Building a deck is exciting. Creating a welcoming entryway to your home invites guests and draws attention from passersby. A beautiful front deck can highlight your style and enhance the front of your home. Updating or building a new back deck can create a seamless transition from your home to your backyard or a beautiful sitting area. Whether you’re building a new one or resurfacing your current one, you’ll have to decide what types of boards you want to create for your new project. Two of the most popular deck board choices are composite or pressure-treated. Keep reading to learn about these two types and which is the right choice for you.
What Is a Composite Deck?
Composite decks have a plastic and wood construction, but the wood particles could be from wood fiber, sawdust, or wood chips. Typically, the plastic particles are either recycled or virgin plastic materials. Due to the use of recovered materials, composite wood is generally more environmentally friendly than other options.
The two most common composite decking are:
- Uncapped: This decking type is known as the first generation. This type of wood does not have a cap layer to protect its core. The lack of capping makes this wood susceptible to moisture, fungus, UV rays, weather conditions, bacteria, and mold.
- Capped: This type of decking has a protective cap that can prevent the wood from experiencing impacts from the natural environment. This material is typically more expensive than uncapped decking, but it has additional benefits that can save you money over time.
If you’re looking for long-lasting color and protection, capped composite decks are the way to go. Although you can expect to see a high upfront cost, you can save money in the long run by saving on maintenance and repair costs.
What Is a Pressure-Treated Deck?
Pressure-treated wood has a variety of preservative chemicals to prevent insects from infesting the boards and help resist rotting. These boards can provide a long-lasting beautiful look with the proper maintenance and care.
The treatment process for these boards involves loading lumber into an airtight chamber. The treatment process forces chemicals into the cellular structure of the wood. After the wood is in the chamber, a vacuum will pull the air out of the lumber. Then, the wood goes on top of a strip pad to capture chemicals that drip from the wood. Once the excess drips out, typically within a few days or a few weeks, the lumber can be sold.
There are several types of softwood that generally become pressure-treated wood. Southern Yellow Pine, Hem-fir, Douglas Fir, and Red and Ponderosa Pine are excellent for constructing these pieces.
Comparing the Two Types of Decks
Composite and pressure-treated decks can both be beautiful additions to your home. However, different types of decks may better suit your home and lifestyle than others. Here, you can find a breakdown of these two deck types to determine which is the best option for you:
- Installation: Both board types can take time to fasten. You’ll also need to spend time straightening each pressure-treated piece, but you can use some tools to straighten boards faster. You won’t need to straighten composite boards, saving some time during installation.
- Cost: Pressure-treated wood is an excellent option for those looking for a DIY solution that won’t break the bank. However, although the boards can cost between about $1.25 and $6.00 per linear foot, you will also have to account for the fastener costs. Composite wood tends to be slightly more expensive than pressure-treated pieces. However, you’ll likely need a professional installation.
- Maintenance: Pressure-treated decks require more extensive care to maintain their life span while looking their best. This means you’ll need to stain, wash, repair and sand your deck every so often. However, composite decks are better able to endure the weather and repel insects. They also won’t need staining or painting over the years. Simply sweeping and scrubbing your deck every now and then will be enough to keep it in beautiful shape.
Ultimately, deciding the best decking material will depend on your budget, goals, and vision. If you’re looking for a summer project you can complete in your free time that will last for years, pressure-treated pieces may be the way to go. However, if you want a long-lasting deck with beautiful colors and protection, you may want to consider capped composite pieces.
Find the Right Deck-Building Company
Choosing the right decking material is important, but reliable installation will ensure you can confidentially enjoy your beautiful deck as soon as possible.
At Keystone Remodeling & Construction LLC, you can find a reliable tea ready to bring your vision to life. Whatever your budget, vision, or goals, we can help create the space you’ve been dreaming of.
Contact us for superior service and quality craftsmanship you’ll love. We’d love to hear from you.
