There are many options to choose from and consider when selecting the material from which to build your new deck! The most common types and descriptions to help you choose the right material that’s best for you are listed below:
Untreated Wood
CONS
- High maintenance (requires some type of attention every 1 to 2 years)
- Splits easily
- Warps easily if not protected with paint , sealer, or stain
- Rots easily if not protected
PROS
- Inexpensive
- No health risk
- No harmful chemicals are applied
- No special clothing required to work with other than mask and goggles
Treated wood
CONS
- High maintenance (requires some type of attention every 1 to 2 years)
- Splits easily
- Warps easily if not protected with paint, sealer or stain
- Very hazardous chemicals- EPA REPORT (http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/reregistration/cca/ )
- Needs to weather 3 to 6 months before applying protection of your choice
- Requires clothing to protect hands, arms, face, and lungs when cutting
- The saw dust could kill your flowers ,vegetables or contaminate water supply
- Corrosive to improper fasteners
PROS
- Affordable
- Insect resistant
- Rot resistant for up to 40 years by some suppliers
- Stronger wood that is more difficult to scratch or dent
- Looks better longer when maintained
Cedar Wood
CONS
- High maintenance (requires some type of attention every 1 to 2 years)
- Moderately priced (not a low budget deck)
- Prone to wood borer bees
- Soft wood (dents and scratches easily)
- Looks tired after 10 years but last about 15 to 20 years
- Does not like shady damp areas- it will deteriorate
PROS
- Nice deep color when new
- Boards tend to lay flatter
- Less warping, twisting, and splitting
- Naturally resistant to most insects
- Resists moisture absorption
Composite Deck
CONS
- Expensive
- Can look fake and cheap depending on brand
- Not mold and mildew resistant, especially in shaded areas
- Can sag and warp
- Can be very slippery depending on brand
PROS
- Low maintenance (clean with eco-friendly detergent once a year)
- Looks good
- Fades evenly
- Insect resistant
- Water resistant
- Wont splinter or rot
- Can be stained after 4 to 6 months on most brands if you wish
- And no splinters in bare feet ( OH YEAAAH ! )
- Strong
- Doesn’t dent easily with furniture
Plastic Decking
CONS
- Cost more than cedar
- Needs more substructure to control bounce when walking on
- Not mold or mildew resistant
- Can be squeaky when walking on
- Can warp
- Colors and texture do not resemble wood
- Can crack with age and cold weather
PROS
- Low maintenance (clean with eco-friendly detergent once a year)
- Made from high density recycled plastics
- Lightweight
- Rot resistant
- Insect resistant
- Do not need to stain, paint, or seal
A lot of people turn to the internet to get some sort of price or ballpark estimate on their deck project.
THE BAD NEWS- It is virtually impossible for the internet to determine that. The reason being, there are many important specifications involved that factor into determining the overall price:
- Shape and size
- Material
- Building codes
- Permits
- Lay of the land
- What kind ground do you have (rocky, sandy, clay, and high water table to name a few)
- How many levels
- What kind of luxury’s (like built in seating, pit area, hot tub structure, lighting, etc.)
- Contractor (they should be BBB accredited and well reviewed recently and often with sites like Angie’s List)
- Size of company (larger heavily advertised companies have larger overhead)
- Sales people that are paid by commission (which can range from 10 to 20% of contract)
- What kind of access to the location of project
When considering a deck to improve your home, using the comfort of the internet is a good tool for some research, but not for getting a price!
Call Energy View Home Improvement today to get a free no obligation estimate at
314-598-2969