Should You Get Wood Or Composite Decking?

Should You Get Wood Or Composite Decking?

As a result, you are safe from additional costs and worries that you would face annually due to necessary wooden deck maintenance. The downside of wood is that it can warp, rot, splinter, and fade over time. With composite, you don't have to worry about the same level of wear and tear. You may find that a composite deck lasts twice as long as a wooden one. You're no doubt familiar with the classic look of wood -- it's elegant and it goes well with a wide range of home exteriors. Composite, though designed to look like wood, isn't actual wood. From an aesthetic standpoint, that's a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your preferences.

Is Composite Decking Cheaper Than Wood Decking?

What's The Right Choice For Your Deck?

You can save significantly on costs if you build the deck yourself. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1.75 to $5.50 per linear foot for the decking materials needed and between $4 and $8 per square foot for posts and joists materials. UltraShield Outdoor Composite Deck Tiles by NewTechWood are an easy and quick fix for covering up unsightly or cracked balcony or concrete patio. These deck tiles snap together and allow rain water to run through.

• If your budget for installing a deck is limited, you may choose to stick with wood.
• But keep in mind that composite requires less maintenance over time so that, depending on the size of your deck, at some point, you could break even.
• The cost to install a composite deck is roughly double the cost of wood when you factor in the higher materials cost plus labor.
• The question is really how much you're willing or able to spend upfront.

Prices are between $13 and $22 per square foot, and this does not include substructure. Wow, there are actually quite a few alternatives to wood decking available. We also showcase some interesting decking options that you probably haven't considered. Here at Keystone Custom Decks, we encourage all of our customers to get capped composite decking for their decks and porches. Wooden decks long-term durability depends on water-proof sealant or stain being regularly applied, often every several years.

and unlike its wooden alternative, rarely needs more than a gentle hosing down once to twice a year. of 25 years on our Frontier range and 15 years on our Pioneer range.

Wood is a relatively common and economical choice at present. But people want outdoor spaces to be more beautiful and practical. As more and more builders and homeowners learn about this high-performance composite decking, it has become a new choice for many people. You can build a deck on land that is not level, which makes it a great option for sloping landscapes or uneven yards. Waterproofing materials might be required in some cases to avoid compromising your home’s foundation. Overall, a concrete patio will generally be cheaper to install compared to a deck. Of course, there’s no rule that prevents you from having both a deck and a patio.

The market for alternative decking materials has exploded over the past few years, and there are a multitude of different products available, at a wide range of price points. If you’d like to enjoy next summer from your brand new deck, now is the time to start planning and get it built.

So, if you ever plan to sell your house, choosing hardwood decking will allow you to get the most for your home's resale value. All you have to do with your composite decking is power-wash it every year. This keeps it clean and in good condition, no other work required.

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Consider materials and design before starting a deck this articlemy website project

Even if factoring in professional labor to do the work for you it would be a fraction of the absurd price. One quick point of clarification- most, but not all, decks use lumber for the substructure of a deck. Trex provides another option called "Elevations", a steel deck framing for your composite deck. I have a 20-year old+ pressure-treated wooden deck and all I've ever done to it is power wash it biannually and apply Thompson's WaterSeal Clear Wood Protector. Yes, there are some splinters in the decking, but there are no major cracks or splits. It's a wood and where I grew up we were told to expect splinters when working with outdoor wood of any type.

They are a perfect solution for a deck or roof top patio since they are made from high density recycled plastic composite material. They are made from NewTechWood proven UltraShield technology that covers the core material with multi-chromatic poly shell hence protecting it. Available in several finishes, the tiles are strong and resilient, resistant to weather and compliments any landscape. A lot of old concrete slabs begin to chip, crack, or just look worn, sometimes having an old ugly coat of paint. Adding wood tiles gives the appearance of a brand new deck, with a much easier application process. They range in price depending upon material, and can cost upwards of $18 per square foot.