On Deck: Variety of Materials Give You Freedom of Choice

April 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Forget “deck the halls” – the holidays are long over. Deck your grounds. The current variety of decking materials gives you the widest freedom of choice ever. But how do you know which is right for your project? Here’s what the experts at Shells Only Complete Home Improvements have to say:

Pressure-Treated Lumber: The All-Around, Cost-Effective Answer.

Despite all the competition, this classic green-tinted wood is still the No. 1 decking material sold today. According to Arch Treatment Technologies, a leading producer of wood preservatives, approximately 75 percent of all new decks are finished with pressure-treated (PT) lumber.

It’s affordable, readily available, and easy to cut and fasten with nails and screws. Most PT decking is milled from Southern Yellow Pine then chemically treated to resist rot, fungus and wood-boring insects. The downside of PT lumber is that it’s not very dimensionally stable, so it has a tendency to crack, split and warp. Routine maintenance is necessary.

Redwood & Cedar are Naturally Superior.

For many purists, the only choices for decking are redwood or red cedar. Both of these western softwoods are prized for their rich color and natural beauty. Because they aren’t pumped full of chemicals or preservatives, redwood and cedar are preferred by many families with pets and young children.

Both redwood and cedar contain tannins and oils that make them naturally resistant to rot, decay and voracious insects. The level of weather- and bug-resistance is directly related to the amount of heartwood in the boards. Heartwood grows closer to the center of the tree, and is relatively hard and very resistant to decay.

Tropical Hardwoods are the Exotic Import.

Massaranduba, cumaru, red tauari, tigerwood, ipe, and Philippine mahogany are just some of the tropical hardwoods available for decking. These exotic, rich-grained woods are extremely hard, very durable and naturally resistant to rot and insects. However, because these woods are so dense, they’re heavy and difficult to cut and drill. In fact, it’s virtually impossible to drive a nail or screw without first boring a pilot hole, which is why tropical decking is typically installed with some sort of hidden fastener that clips or screws into the edge of the boards.

Most tropical hardwoods are so dense they don’t accept stains very well. If you’re determined to apply a stain, be sure it’s an oil-based penetrating stain specifically formulated for hardwood decking. If you choose not to stain the deck, you should at least apply a UV-blocking clear wood preservative every three to four years.

Composites are the New Guy on the Block.

Composite decking and its cousin, plastic lumber, represent the fastest-growing decking materials sold today. Most products are made from polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, and come in a wide range of colors. Composites, like Trex, TimberTech, CorrectDeck, DuraLife and Veranda are composed primarily of wood fibers and recycled plastic. The result is an extremely weather- and stain-resistant board that won’t splinter, warp, rot or split.

Plastic lumber, like Azek Deck, is made from 100 percent plastic (recycled and/or virgin); it contains no wood fibers. It, too, is highly resistant to staining and decay, and free of knots, cracks and splinters. Both composites and plastic lumber come in sizes similar to wood decking. Prices vary because there are so many different companies, but composites are typically less expensive than plastic lumber. Most composite decking and plastic lumber manufacturers also offer a line of handrails, balusters, fascias and other decorative trim. Not everyone likes the idea of installing manmade decking, but they’re extremely low-maintenance and never need to be sanded, refinished or stained.

Do our readers have experience with or tips on using the above materials? What’s your say?

Shells Only Complete Home Improvements
680 Sunrise Highway
West Babylon, NY 11704

Suffolk: (631) 422-9190
Nassau: (516) 799-5900

http://www.ShellsOnly.com

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Shells Only Complete Home Improvements is a full service construction company located on Long Island, New York. We can build you a home from the ground up then fill it with everything you need in order to live in it comfortably.