Pros and Cons of These Popular Decking Materials

Having a deck in your backyard provides a great area to have parties and barbecues, eat dinner outdoors, and enjoy the look of your garden from a comfortable and decorated space. Before you have one built, you first need to decide on the desired materials. Here are some popular decking materials to consider for your new deck, and pros and cons of each to decide which one is best.

Wood

One of the most popular types of decking materials is wood. Wood decking can be made of hardwood or softwood, or pressure-treated wood. Tropical hardwood, redwood and cedar are all popular wood varieties for a deck. 

Pros:

  • Wood has a natural look you can't beat, even when you choose pressure-treated wood.
  • Wood is often less expensive than alternative decking materials.
  • Your deck will have a warmer look, especially when you choose hardwood.

Cons:

  • Wood has the risk of warping, splitting or cracking, though pressure-treated wood helps protect against these conditions.
  • Wood requires sealing to protect against insects like termites, and rot from water.

Aluminum

It might seem like the last material you want for your deck, but aluminum actually has a lot of unique benefits you can't get with other material options. Don't forget aluminum can duplicate the look of other materials, even your favorite variety of hardwood.

Pros:

  • Aluminum doesn't crack, rot, warp, or splinter like wood does. This allows aluminum to last a lot longer without needing to be replaced or repaired.
  • It can handle a lot of weather conditions and climate changes. It is a good option whether you live in a hot, cold, or mild climate.
  • Bugs, water damage, and fire damage aren't issues with aluminum. Sealing is not required for aluminum, and it is ideal for humid conditions.

Cons:

  • It can be more expensive than both wood and composite decking. It also requires professional installation, which further increases its overall cost.
  • There is limited availability. Aluminum decking doesn't have as many stylistic options as wood and some of the other decking materials.

Composite

You may also want to consider composite materials for your deck. Composite deking materials usually come from a variety of materials mixed together, from plastic sacks to wood waste. Take a look at some of these pros and cons.

Pros:

  • Composite decking never requires painting or sanding, making it a low-maintenance option.
  • You can find it in different colours and styles.

Cons:

  • Not as resistant to mould and mildew as aluminum decking. You still need to be careful to take care of composite decking to protect it against these conditions.
  • The overall look is less appealing than wood or aluminum decking. Even with colour options, it looks cheaper than other decking materials.

Speak to a contractor today to discuss these materials and get your deck built.

About Me

Commercial Construction Blog: Tips, Ideas, Strategies and More

If you are hiring a commercial contractor or construction crew, you need to look at the issue differently than you would if you were hiring a construction crew or contractor to work on your private residence. Hi, my name is Howard, and I have worked with construction crews on restaurants, apartment blocks and a range of other commercial projects. Now, I want to share what I have learned, and I hope that the info in this blog can help you with your project. Please, look at my posts, and if they inspire or help you, please share them with your friends. Thanks for reading!

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