Decking Materials: Composite, Wood, or Plastic?

The Main Types Of Decking Material To Consider This style of deck tends to be quite large and requires a larger budget than other deck styles. If your property has hills or isn’t perfectly level, then you have the perfect setup for a multi-tier deck. You’ll build one level that’s attached to your house and level with your exterior doors. Natural wood is a great choice because it’s natural, durable, and feels great. Its downside is that it requires the most amount of maintenance. Most detached decks have stairs or pathways leading up to them, but not always. As we discussed in the previous section, water damage can be a major threat to your deck’s longevity. But protecting your deck involves more than just preventing water damage – you also need to enhance its durability with coatings and sealants. Another important aspect of protecting your deck from water damage is mold prevention.

Sustainable Decking: Eco-Friendly Materials And Practices

A platform deck is a simple design that involves building a single level structure directly off the house at ground level. This approach offers simplicity in both construction and maintenance. Platform decks are also generally less expensive than multi-level designs since they require fewer materials and labor hours. However, if you have uneven terrain or want to incorporate built-in features such as benches or planters, this may not be the best choice for you.

Wood Decking Boards

UV exposure can cause fading in both wood and composite decking. Choose materials with UV resistance or apply UV-protective sealers. Regular maintenance and cleaning can also help maintain the deck’s appearance. While more expensive initially, composite decking can be cost-effective in the long run due to its durability and minimal upkeep requirements. Whether it’s used to host the social event of the season, to have a family meal, or just to relax and watch the sunrise or sunset, a deck is a valuable part of many houses. Looking for the most environmentally friendly way to add a gorgeous deck to your home?

#4 Vinyl Decking

Compare the pros and cons of installing a solid concrete deck footing using a cardboard tube or engineered forms. The clear heart grade is more durable than the other redwood grades because of its high-resistance to decay. Redwood is a soft wood and weathers to a yellowish-red very quickly.

Ipe is the most expensive wood option and is highly resistant to rotting, bugs, wear, splintering, and fire.Most detached decks have stairs or pathways leading up to them, but not always.Rooftop decks aren’t only for city apartments and hotels anymore.Often built at the front of a home, an entryway deck extends your outdoor living space toward the street.

With this trend in outdoor living increasing, many landscape architecture firms are specialized in the design, construction and maintenance of these spaces. Adjustable hybrid pedestal system allow for a self leveling, single model for all height applications, screw adjustable, and PVC pipe adjustable for elevated roof decks. Deck inspections often reveal failures to comply with modern deck construction standards. Such compliance failures are common with older decks but can also occur with recently built decks. As a result, building codes have mandated stricter standards for building decks in recent years, and many building departments https://limewire.com/d/59wJC#jJAYrDfhrO are enforcing these stricter standards. Pressure-treated lumber is one of the most common types of wood decking. Proper drainage solutions will also need to be implemented to prevent water damage and erosion. First, you’ll want to assess the slope of your yard and determine if any retaining walls or foundation options are necessary for stability. Not only do they provide an attractive visual addition to your home, but they also offer environmental benefits such as rainwater retention and insulation. Regularly inspecting for damage is a crucial aspect of maintaining any decking surface. Second, seal any cracks in the wood with caulk or putty to prevent water from seeping in and causing further damage.