How to Choose the Best Decking Materials?
By Dave KileWhen it comes to choosing the best decking material, I learned long ago that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. From classic hardwood to modern composite options, each material has attractive features and important considerations.
In this article, I’ll explain the four main types of decking materials: pressure-treated wood, hardwood, PVC, and composite decking. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the options available to make the best choice for your new deck project.
Types of Decking Materials
Pressure-Treated Wood
Throughout my deck-building experience, pressure-treated wood has always been a popular choice. Its affordability and easy installation appeal to homeowners looking to create a new outdoor space without breaking the bank.
Here’s a closer look at what makes pressure-treated wood decking a good option:
- Classic Affordability: With its low price point, pressure-treated wood is the most popular choice for value-conscious deck projects.
- DIY Favorite: Pressure-treated wood’s softer nature makes it easy to cut, drill, and install, a significant advantage if you’re tackling a DIY deck project yourself.
- Preserved for Performance: Wood emerges as a solution of preservatives under high pressure, forcing chemicals deep into the wood fibers to help protect against rot, decay, and insects like termites. Pressure-treated wood decking typically lasts 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance.
- Wear and Tear: Pressure-treated wood is typically made from softwoods like Southern Yellow Pine or Douglas Fir. These woods are more likely to show dents and scratches compared to other decking materials, however due to the slightly rougher surface of the wood, they are less noticeable.
- Maintenance Considerations: Regular staining or sealing, as often as annually, is necessary to prevent moisture from penetrating the wood and causing warping, twisting, and cracking. Applying a fresh finish can also enhance the color and appearance of your decking while providing UV protection from graying over time.
Hardwood
The appeal of hardwood decking is undeniable. I’ve found that investment in these beautiful decks, both in terms of upfront costs and ongoing maintenance, is rewarded with timeless elegance and enduring quality.
Here are some considerations when deciding if hardwood is the right choice:
- Natural Beauty: Hardwood decking features a unique, natural aesthetic and offers wonderful color and grain patterns variations. Here are a few species that are popular with my deck clients:
- Ipe:A reddish-brown color that ages to a silvery gray.
- Teak:Rich golden-brown color that ages to a warm, honeyed patina.
- Garapa:A sustainable alternative with a reddish-brown color that weathers to a warm gray.
- Cumaru:A reddish-brown color that ages to a warm, golden brown.
The natural greying or warm patina is a sought-after aesthetic for many deck owners. However, regular oiling can help high-density hardwoods retain their initial richness for a longer period if you prefer to delay the weathering process.
- Durability: Hardwoods are exceptionally durable and naturally resistant to decay, rot, and insects. With proper care, they can withstand outdoor exposure and heavy foot traffic for 20 to 50 years or more.
- Expense: Hardwood is generally the most expensive decking material per square foot. The price varies depending on the specific species, with exotic hardwoods being the most costly due to limited availability and high demand.
- Susceptibility to Scratches: Some hardwoods are more prone to surface scratches than others. This is a natural characteristic of wood and may add to the charm of your deck, or it may bother you.
- Maintenance Needs: Hardwood requires regular deck cleaning and periodic sealing with optional staining to maintain its beauty and performance,
- Occasional oiling is recommended for some wood types. The frequency of maintenance depends on the wood species, your climate, and your level of use.
PVC Decking
Like me, you may remember old-style PVC decking that looked like plastic baked in the sun. I’ve been pleased to witness the many advancements in high-quality PVC decking over the years and can attest that today’s high-quality PVC decking options are gorgeous and built to last.
Here’s what makes PVC decking stand out:
- Long-lasting: Made of polyvinyl chloride plastic, which is supremely resistant to moisture, rot, mold, mildew, and insects, PVC decking can last 50 years or longer.
- Style Options: While the range of styles is less vast than composite options, you can find a variety of PVC colors, including extremely realistic wood looks and grain patterns. In terms of appearance, quality PVC and composites are very comparable.
- Consistent Color: Some PVC decking features solid core construction with color running through the board. I’ve found solid core is beneficial for deck designs featuring cut ends to deliver a uniform look. Other PVC decking options are capped (more on this in the Composite Decking section).
- Flame Retardant: Most PVC decking is at least moderately fire-resistant. Some manufacturers, like TimberTech, offer PVC decking specifically rated to slow flame spread. I urge you to research this option if you’re in a fire zone.
Composite Decking
I understand the desire for an attractive and natural-looking deck that’s also easy to maintain. Composite decking is the top pick among homeowners, replicating the warmth and beauty of wood without the maintenance requirements and at a lower price point than PVC.
Here are some key features to help you decide if composite decking is the best fit:
- Rich Aesthetics: Composite decking boasts a wide variety of colors and styles, including options that mimic natural wood grain patterns with stunning realism.
- Low-Maintenance Upkeep: Regular cleaning with soap and water is usually all that’s needed.
- Durability: Most composite decking is capped, featuring a protective outer shell made of polymer material that enhances composite decking durability against scratching, staining, and fading. It’s also resistant to moisture, rot, mold, mildew, and insect infestation. Manufacturers like Trex offer warranties from 25 to 50 years.
- Core Caution: The core of capped composite (and PVC) decking doesn’t match the outer shell. My advice: While painting the ends is an option, if you’re installing capped decking, plan to cover the exposed ends with framing or fascia.
- Eco-Friendly Considerations: Many composite decking options are made from a majority of recycled materials.
Which Decking Material is Right for Your Project?
Understanding how different decking materials stack up are crucial for making an informed decision. Here’s a helpful comparison that highlights how each option performs across various factors. This information will help you to evaluate which decking is best suited for your new deck project:
Feature | Pressure-Treated Wood | Hardwood | Composite Decking | PVC Decking |
Cost | Most affordable | Most expensive | Mid- to high-range | High-range |
Durability | Moderately durable; more prone to warping, cracking, and dents; preservatives deter insects | Varies by species; denser hardwoods are highly scratch and dent-resistant; some species are naturally insect-resistant | Durable; resistant to moisture, rot, insects, warp, and splinters | Durable; resistant to moisture, rot, insects, warp, and splinters |
Maintenance | Requires regular staining or sealing | Requires regular cleaning and resealing; optional sanding | Regular cleaning with soap and water | Regular cleaning with soap and water |
Aesthetics | Natural wood, usually with a simple grain pattern | Rich, natural wood graining | Wide variety of colors and styles, can mimic natural wood | Variety of colors and styles, can mimic natural wood |
Installation | Most DIY-friendly | Complex; heavy boards; may require professional installation | Generally manageable for DIYers; hidden fastener systems might require extra attention | Easy; ultra-lightweight boards require specific substructure support |
Safety | Never burn scraps due to chemicals; wear gloves, dust mask, and eye protection | Mind splinters; wear a dust mask and gloves and eye protection; use proper lifting techniques | Wear a dust mask and eye protection | Cut in a well-ventilated area; wear eye protection |
Sustainability | Managed domestic sourcing; chemically treated; low to moderate carbon footprint | Variable, dependent on specific source; moderate to high carbon footprint | Often contains majority recycled materials; lowest carbon footprint |
Petroleum-based; may be made from recycled PVC; low carbon footprint |
Your dream deck starts with selecting the perfect decking material. Consider the timeless appeal of hardwoods, the low-maintenance benefits of PVC and composite decking, or the affordability of pressure-treated wood. Each option offers unique advantages to enhance your wonderful new deck and your enjoyment of it. So, take your time, research your options, and choose the material that best fits your vision for your wonderful new deck!