Adding an outdoor deck to your home is a long-term investment that not only improves the look of your yard, but also increases your home value. Whether you are looking to create a stunning focal point, build a new place to gather, or are in search of a way to spend more time outdoors, a deck is the answer. The question is – how do you know which deck materials will best suit your needs? Keep reading to learn about the three primary materials needed to build a deck, and how they compare to one another.

How to Pick the Right Deck Materials

To choose the best deck building materials for your needs, there are some important factors to consider:

Consider the Cost: How much do you want to spend up front? All deck materials vary in their upfront costs based on their composition.

Decide on Maintenance Level: The type of material directly correlates to the amount of maintenance your deck will require. Do you want something that needs very little work or are you prepared to clean and protect as well as repair and replace the deck whenever necessary?

Think About Durability: Will you be hosting regular dinner parties or are you looking for a small spot to lie out in the yard? Will the deck be near a swimming pool and will it endure heavy foot traffic?

Choose a Design: How do you want your deck to look? Are you after a more natural look? Do you want something in a unique color?

Once you have these answers, you can consider what type of deck materials will work for your intended use.

Tip!

It's worthwhile noting that all deck materials come as either planks (long individual strips) or tiles (pre-cut squares of multiple planks positioned in various designs).

Types of Deck Materials

1. Wood Decking

There are two types of woods available: hardwood and softwood. Hardwoods include eucalyptus (highly moisture-resistant), acacia (highly swell-resistant) teak (highly scratch-resistant). Softwood like bamboo (highly durable) costs less upfront and is extremely environmentally friendly thanks to how speedily it grows and can be harvested.

Cost: Wood decking usually has a lower upfront cost, though this is often offset by maintenance and repair costs at a later stage.

Maintenance: Wood requires more maintenance than any of the other deck materials as you will have to re-seal it every one to three years, and sand and restain it every two to five years.

Durability: While wooden decks are strong, they typically require repairs and replacement over time as the elements begin to weather the material. Wooden decks are best for personal use (occasionally spending time outside relaxing) without much foot traffic or the weight of tables and chairs to potentially dent and damage the boards.

Design: If you want a more traditional and natural-looking deck, wood is the best option for you.

2. Composite Decking

Composite decking is made of a blend of wood fibers and recycled plastic (typically a 50/50 mix). The blended fibers help to keep this material cool to the touch, making it ideal for decks with little-to-no shade.

Price: Composite deck materials cost similar to traditional wood but have more durability, making them a fantastic long-term investment.

Maintenance: Fortunately composite decking needs nearly no maintenance apart from an annual cleaning with a specially formulated cleaner to prevent mildew growth.

Durability: When installed correctly, composite decking will last longer than any other deck materials, and thanks to its extremely long lifespan, it rarely needs to be replaced. The unique composition of composite makes it fade- and stain-resistant with a higher anti-slip rating. It is an ideal deck material for those who intend to host frequent gatherings with heavy foot traffic and also place furniture on the deck.

Design: Although it is manufactured, composite will feature a visible wood grain in a range of colors.

3. Plastic/PVC Decking

Plastic decking is usually made from a blend of polymers (synthetic materials) that form a protective layer around the core. This type of deck material contains no wood at all.

Price: Plastic decking has a greater upfront price because it must be installed by a professional with specific experience (and also often requires more extra structural components).

Maintenance: If you are looking for long-term value with minimal input, plastic decking is virtually maintenance-free, requiring only the occasional sweep or rinse to get rid of dirt and debris.

Durability:The lightweight boards do not experience any mold or mildew damage, making them particularly ideal for water-prone areas such as the swimming pool or hot tub. Plastic decking does well in wet weather and is also heat-resistant, so you won't burn your bare feet on those super hot days. Additionally, due to the lack of wood composition, it is more fire-resistant than any other deck materials available.

Design: Plastic decking comes in a variety of colors and is designed to look just like real wood.

Each of these deck materials has its own long-term costs, maintenance requirements, and overall investment value. You simply need to select the one that suits your lifestyle best so you can enjoy your deck for a long time to come.

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