How to Choose the Right Decking Materials
When you know you take to supersede your deck, you typically just know. The finishing on the surface of the decking materials starts to look worn. In more extreme cases, portions of the boards can be completely rotted through or broken. In the most extreme cases, the frame could start to deteriorate, leading to hazardous deck collapses.
If you're in a position where your electric current deck could use some TLC, average repair costs tin can be in the depression thousands of dollars. A whole new deck tin price anywhere from thousands of dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the decking materials yous use, the size of the deck and local labor costs.
Boilerplate estimates for how long it takes to consummate a deck are effectually a calendar week or less, whether you use a contractor or build the deck yourself. Deck repair tin take as little as a day if repairs are minor. However, contractor schedules can vary.
Beneath, we'll accept a look at the types of decking materials, covering some basic pros and cons of each. Simply start, you should appraise whether to repair or supervene upon that deck.
Sometimes individual boards on the deck might need to exist replaced. Image: WKanadpon/Shutterstock
Should you lot Repair your Deck?
The first question you should be asking is whether the frame itself is showing signs of corrosion. Damage to the structural back up tin can lead to deck plummet. Sometimes corrosion will be obvious, like in cases where you can see rot on the edge of the deck frame itself. But yous may accept to become a professional to perform an inspection if y'all're not an skillful on woodwork. They'll look at more than technical things, like guardrail and stair connections.
Luckily, decks with structural support intact, but worn boards and railings, tin get away with a uncomplicated repair to the decking materials. Y'all only need to supercede the individual boards and railings that need repair. Some decks may need just a uncomplicated refinishing.
Nonetheless, if you want newer materials, know that they could be heavier. In cases like these, the deck volition need additional supports. The cost of additional supports could approach just putting in a new deck.
Equally another note, older decks from before 2004 ofttimes contained the toxic chemical chromated copper arsenate, a blazon of lumber preservative that has been labeled a carcinogen due to the arsenic information technology contains. Fortunately, you can have these types of decks refinished by a professional, which can seal away the chemic.
Natural wood can requite a deep color and attractive texture to a deck. Image: Lauren Blackwell/Shutterstock
Types of Decking Materials
The market offers a broad array of options for decking materials, each of which has its own pros and cons. Beneath is a handy outline of the most common types of decking materials to aid y'all decide which is correct for you lot.
Pressure-treated lumber
This is made of natural wood, but it's chemically treated to resist bugs, fungus and rot. It's affordable and piece of cake to source. However, information technology can fissure, warp and split with time. It also requires maintenance, similar yearly power washing and restaining every couple of years or so. And people with natural living and sustainability concerns may want to avert decking materials with chemical treatments. All the same, it'due south also the least expensive type of decking material.
Natural woods
Natural woods are a great investment for people who desire to avoid the chemicals of pressure-treated lumber. Some types of woods take oils and tannins that make them naturally resistant to rot and bugs, like redwood and red cedar. Tropical hardwoods tin can too take similar resistant qualities, like tigerwood and ipe.
Shop carefully for these types of decking materials, as unlike types of woods are more than hearty than others. And, like pressure level treated lumber, natural woods like redwood require annual power washing and a new stain every few years. Dissimilar woods will take their ain maintenance needs, so practise your homework. Prices tin be all over the identify based on woods quality and type.
Composites
Wood fiber and plastic make up this decking textile. It's a highly durable option that doesn't warp, rot or separate as easily as natural wood tin. Y'all don't need to refinish it, only optional paint or stain can give information technology a fresh look. However, it looks more than artificial, and then some people might not like the loss of natural texture and color that tin can come up with moving away from natural woods. And it can grow mold and break down over time. Yous'll be looking at mid-range pricing, compared to other decking materials.
Plastic
This type of deck is ordinarily fabricated from PVC and polyethylene, a couple of popular options. At that place is also plastic lumber, which is made entirely of 100 percentage recyclable plastic. Plastic is more durable, especially in that it doesn't rot or decay. Plus, it's very light. However, this way is getting even further away from the natural beauty of hardwood, which tin can exist a con for people who like that artful. It can besides exist slippery and might sag. Similar composites, prices tend to be mid-range.
Aluminum
Aluminum is one of those ultimate decking materials in terms of immovability. It doesn't rot, bugs tin can't swallow it, it'south mold resistant, it won't scissure or warp and its finishes terminal and final. For a con, all the same, it's the most expensive type of decking. And some people may not similar the sterile artful of a metallic deck.
As you can see, each decking type has its distinct pluses and minuses. Then the right decking for you lot volition depend on your budget, tolerance for deck maintenance, backyard entertainment needs and aesthetic preference.
And think, if the toll of repairing or upgrading a deck is close to putting in a new one, you might just be better off getting a brand new deck that may last longe
Source: https://www.mymove.com/home-inspiration/decoration-design-ideas/how-to-choose-the-right-decking-materials/