What Is The Best Type Of Deck Material? Get The Info To Make The Right Choice
Adding the right deck is is an essential part of any home. In the warm months it is your outdoor living room, your gathering place outside. Sharing good company outdoors is a special experience, and a good home should offer the best possible environment for this. The material you use to build your deck is important, and the different options each come with their own advantages and disadvantages. There are a few ways you can go, and this article examines the two three most popular.
Composite Materials: Practical With High Customization
Composite decks are usually made from a combination of plastic and wood. This gets them close to a natural appearance, but the added plastics help durability. The require some, but very little maintenance compared to the alternatives. At between $8 and $20 per square foot, depending on what options you choose, the price can be a good bit higher than most woods. However, over time, the low maintenance requirements can more than offset the initial investment.
Wood Decks: Natural Look, Reasonable Price
Natural wood decks are still as popular as ever. But their well known drawbacks can be significant. For one, the maintenance required is extensive. They must be regularly treated and stained to avoid dry rot and insect invasion. They also grow mold easily, and don't always hold up well to the elements. That said, they have a classic, natural look and feel that most people cherish.
Best of Both Worlds: High Grade Woods
The key unique quality that makes teak flooring such an outstanding choice for outdoor decks and furniture, is its ability to retain its protective, natural oils and rubbers. All trees contain these protective substances naturally, but most lose a great quantity of them when cut down and processed. A recycled teak, more than any other type, does not lose them. This gives it more resilience to the elements, and resistance to dry rot, while others degrade relatively quickly. While other woods require extensive regular maintenance, teak wood needs virtually none. The oils and rubbers also protect from destructive bugs, like termites, ants and beetles, as well as harmful plants and fungi. The look and feel of teak wood deck is also superior. If treated, it will maintain a strong, bold dark color, or if allowed, it will fade into a rustic gray.
The right deck depends on personal aesthetic taste, how much maintenance the owner is willing to put in, how well it goes with the rest of the house, and of course the price. With the information from this article, any home owner who wishes to add a deck can select the best option to research further.
