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Creating the ideal deck involves a key decision – choosing the right decking material. At UglyDeck, your premier deck material suppliers, we offer an array of modern and contemporary composite materials, along with wood-like options, designed to withstand the challenges of rain, snow, and UV exposure, ensuring longevity that spans decades, if not a lifetime. Below, we explore the best materials for building a deck in the Twin Cities, Chicago, or other areas, considering maintenance, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
Composite Decking Material: A Durable Delight
Composite wood decking stands out as one of the premier options for decking materials, if not the best, for several important reasons. While the initial cost may be somewhat higher, the long-term benefits are significant. As opposed to specialty or pressure-treated woods, composite decking material does not weather, split, or sustain insect damage. It provides a remarkable long-term value, combining low maintenance requirements with durability.
Composite decking technology has advanced considerably over the years, no longer retaining its mostly plastic-like appearance. Today’s composite materials consist of recycled plastic, wood chips, bamboo, and other raw materials, that produce a highly effective material combination. Often comprising plastic (polypropylene or polyethylene) and wood fiber, composite decking offers considerable strength, durability, and resistance to peeling, fading, splintering, and warping. With just minimal maintenance – typically a few washes per year, high-quality composite decking material can last anywhere from 2 to 5 decades.
Advantages of Composite Decking: Reduced Maintenance and Modern Aesthetics
Investing in composite decking provides considerable benefits, including minimal maintenance costs over the long term. While the initial installation cost may be higher than wood, these costs are offset with no need to repaint or re-stain in the future. Composite decking is highly effective at maintaining its aesthetic appeal over time, preventing the effects of wear and tear from outside elements.
Modern composite boards today mimic the feel and appearance of natural wood grain more than in the past. Today’s composite boards include advanced textures that provide a genuine wood fuel along with an expanded palette of color options. The final product offers a modern look good replicates the benefits of wood without the associated maintenance requirements.
Composite decking material effectively resists weather and decay, unlike traditional untreated wood planks. Its use of recycled plastic integrated with wood components, creates a durable material that stands the test of time.
PVC Decking: Optimal Durability and Style Variety
PVC decking boards consisting of polymers such as polyvinyl chloride and/or polypropylene provides durability and long-term value. This type of decking features three- or four-sided capping. The best quality capped polymer (PVC) doesn’t include wood in its core or cap. As a virtually maintenance-free material, it is highly durable and often available in various colors and sizes.
Highly-suited for areas near water, PVC as a decking material is resistant to water penetration, friendly for the barefoot, and resistant to heat, making it an ideal option for summertime enjoyment. With various colors and styles to choose from, PVC decking combines aesthetic versatility with durability.
Pressure-Treated Wood Decking: Budget-Friendly with Maintenance Needs
For those seeking an economically friendly option, pressure-treated wood decking is a popular choice. Treated with chemicals for enhanced durability, it is easy to locate, cut, and work with. However, the affordability of this option comes with the need to perform routine maintenance.
While pressure-treated wood provides natural durability, it requires regular maintenance, including power washing, sanding, and re-staining. Staining can help improve its visual appeal, lengthening its service life. Despite the upkeep requirements, pressure-treated wood remains a cost-effective deck construction option for many homeowners.
Hardwood Decking: The Durable and Distinctive Choice
Exotic hardwoods are among the best decking materials because of their natural hardness and resistance to decay and infection. These hardwoods consist of natural tannins, providing aesthetic appeal and durability. Each variety of hardwood offers a distinctive appearance.
With their dense consistency, hardwoods last longer than softwoods and tend to age in a graceful manner, displaying their beauty over time. Although hardwoods may require oiling from time to time, they are a prime choice for those looking for a distinctive appearance and service longevity in a decking material.
Choosing the Best Decking Material
Selecting the optimal decking material involves considering the appearance you want to achieve with your deck, its intended use, and how much time you have available for maintenance throughout the year. Maintenance and pricing factors are often top considerations. Innovative technologies in the realm of composite decking material offers a solution that effectively withstands the elements in engineered decking materials provide solutions. These materials are designed to withstand the elements, requiring minimal maintenance over time.
While wood and other types of materials for decks are useful, the ones that stand out for aesthetics, durability, and long-term service life are composite, PVC, and pressure-treated wood. The type of material you choose for your deck will depend on your preferences, commitment to maintenance, and intended use.
Get the Best Decking Material for Your Outdoor Deck
To learn more about the decking material options we offer at UglyDeck for customers in Chicago, the Twin Cities, and beyond, or to request a quote, call us today at 331.300.3071 or leave us a message through our contact form.
