What's Best for My Deck Construction?
Composite VS Treated Wood
When it comes to outdoor living spaces, there’s no denying the appeal of great deck designs. However, there’s a choice to be made about which material is right for the job. The two most popular materials are pressure treated wood and composite decking materials.
So, what exactly are these two materials? To start, pressure treated wood undergoes a chemical process that helps the wood withstand the varying elements of weather. It also helps to ward off insects, microorganisms, and fungal decay. During the pressure treating process, wood is also saturated with a water-soluble chemical. Composite decking material, however, typically consists of various types of plastic combined with wood particles. Because it’s made up of a considerable amount of plastic, composite decking will not succumb to rot or insect damage.
Still, which of these two is right for you? To help you better evaluate which material will best fit your new deck, we are going to compare the two materials in two major categories: Upkeep and Cost
Composite Decks
King’s Fencing and Decking offers the low maintenance, durable option of composite materials for your deck. We can build with a number of products, but primarily use products from Timbertec and Azek. These products come with manufacturer limited lifetime warranties to protect your investment, ranging from 25 to 50 years, as well as fade and stain warranties. They also require significantly less upkeep than standard wood decks, so you can spend more time enjoying your deck than worrying about maintenance.
UPKEEP – Although very durable, composite decking still requires some maintenance as it’s still susceptible to the outdoor elements. For composite material decks, no refinishing is required, but the materials can become hosts for mold if they are not cleaned at least every three or four years.
COST – When compared to pressure treated wood, the cost to construct a composite deck can be double the price; however, it’s the durability of this material that makes it worth every penny for homeowners. A deck made of composite material can last up to 50 years. Finishing touches like fascia boards, railings, balusters, treads, posts, etc can be made in the same color & material, creating a cohesive design.
Wood Decks
Wood is a timeless choice for your deck. While pressure treated pine is the most common choice for wood decks, we also offer cedar, ipe, garapa, camaru, and tigerwood. Wood decks require regular maintenance as well as stains and sealants to preserve them. The frequency of the upkeep will depend on how much sun and shade your deck receives throughout the day. An upside to choosing traditional wood is that the sealants and stains come in a variety of styles and colors, so you can keep the style fresh for years to come.
UPKEEP – Wood deck designs require more upkeep than composite decks and will need to be sealed and stained. We recommend sealing and staining the wood every year—just half the maintenance of a natural wood deck.
COST – A deck constructed with pressure-treated wood, although a popular and cost-effective option, unfortunately falls short in terms of longevity. In fact, it may only provide you with a lifespan of approximately 10-15 years, if that, and to compound matters, it comes without any warranty. We believe in offering our customers peace of mind and a lasting investment, which is why at King’s Fencing, we strive to construct a deck that meets your needs and matches your lifestyle.