 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Which Deck Material?
A new deck can provide a great outdoor living space for you and your family to enjoy for many years to come. It is also a great investment because a nice deck will add to the value of your home. Before you get started there are many important decisions to make. Will you hire a contractor or do you have the skills and time to do it yourself? Will you use low-maintenance materials or wood? What is your budget for this project? What size and design should you choose?
The beginning phases of planning a deck project are often referred to as the day dreaming phase. Spend some time browsing images of decks, learning more about material options, and get an idea of the cost involved. Once you have a handle on the basics you can iron out the details. Redwood This is a popular, naturally rot-resistant wood. With a clear sealer applied biannually, redwood will last a long time. It is easy to find on the West Coast and at large home improvement centers elsewhere. The reddish hue is not suited to the look of every home. It is the most expensive decking material, so consider using another wood for the framing and redwood for decking. Cedar This rot-resistant wood is strong and durable. It is more common in the South and on the West Coast. Cedar weathers silvery gray unless you apply a sealer. It costs about 20 percent less than redwood, depending on availability. Cypress Another rot-resistant wood, cypress is most popular in the Southeast. It is not as strong as cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated wood. Consider using a pressure-treated wood for the frame and cypress for decking. It costs a little less than cedar in the South and a little more everywhere else. Pressure-treated Lumber This is the strongest and most readily available lumber. Most comes with a greenish cast that weathers to a silvery gray, but you can also get it pre-stained to look like cedar or redwood. Treated lumber is the most affordable deck material, and thanks to new laws restricting the chemicals used to preserve the wood, today's treated lumber is safe. Synthetic Decking If low maintenance is your key concern, consider synthetic materials. Plastic lumber, which is made of recycled milk jugs and grocery bags, does not absorb moisture. Molded in various colors, plastic lumber can be painted, but it will never quite take on the look of wood. For proper installation, you need to use sliding clips because plastic expands and contracts in temperature extremes. |