Choosing the right deck material is a big decision that can have a lasting impact on your home. You want something that will last for years, so you can enjoy your outdoor space for years to come. Decks are also big investments, so it’s important to get this right. In this guide, we’ll show you how to choose the right decking material based on your needs and budget.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best deck material for your needs. Here are some tips:
How Much Space Do You Need?
The first thing to look at is how much space you need to cover with a deck. This will help determine what type of material fits best within your budget and aesthetic preferences. If you’re looking for something that’s more affordable and easier to install yourself, then composites like pressure-treated wood might be a good option for you. If you want something more natural-looking and don’t mind paying more for it, then hardwoods are probably better suited for your needs.
Determine Your Budget
The first step in choosing material for decking boards is determining your budget. You should take into account how much you want to spend on the project and include other costs like labor and permits. If you are building from scratch, you will need to hire a contractor or do it yourself. If you are planning on replacing an existing deck, then there may be some costs associated with demolition as well.
Consider Your Climate Conditions
The climate where you live can affect how long materials last before needing replacement or repair work done on them due to weather damage or deterioration over time due to environmental factors like extreme heat or cold temperatures that could cause wood rot faster than normal which leads us into our next tip!
Type of wood
The most common decking materials are pressure-treated pine and cedar. Pressure-treated lumber offers many benefits because it’s durable and withstands the elements well. Cedar is more aesthetically pleasing than pine but doesn’t stand up as well to weather.
Appearance
The most popular choices for wood are natural cedar and redwood. Other options include composite boards that look like wood but don’t require maintenance or painting. Composite boards are usually less expensive than real wood products but also more susceptible to damage from exposure to the elements.
Durability
Pressure-treated lumber lasts about 20 years on average before needing replacement, while cedar can last 30 years or more if properly maintained. Composite materials tend to last longer than pressure-treated lumber but not as long as cedar; they typically last 15 to 20 years before needing replacement or extensive maintenance work.
Composite
Composite decks offer many of the same benefits as wood decks, but they don’t require regular maintenance or extra care because they’re made from recycled materials such as plastic bottles and newspaper scraps that are bonded together by resin under high pressure in large molds (“injection molding”). Composite decks are also much less likely than wood decks to crack or split due to temperature changes because their cores don’t expand.
Also read: A Quick Guide To The Best Kinds of Bathroom Floor Tile
