Decking Materials for Your Next Deck Project
Decking materials are available in a variety of natural and man-made choices. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore the most common decking material choices so you can decide which one is best for your next deck project.
Treated Wood
- Lowest initial cost
- Fairly long lasting
- Readily available
- Must wait 6 months for moisture to escape before applying paint or stain
- Easy to fasten with nails or screws
- Most prone to warpage
- Least attractive material, so a solid finish is recommended
- Consider higher grade kiln-dried boards for better appearance
Cedar
- Moderate cost
- Moderately long lasting
- Readily available
- Light weight so easy to work with
- Naturally bug resistant and repellant
- Soft and will be damaged by narrow shoe heels
- Stain finish is easily applied
- Bleaching oil gets it to a natural appearance right away, while providing uv protection
- Good, natural appearance is red (western) or white (eastern).
Plastic
- Moderately low cost
- Long lasting
- Readily available
- Comes in fairly unlimited lengths
- Slippery when wet
- No rotting or support of insects
- Becomes brittle over time due to uv rays
- Supports mildew growth
- Never needs finishing
- Shiny unnatural appearance usually imprinted with a wood grain finish
Composite
- Moderately high initial cost but lower cost of maintenance
- Long lasting
- Readily available
- Made of recycled plastic and 30% wood fibers
- Better traction when wet
- Good choice for stairs and decks pool and lake areas
- Supports mildew growth
- Available pre-finished in a solid color with a limited palette
Ipe (pronounced E PAY)
- High initial cost- a premium product
- Long lasting
- Available online and at selected stores
- Attached using biscuits for blind attachment
- Requires predrilling because it is so hard
- Tends not to warp but can develop micro splinters
- 1″ thick x 4″-6” wide material
- Ages to a natural, silvery finish similar to teak
- Beautiful with an oiled finish
When you have chosen the decking material, the deck should be designed so that it has its own foundation system and utilizes the decking materials in the most attractive, economical way. Be sure to follow the decking manufacturer’s instructions for cutting, fastening and finishing the deck.
If you choose a wood product, orientation is important. The material grain should be oriented so it looks like a bowl rather than a crown. This is because wood decking shrinks and warps in the opposite direction and you don’t want it to hold water.
Let us know what decking material you decide on and send us a photo of your finished project.
