintenance you need to do, weather considerations for your area, color, texture, and of course your personal preference. Deciding upon your decking material can make a huge impact on your budget and your outdoor living space.
Wood
Wood is your standard deck board. Often referred to by contractors as the “old school way of decking.” It requires upkeep and maintenance throughout the life of the deck. Cedar and redwood are contractors' go to, both are soft wood, and can require a lot of maintenance depending on your utilization of the deck. However, you can stain cedar and redwood decks to bring a natural wood color out.
Composite
Composite deck boards come in a variety of colors. Most people stick with the grays and the browns, but some clients prefer exotic colors. You can find almost any color you wish online. Main composite companies and distributors (such as Fiberon, Timbertech, and Trex) offer you a variety of different textures and different colors. PVC is the highest grade of material used by these manufactures. They provide the best warranty and have the ability to form unique circles and shapes when installed.
Aluminum
Aluminum decking is newer to the game, as far as residential goes at least. Aluminum decking can be water tight with channels within the deck boards that allow for a dry space below the surface. Warranty on aluminum decking, along with composite decking, usually starts at the 25 year mark and continues up.
So what do I tell all my customers? I say, “There are three main factors to consider: Maintenance, Budget, and how well it accents your outdoor living space. At the end of the day, I like to provide you with a wide variety of decking material, and samples that you can keep and will usually follow back up after three to seven days.
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