If you are choosing among the numerous decking materials available in the market to replace your existing deck or to build a new one, you should have a concrete idea on what products you should choose and where you or your contractor should install them. The best decks are always created with careful planning and design. Furthermore, where and how they are installed should reflect architectural elements of a house. To make sure that no part of your house is not in theme, make sure that multiple decks have touches of uniformity in them.
It would be good to use one only one best decking materials and to have similar designs. You can decide to design them on your own or ask for the help of your builder or designer. The costs of having decks installed vary from contractor to contractor and are mainly based on the decks’ height and construction; however, the costs average at around $25 to $35 per square foot. If you are looking for something that aren’t too expensive, you can opt to use pressure treated Pine, on the other hand, if you are willing to splurge, you can decide to choose among the exotic hardwood species and top-end coated composite decking. Listed below is a list of the decking materials available to make choosing much easier.
IPE
An IPE deck is usually made out of Brazilian rainforest lumber best known for its qualities including durability and strength. It is a good choice for people who want to have naturally dark decks. The cost of IPE mainly depends on thickness.
Redwood
This type of wood is classified as softwood and is damaged by hail easily. Since it takes years for redwood to mature, it is thus, not a sustainable wood source and is not an ideal deck to use for outdoors.
Tiger wood
It is made out of Brazilian or African rainforest lumber. Unlike IPE which has a solid dark color, it has a light and dark color variation hence the name. Furthermore, it is also known for being robust and sturdy.
Pressure treated pine
This kind of wood is made out of southern yellow pine. It needs to be pressure treated to avoid rotting, decaying and insect damage. Before staining, sealing or installing this wood, it is important that you let all the chemicals dry out to avoid unwanted releasing of the chemicals. As mentioned earlier, pressure treated pine is the cheapest decking material because it is prone to splitting and twisting and does not work well in dry climates.
Cedar Wood The Best Decking Material
Like redwood, cedar is classified as softwood and is also damaged by hail easily.
If you are deciding on whether to use real wood or composite decking, this might help you out. Using real wood is a good option because you will be assured of a deck that is sturdy, durable and a deck that will not be prone to splits and breakage; however, real wood can be extremely expensive. On the other hand, composite decking materials are composed of plastic and wood plys which rely on a specific type of adhesive or glue to stick them all together. Composite decking materials can be much cheaper than real wood, but there are some environmental concerns which involve them. The good news is, no matter which one you choose, both types would last for about 25 years if they are properly maintained.
Conclusion
Deciding on which decking material you use would mainly depend on the purpose, the location and on your budget. Make sure that you consider these three factors when choosing among the decking materials available to make sure that you pick the one that best suits your home best. Make sure to let me know if you have already chosen a decking material in the comments below.