What is the best material for outdoor decks?

An outdoor decks board is often a private retreat shaded by vegetation or entertaining space with a built-in barbecue. Outdoor decking gives a beautiful look to your deck and patio.

Just like outdoor furniture. The type of decking material used to make your outdoor deck can have a big impact on the overall longevity and durability of your deck. That’s why it’s important to choose the right decking material from the start.

Different types of decking materials have different resistance to the environment. Common issues include moisture rot, wind and sun, insect bite resistance, and more importantly, price. Once you understand these issues, you can choose the right decking material for your situation.

Each choice has unique artistic appeal and maintenance requirements. The choice of decking depends on personal preference as well as practical needs. In addition to the appearance of the deck, we should also look at other important issues.

In the long run, the durability and cost of the decking materials are more important. We should look for the most durable wood within a reasonable budget. If you are considering some wood choices for your outdoor deck. Please read the following carefully so that you can build the right outdoor decks for yourself.

Concrete

Concrete is also a commonly used decking material. It is versatile, practical, and chic. It has the advantage of being easy to clean. The disadvantage is that it is more troublesome to build a deck with it and you need to hire a professional. Secondly, the shape is rather single and lacks natural beauty. Another is that it can also be very hot in the sun, not very conducive to outdoor activities in summer.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood is one of the most popular choices for decks because of its durability and moisture resistance. Although cedar is a softwood, it contains tannins and natural oils. As a result, it is more resistant to rot and insect damage than most other woods. One of the benefits of cedar is that its moisture content changes depending on the environment it is in. Cedar does not warp or crack as easily as other woods.

When it comes to appearance, cedarwood has beautiful wood grain. With proper maintenance, the average life span of cedar is about 15-20 years. It needs to be pressure washed once a year, and deburred every two years. And stained every two to four years, using a sunscreen stain to keep the color sharp. Cedarwood is most commonly used in the Pacific Northwest or other humid regions.

Mahogany

Redwood is a softwood and is another very good natural choice commonly used for outdoor deck construction. Redwood is similar to cedar in terms of durability and sturdiness. Similar to cedarwood, redwood is naturally resistant to moisture, rot, and insects. The resistance comes from natural oils and tannins, which also give redwood its natural beauty. The care of a redwood deck is similar to cedar, as it should be pressure washed once a year. If you wish to retain the natural wood look of redwood, it must be stained every few years.

Pressure Treated Wood

Pressure-treated lumber is usually the most economical choice for outdoor decks. There are several different types of lumber commonly used for deck pressure treatment. But the two most popular are Southern Yellow Pine and Douglas Fir. You may be wondering, how exactly does pressure-treated lumber work? Essentially, a manufacturer puts a large amount of wood into a large room and seals it. Then forces water-based chemicals into the wood under pressure.

The reason pressure-treated wood is so popular is because of its price and ubiquity. Pressure-treated lumber doesn’t look as good as other options and is susceptible to moisture and mold. It is not as rigid and tends to warp and crack when exposed inside the natural environment. Of course, it’s cheaper.

Of course, pressure-treated lumber maintenance is still required.  It needs to be pressure washed once a year. As well as reapplied with a coat of varnish or clear preservative every 2-4 years. Never use untreated pine boards, as they are especially prone to breakage.

Tropical Hardwoods

The most common tropical hardwoods are mahogany and ipe. These are used for outdoor decks and are by far the most expensive decking materials. Mahogany and ipe are well suited for decking because they are extremely resistant to moisture, insects, and warping. Tropical hardwoods are difficult to find at your local lumber yard and the cost of shipping them will further increase the price of your deck. If you have the budget and the resources to purchase a tropical hardwood deck. You will get a beautiful deck that will last for decades.

Composite Decking material

Composite decking is gaining more and more acceptance in outdoor deck applications. There are several reasons why people are interested in composite decking.

Composite decking is usually made from a mix of recycled plastic and wood fiber. It is essentially an environmentally friendly material. Because it is made by hand, it is available in a variety of colors and finishes. If these colors and finishes do not match your outdoor design. You can customize them with specialized colors and finishes at the manufacturer.

Another benefit of composite wood, it has low maintenance. It is a decking material that does not require regular staining and cleaning. Saving you a lot of time and labor costs, giving you more time to enjoy your outdoor life.

Composite decking is very easy to install, and usually, the manufacturer will give you special fasteners and a keel for fixing. Even if you don’t have any installation experience, you can install your own outdoor deck by following the instructions.

Some disadvantages of composite wood, obviously it does not have the look or feel of solid natural wood. If you ignore this disadvantage, you will find that it is easy to maintain. And an inexpensive option compared to other outdoor decks materials.

PVC Decorative Decking

Solid PVC decking has been in use for many years and has changed a lot in terms of structure and aesthetics. It is lighter than wood materials, so it is easier to transport and transfer. PVC decking material is also made using a mix of recycled materials and wood fibers. It also has some of the advantages of composite decking materials. Such as requiring little maintenance and being easy to install. The disadvantage is that PVC material is a little less adaptable to the environment. And complex outdoor environments can easily damage it, so it is more suitable for indoor decoration.

Combined with the above description. We recommend wood plastic composite decking material more as your outdoor deck choice. Because it can protect the environment and improve the utilization of forest resources while providing services for you.