With the wide range of choices available today it can be very difficult for a homeowner to decide on the best decking material. It is a matter to carefully review, considering each of the options and benefits. With proper selection the decking you choose will be with you for a long time, meeting the needs of your situation, but it takes careful selection and quality installation.

Decking Materials

There are many different kinds of deck material, and they each suit specific situations better than others. Choosing well can save you a good deal of money and even more headache down the road.

Let’s start by looking at the most common decking, pressure treated wood. The popularity and familiarity of the wood comes from its time on the market, as well as its cheap price. Having been around for so long the methods of working with it are relatively familiar to everyone.

But even it has its drawbacks, mostly stemming from the poisons forced into the wood to make it rot and insect resistant. Among these is arsenic, so it becomes obvious that the wood must be handled carefully by anyone working with it. Wearing gloves and a mask would be the minimum protection that one should consider, and eye protection is always important. Once installed, wood needs more maintenance than many of the other materials, or it will begin to show age quickly, you should be prepared to treat it with some sort of sealant at least once a season.

Lately, composite decking has come onto the scene. A more expensive option than the wood that it replaces, but it still uses many of the same techniques as it. Composite decking is, in fact, partially made of wood, as it uses sawdust mixed with a binder and then is formed into the shapes of the planks and trim. In some cases, it can actually be easier to work with as the molded shapes don’t need mitering at the joints.

Vinyl and metal decking both only represent a very small percentage of the decking market. In certain situations, they are the only things that will work, but in general usage they can have significant drawbacks. For instance, vinyl can expand making it difficult to work with and maintain. Metal is very strong and predictable, but the cost is prohibitive for most consumers.

These are some of decking and it is up to you to look at which can work best in your situation.