Decks are great additions to your home during the summer, it can provide a great place to lounge around or entertain, to place furniture or have a grill station. There are many decking materials to choose from depending on your budget and personal taste.
Budgeting is the most important part of getting ready for the project. As with any other home improvement project, you should have a buffer set in the budget just in case something goes wrong. Next, look around for a professional, whether that be a contractor, architect, etc. They will help make sure that you stay within your budget as well as make sure everything runs efficiently. The decking materials you choose to build with should be closely linked to your budget.
Wood Decks
Wood decking is the most common material chosen. There are several types of wood to choose from. The wood types include: pressure treated wood, cedar, and several others. Wood has some of the cheapest prices, but unfortunately suffer from a few drawbacks. Maintenance is the biggest drawback. The decking needs to be resealed every year or so. Other drawbacks pertain to the wear and tear that wood goes through. There can be splitting, warping, and twisting that can make your deck look less than gorgeous.
Composite Decks
Composite decking is a great option for decking that has little to no maintenance, is highly durable, and eco-friendly. Each board is made with recycled wood and wrapped in a recycled plastic film. Although composite is bit more expensive per square foot than pressure treated wood, remember the fact that this decking will last longer, have less wear and tear, and stay beautiful for many years. Our company works with Trex decking, which is the #1 decking company in the U.S., they provide high quality composite decking in a wide range of colors to choose from.
Vinyl Decks
Vinyl decking is much like composite where there is little to no maintenance and high durability. There are a wide range of color options to choose from too. This material is also super easy to clean off, just a quick hosing and it’s ready to go. Unfortunately, it is prone to cracking and expanding when exposed to excessive heat and direct sunlight.
Overall, if you want to be able to just sit and enjoy your deck, buying composite or vinyl decking material is the way to go. If your budget doesn’t allow for you to get these materials, wood will be your best option. Make sure that if you are going with wood you go through the proper maintenance requirements so that your deck holds up as well as possible.
Our company, Shakespeare Home Improvement Co., works with Trex Decking. They the #1 decking brand. They have several lines of composite decking as well as railings, fencing, and outdoor lighting. If you are interested in pursuing a decking project here in Lancaster, PA, contact us for a free estimate.