The deck is a flat surface that is elevated from the ground and attached to the building. The deck is built to extend the living area of the house, expand the balcony of the house, as an alternative patio or part of the garden landscaping. Decks are used to host outdoor dinner parties, cocktail parties, and private house gatherings.
There are a plethora of decking materials available in the market, and you can choose the best one according to their needs. You need to choose the right decking material as per your specific requirements and budget. A detailed analysis of each kind of decking material will help in making the right choice.
Pressure-treated wood
Pressure-treated wood is the most popular decking material as attested by the fact that 75% of decks are constructed of pressure-treated wood. A deck made of pressure-treated wood is resistant against rotting, molds, wood-boring bugs and insects. Earlier, pressure-treated timber used to be managed with chromatic copper arsenal, which is a carcinogen. It is the reason why it has been replaced with alkaline copper Quaternary, which is safer and poses a health hazard only if it catches fire. Pressure-treated wood is also an economical option as it costs just $1.50 to $2.50 per square feet.
Pressure-treated wood tends to warp, split and crack over some time. Thus, maintenance is essential for pressure-treated wood decking. Lumber preservative, stain, and sealer must be applied every year along with power washing to prolong the life of the pressure-treated decking.
Tropical hardwood
Tropical hardwood decking is made of tropical hardwood species such as Arum, Tigerwood, Ipe, Massaranduba, Philippine mahogany, Red tauari and many more. The decks made of tropical hardwood species are naturally resistant against rotting and insects. Thus, there is no need for chemical treatment of the wood. Tropical hardwood species are richly grained and very hard which makes the decks highly durable and aesthetically appealing.
The downside of tropical hardwood decks is that it is tough to drill holes in them because of the high density of tropical hardwood species. Thus, it is challenging to fix nails and screws into the deck. Tropical hardwood deck cannot be stained with any other stain except oil-based stains specially created for tropical hardwood species. In the absence of stain, the deck assumes a silvery appearance due to exposure to sun, wind, and rain. Thus, even if the wood is not stained, it is necessary to apply a UV-blocking preservative on the deck. Tropical hardwood decking is also expensive costing $8 to $12 per square foot.
Redwood and Cedar
Redwood and Cedar make for superior decking because of their natural resistance against rotting, decay and insects imparted by the tannin and oils present in them. They are light in weight but sturdy. Redwood and cedar are also resistant to fire. The natural color and finish of redwood and cedar make the decks aesthetically appealing.
Redwood and cedar decks need power washing once a year. It is necessary to stain the deck to preserve the natural color of redwood or cedar and prevent it from assuming a silvery grey color.
Redwood decking costs $6 to $8 per square foot while cedar decking costs $3.75 to $5 per square foot.
When considering decking materials, it’s essential to complement your outdoor space with elements like sound barrier fencing, which can enhance the overall ambiance. Explore options from G&B Quality Cedar Products for a thoughtful integration of aesthetics and functionality.
Composite
Composite is an artificial decking material made of recycled plastic and wood fibers. They come in a plethora of colors and designs. Composite decks do not get affected by insects and also do not warp or splinter. Plus, composite wood decking is cost-effective and water-resistant.
Composite decks are susceptible to decay and mold growth. Now you can search the best wood decking online and choose the one that is durable and long-lasting.
