With American homeowners spending up to $12,000 on a new deck, it’s an investment you want to think carefully about. Costs include everything from the top deck materials and hardware to building labor. And, of course, the larger the outdoor patio, the more expensive the project.
If you’re wondering how to build a deck and keep costs affordable, read on to explore your options for building materials.
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Pressure-Treated Wood
If you’re a deck designer, you’ll undoubtedly be familiar with pressure-treated wood. It’s among the most common of all decking materials used in America today. Pressure-treated planks are treated with chemicals that prevent the wood from rot and insect infestation. Homeowners can choose to stain this neutral decking material in any color they want and choose from a wide range of grades to suit any budget.
PVC Deck Boards
While some people might initially shy away from plastic for their covered patio or deck plans, it might be worth having another look.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) decking boards are available in various color options, sizes, and finishes. They’re almost impervious to environmental damage, don’t need to be sanded, stained, or oiled, and are a breeze to lay down.
While this material has higher up-front costs than most natural wood, it can last up to thirty years with very little maintenance.
Natural Wood
Natural wood is the traditional choice for decking material. It’s beautiful, long-lasting, and sustainable.
Cedar
Cedar is a high-quality option for those seeking a more traditional balcony or patio. This tree-born material is resistant to decay and pests (due to the naturally occurring tannins), is lightweight, and weathers to a soft grey color over time if left unstained. Bear in mind that this wood requires regular maintenance, including annual refinishing.
Hardwoods
Hardwoods are long-wearing woods sourced from tropical locals where the trees grow slowly over many years. Options in America include ipe, mahogany, tigerwood, and cumaru. These woods usually sport beautifully rich natural tones, ranging from crimson to soft grey.
Beware, however, that there is some debate over the sustainability of exotic hardwoods. This, combined with their high price, may put some buyers off.
Composite Materials
Composite wood types combine wood or other organic materials like rice hulls with, most commonly, low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In some cases, the plastic component is sourced from recyclables.
These decking boards are reasonably priced, extremely long-wearing (up to 25 years), and come in many colors and finish options. They’re scratch and pest-resistant, too. Best of all, composite decking is easy to install and requires little ongoing maintenance outside of a yearly wash.
Top Deck Materials for a Top Deck
It takes a lot of research into the top deck materials to decide what you want for your property. This isn’t an area to skimp on because the material makes up the foundation of your deck.
And don’t be swayed by the beauty of hardwoods. With today’s technology, manufactured options look just as good and can last longer.
If you’re looking for more homeowner advice, dive into the other articles on our website.
