Cheap Decking Which Types of Decking Are Right For Your Home?

Adding a deck to your home is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Decks are a great place to relax and entertain family and friends. They can also add value to your property.

There are a variety of materials available for decking. Some are more environmentally friendly than others. Some are even more affordable!

Treated pine

Pine decking is an affordable option that’s also sustainable. You’ll usually see it treated with a water-based preservative called Alkaline Copper Quaternary or (ACQ), or the more common Copper Boron Azole Type A or CBA-A. This chemical penetrates the wood to limit rot and insect infestation. For the best results, use treated pine that’s kiln-dried both before and after treatment. It should be designated for above-ground use, and special coated fasteners are required to avoid corroding.

However, treated pine is not as durable as other decking materials like composite and hardwood. It’s also less resistant to dents and scratches, so it might need replacing sooner than other materials.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance deck, you might consider Trex. It costs about the same as treated pine, but it lasts longer and comes with a 25-year warranty. Ask your builders to give you quotes for both options, and compare the cost of annual and long-term maintenance to decide which is best for your needs.

Hardwood timber

Hardwoods are more expensive than softwoods but they offer a longer life and natural resistance to moisture. They also require less maintenance, but they do need to be re-sanded and re-sealed frequently to keep them looking their best.

Unlike composite boards, hardwood decks won’t sag between the joists after several years of use. They’re also more durable and scratch-resistant, making them an excellent choice for families with children and pets. They’re naturally resistant to fungi, and they don’t attract termites like composites do.

When selecting a hardwood for your deck, it’s important to look for chain of custody certification from FSC (r) or PFEC. These organizations work to ensure responsible harvesting and reforestation. They also help local communities gain value from their forests and protect water quality. The wood’s density is what makes it so durable, but it can rot if exposed to prolonged periods of dampness. It’s also more difficult to stain or cut due to its stiff grain.

Composite decking

Composites offer a number of advantages over traditional wood decking. They’re typically less costly and require much less maintenance than natural wood. They also have a wider range of color options and are more resistant to mold, rot, and fading. Some composites are even made from recycled materials.

Composite decking is installed using hidden fasteners, which allow for a clean, seamless look. These fasteners are inserted into a groove in the edge of each board, allowing for a smooth surface that doesn’t require nails or screws. They also reduce installation time by a fraction of what bamboo takes and eliminate the need for pre-drilling.

All-plastic decking, on the other hand, has a limited color palette and is not very environmentally friendly. It also releases toxic hydrogen chloride gas when it burns. Composites, on the other hand, are a safer choice, and come with a 25-year warranty. The composites made by Trex are compression-molded, ensuring they’re not prone to rotting or warping.

Azek

Azek decking is made from a cellular PVC material, making it more resistant to damage than other types of composite decking. Its plastic core also prevents it from absorbing moisture, which is one of the biggest causes of decking problems. It is also insect-resistant and will not chip or crack like a traditional wood deck.

While Azek decking is more expensive than Trex, it’s worth the investment for homeowners who want a long-lasting outdoor living space. It’s easy to clean and has a low maintenance cost. It also comes with a heat and color fade warranty, as well as mold growth resistance.

However, some Azek models perform poorly in stain tests. This is mostly true of older models that have a thin shell coating or no shell at all, and it can be hard to remove stains once they’ve set in. This is especially a problem if you drop something greasy on the deck. The good news is that newer Azek products look more natural and are improving their appearance all the time.

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