Wood Vs. Low-maintenance Decking Materials - Tips For Choosing The Best Option

(Wednesday, October 29, 2003) - Ten years ago, the average American homeowner would have never considered building a deck out of anything other than wood. Today, alternative decking materials are taking a larger share of the market. The growing trend that started on the coast has now made its way to the heart of the country.

"Every year, more of our customers choose low-maintenance decking materials, which are made from recycled wood and plastic," says Ed Repak, Director of Construction & Drafting with Archadeck, the nation's largest deck builder. "At the same time, plenty of customers still prefer traditional wood, for a variety of reasons.

"When choosing a decking material, says Repak, homeowners should consider four key factors.

Cost - A deck built with low-maintenance decking materials typically costs 30 to 50 percent more than treated wood. Repak explains, "Much of this cost depends on whether the deck is 100 percent low-maintenance materials, or a combination of low-maintenance with wood railing. However, due to the fact that you never have to seal or stain a low-maintenance deck, you usually recoup the cost within about five years."

Maintenance - Some homeowners think nothing of power washing, waterproofing, sealing, staining, painting and replacing boards on their deck. "For them, wood offers the best value," says Repak. "On the other hand, if you're the type who puts off home improvement projects for months or years, you'll have to pay someone else to maintain your wood deck every couple of years, or you'll be replacing the wood prematurely when it deteriorates from lack of care. In that case, low-maintenance materials may offer a better value."

Aesthetics - Low-maintenance decking materials have come a long way since the early days. Today's composites are available in a range of colors to complement the siding on almost any home, and many styles are easy to mistake for 100% wood. For some purists, however, only the "real thing" will do. As a compromise, says Repak, "many of our customers use low-maintenance materials for the deck but stick with real wood for the railings."

Installation - While low-maintenance decking materials cut, drill and install like real wood, most manufacturers recommend that contractors receive training before building decks with low-maintenance materials. "Some styles will expand more than others under certain weather conditions, so it's important to know how tightly the boards should be laid," explains Repak. Furthermore, he says, "An expert can explain the advantages and disadvantages of the huge number of options that are currently on the market."

About Archadeck
Founded in 1980 in Richmond, Va., Archadeck is ranked as the top deck and porch builder in the United States by Qualified Remodeler magazine (Sept. 2003), and has designed and built more than 50,000 projects across North America, including decks, screened porches, sunrooms, gazebos, pergolas, arbors, and many other outdoor structures. Archadeck offers the strongest warranty in the decking industry.

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