A deck is one of the best parts of owning your own home, especially in somewhere as beautiful as California. The weather is so lovely for such a long stretch of time that a deck is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. Furthermore, if you want to entertain guests or family members, a deck is a great way to expand your outdoor space. Many people prefer decks to patios because you can elevate your deck off the ground and easily screen it off away from bugs and debris. The biggest question you have is, wooden or composite?
Wood and recycled plastic composite both have benefits and drawbacks that you should be aware of when choosing the material most right for your deck.
Analysis of Wood
Obviously, different kinds of wood have different properties, but they all have a few things in common. There are certain pests, such as termites, who feast on wood so you have to be aware of that danger to the durability of your deck. Furthermore, wood is a biodegradable substance; it tends to break down in the presence of sunlight, water, and heat. Some woods, such as redwood, create lovely decks in Concord and elsewhere because they are naturally pest- and rot-resistant. However, resistance to rot and pests does not translate to complete immunity; therefore, it is absolutely imperative that you properly seal your deck with a series of high-quality finishes and sealants.
Finish and sealer preserve the color of your deck as well as repelling water, which hinders the deck from degrading. With proper maintenance, a wooden deck will last for a very long time.
It’s also worth noting that certain woods can be very heavy; if you’re trying to build the deck yourself or if you have some kind of weight requirements, you should think about how heavy your materials are, which makes them difficult to handle.
Analysis of Composite
Composite decks are made of recycled plastic that has been processed and shaped into boards meant to resemble lumber. Composite has two distinct advantages: it doesn’t rot, and it doesn’t contribute to landfills. In fact, composite decks use materials that actually reduce the amount of trash that goes to landfills. Composite boards are made from discarded soda bottles, shopping bags, and other different kinds of waste plastic.
Since composite is plastic instead of wood, it doesn’t have the same vulnerabilities to pests and decay. It is naturally waterproof as well as rot-resistant. Lastly, composite is very lightweight, which is helpful if you are trying to build a lightweight deck.
The appearance was at one time the main drawback of composite; in the past, it was only available in a drab bluish-gray. Now, it’s available in many different wood looks; it doesn’t look exactly like natural wood but it is still very attractive.
