If you are considering adding a deck to your home, don’t overlook choosing the right material to meet your needs. While pressure treated wood has been the traditional and most popular decking material, composites and exotic hardwoods are great options for aesthetic and functional reasons. Here are three things to consider when making your decision.
1. Durability
Once you make the decision to invest in a deck, you want the materials to last a long time. After 20 years (sometimes less in Atlanta’s hot and humid climate), deterioration often begins. Fortunately, pressure treated wood, composite, and hardwood construction materials mitigate the harsh effects of UV sunlight, mold, and mildew.
2. Appearance
Pressure treated wood enjoys a beautiful, natural look while ensuring durability. It’s also moisture, fungi, fire, and insect resistant! To top it off, pressure treated wood decks are very comfortable underfoot.
Composite decking’s appearance looks like wood but unlike wood, never needs to be stained. We often recommend Fiberon® boards because they reflect the warm tones and grain patterns of genuine hardwoods. Our customers also love the wide array of color choices from soft grey to deep espresso that complements their residence.
If you are after a rich look, consider an exotic hardwood deck such as Ipe which is typically rich brown with red and amber hues. The decking grain is very dense and tight with contrasting patterns throughout the boards. The fine texture and interlocking grain makes Ipe very slip resistant.
3. Maintenance
Even with composites, there is literally no such thing as a maintenance-free decking material. Natural wood requires the most maintenance while composites require less—especially over time. You clean composite decking the same way you clean wood, by scrubbing with soap and water.
Choosing the right material for your deck is a critical step. One sure fire way to select what’s best for you is to simply ask us. We are not shy about sharing our opinions based on our years of experience building beautiful and long-lasting decks that our customers enjoy year after year.
