Decking

Selecting the Right Materials

The first thing to know about choosing decking material is that all decks use treated lumber for the framing, which is the structural part of the deck that you don’t usually see unless you’re underneath it. So the decision process usually involves only the materials that will make up the decking surface and railings.

Natural vs. Composite Decking Materials

You have two main categories of deck materials to choose from: natural wood or manmade products – but there are a lot of options within each of these categories. The most popular wood products are treated lumber and cedar. Other species of wood such as redwood and hardwoods like Ipe, jutoba and tigerwood are also used on decks, but not nearly as often. Manmade deck material products include composites, PVC and vinyl.

The majority of decks built today are made of wood. The main reason people choose wood is for the initial cost savings. The main reason people choose composite or manmade deck materials is for the low maintenance required.

So what deck material is best for you? There are numerous factors to evaluate before making a decision. You’ll need to ask questions like: How will the deck be used? Is it in a shaded area or a sunny one? How long do you plan to live in your home? Do you plan on doing your own deck maintenance or hiring a company to do it for you? As you can see, the questions are endless.