Tips for Choosing the Best Materials for Your New Deck

Can’t wait to have your own deck so you can have more space in your backyard? Whether you’re embarking on a DIY project or hiring professionals to get the job done for you, it will be crucial that you are hands-on when choosing the materials that will be used. 

Do you have to build a deck using wood? Believe it or not, nowadays, you don’t. Thanks to technology, plenty of other materials have been developed, giving homeowners and builders additional options. 

Read on if you want to find out what materials can you use to build a deck other than wood. We’ve got tips for choosing the best ones for your needs.

Composition

Wood isn’t the only material you can use for your deck. There are other materials as well like pressure-treated lumber, aluminum, and composites. Each has its own pros and cons, of course, so you’ll have to look into that to find the right choice.

But if you’re looking for something sustainable, then aluminum would be a great choice as it is 100 percent recyclable. You can also get aluminum decking in a variety of colors and wood finishes to give it that rustic, natural vibe, so you don’t have to worry about keeping it a dull and drab metallic gray. 

Meanwhile, pressure-treated lumber and exotic hardwoods are the natural options, but they will, for sure, be chemically treated to make them bug, fungi, and rot-proof.

Maintenance

Owning a deck means getting extra space, and extra space means extra items on your cleaning list. The good thing is that there are materials that you can basically just install and leave on their own to take care of themselves. 

The most low-maintenance decking materials would be aluminum and composites. Aside from the typical clean-up for spills and mud tracks, there really isn’t anything else you’ll need to do to keep the surface clean. 

PT lumber, however, does require some degree of effort on your part. But don’t worry, it’s not by too much. A power wash once a year should do, while re-staining could be done every three years.

Durability

We all want our decks to last for as long as we want them around. Especially because they will be put to good use, it’s important that the materials you choose are strong and durable enough to resist wear and tear for as long as possible. 

Aluminum and synthetic materials like composites and PVC are definitely the top choices for this, if only for the fact that they are impervious to the natural cycle of wear and tear for more natural wood products. 

However, that’s not to say that lumber and hardwood aren’t durable! They are very durable too, especially when prepared and treated for longevity. 

These are a few, important considerations you should factor in when choosing the best materials for your deck. If you have any uncertainties, it’s best to consult with your contractor or supplier.

Categorised in: Decks