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Best Decking MaterialsOutdoor decks have always been popular - they are a way to civilize the outdoor experience, letting you enjoy the fresh air while keeping you out of the dirt, grass, and foliage. Adding a deck to your yard increases the value of your home, just as a patio does. Decks are also popular on upper levels of homes, giving you elevated viewing platforms and increasing your living space. The toughest part about building a deck is the preliminary work - setting up concrete footers and pilings, making sure all your joists are level and sloped properly away from the house, etc. Once that is done, installing the actual decking planks is easy, with just some sawing to slow you down. The worst thing about wooden decks though is the maintenance and repair they entail - insect damage, peeling paint, water damage, warping and cracking, the list goes on and on. If you choose to use wood, you will have to deal with these issues when they come up. Many people like the traditional look and feel of wooden decks, but in this guide we will also check out some composite and metal decks to see how much they cost, how they work, and why they are better than wooden decks.
Deck Designs - Building a DeckWhen it comes to deck projects, there are usually two sets of circumstances - you are either designing and building a new deck, or replacing an old deck. When replacing an old deck, most people keep the existing layout and design, but when you are starting from scratch, your first step is designing the size and look of the deck and railing system that you want. To get started we suggest you visit Decks.com. This very thorough site has a bunch of pictures of decks to give you ideas and images to show to your deck contractor. You can search by multi-level decks, ground level, swimming pool decks, front porches, decks with benches, etc. Then they offer a bunch of deck calculators - how much concrete you need for footings, how much deck flooring material you need based on the size of your deck, etc. They have a large article section, with information on painting and sealing decks, using a pressure washer, hiring a deck builder, designing a deck, etc. In their deck design articles, they cover things you need to consider, like where the deck will be located in relation to the house, how the deck will be used and how much space is needed, whether you will be dining on the deck, privacy concerns, shade considerations, etc. You can also visit DoItYourself.com to check out their many articles related to decks -- deck building 101, deck maintenance, common problems and fixes for exterior wood, building outdoor stairs, etc.Wooden DecksThe most common building material for outdoor decks is still wood - namely pressure treated lumber (usually southern yellow pine). Pressure treated lumber is created by forcing chemicals into the wood under intense pressures - hence the name. These chemicals act as preservatives for the wood and help keep moisture out and prevent rotting, decay, and insect damage. Pressure treated wood is especially recommended in applications where the wood needs to come in contact with the ground, like in fences or posts. Other popular woods for decking include redwood (which resists decay naturally), red cedar, and mahogany. Wood decks do take more work to maintain, so plan on a regular system of painting, sealing, and cleaning.Composite DeckingGiven the significant maintenance problems relating to wood decking, various composite materials have gained popularity and acceptance over the years. Composite decking is made from a mixture of plastic chemicals and sawdust/wood, and it is normally given a wood grain so that it looks somewhat like wood on the outside. How much does composite decking cost? Yakima makes composite decking materials that run about $1.25 per lineal foot. From their website: "Yakima offers 1 3/8" thick x 5 9/16" wide premium composite decking in both 12' and 16' lengths. This composite decking is available in gray wood grain and cedar brown finish , with additional texture for slip resistance. Yakima's low maintenance finish is protected with UV inhibitors to ensure long-lasting color. Yakima composite decking is incredibly hard and strong and will provide years of trouble free service. Yakima's weather resistance and slip resistant surface also make it ideal for boat docks of all types." You may have seen some of this composite material in benches or playgrounds - it kind of looks like a mix between plastic and wood. You can order if direct from BuildDirect.com. Another composite choice is Vinyl PVC decking - the type made by Quadra sells for about $1.70 per lineal foot. Another composite decking choice is CorrectDeck.com. Their CorrectDeck materials (made from 40% polypropylene and 60% recycled hardwood sawdust) are stain, mold, and scratch resistant, and they resist fading, cracking, and moisture. They have a hidden fastening system as well, so you don't see a bunch of nail or screw holes all over your deck. Trex is the other big name in composite decking (Trex.com). Trex is also made from recycled wood and plastic, and stands up better to the harsh environment decks face -- no painting or staining, no splinters, no cracking or warping, no insect damage, slip resistant, UV resistant. You can buy Trex at lumberyards nationwide. How much does a Trex deck cost? It will be more than normal lumber, usually around 40-60% more. But keep in mind the future savings from not having to paint and maintain it, and not having to replace it in 10-15 years. As a cost example, building a 500 square foot deck with railing and stairs would set you back about $14K for a pressure treated wooden deck and more like $20K for a composite deck. Redwood is closer in cost to composite, about $20 per square foot vs. $23-25 for composites.Aluminum DecksAnother alternative to wood decking is aluminum decking. An aluminum deck gives you a very clean look and is pretty much maintenance free once installed. Most designs offer interlocking panels, creating a waterproof surface that keeps the area below the deck dry as well. LockDry.com is one maker of aluminum decking, available in white, gray, almond, and clay. Most of the water is drained right off the surface channels of the decking, while any that seeps inside is picked up by a continuous gutter strip underneath that agains channels water towards the drainage area. Unlike wood, aluminum doesn't crack, warp, or rot, so the hassles of ongoing repairs, painting, and maintenance are avoided. LockDry attaches directly to the joists with single screws, and allow for joist spacing of up to 24". The interlocking design hides all the screws and fasteners, leaving you with a nice, smooth surface. The surface is non-skid, and it remains much cooler than wood or concrete when exposed to sun and heat (ie, kids won't burn their feet walking across the deck in summer). The decking comes in 6" wide planks, 1" tall, in lengths from 12-30 feet. Another option is called DryDeck by XccentDecking.com. Same basic concept, with a gasket seal between pieces to keep water out and draining properly off the surface. No need to stain or paint, no rust (available in tan or white).
Do you have a quality site or product that belongs in this guide? We are always happy to evaluate or review new products and websites. Feel free to contact us at the email address below and let us know about you. If you have a demo product you'd like us to look at, please contact us before sending anything. Thank you.
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