A deck is a must-have for any home with an ample outdoor area. Australians love the outdoors, and decks are a great way to sprawl out in your backyard. It’s a place where you can relax on hot summer days while taking advantage of one of Australia’s most precious resources: sunshine. A deck is a wonderful place for you and your family to spend time together. Whether it’s playing cards over a glass of lemonade or catching up with friends, a deck can be an extension of your living room. It’s also a great way to get fresh air without going outdoors, which is especially important in the winter months when many people want to stay indoors.
What is the best material to build a deck?
Hardwood decks are often the best materials to use. Along with our deck design expertise, we also offer a variety of different types of wood that are suitable for most tastes and budgets. You can find the perfect match to your outdoor needs by choosing from Merbau, spotted gum, and ironbark. However, if you’re looking for something extra-special, don’t hesitate to ask about building a custom composite deck using recycled plastic decks.
What is the best material to build a deck?
The answer will depend on your budget, the location of the deck, and its intended use. It is important to know that all deck materials require maintenance—especially wood. Decks can deteriorate over time if not properly maintained. So a wooden deck needs annual sanding and oiling to maintain its look and longevity.
When deciding on a material for your new deck, consider weather conditions in your area (heavy snowfall in winter), the climate where your deck will be built (high salt air content can speed up any deterioration process) and how you plan to use the deck. Think about where the deck is located. Is it in full sun all day? It is undercover? Or will it be rained on and constantly wet?
In order of cost per square foot, here is a breakdown of some common materials used to build decks:
- Wood—Hardwood or softwood lumber offers a good value, and you can build your deck in almost any style. However, because of weather conditions, wood needs more maintenance with a higher cost to maintain than other materials. This is especially true for composite, which requires less maintenance than pressure-treated wood but costs more per square foot.
- Capped composite—This product offers the appearance of wood but with the durability of better weather resistance, as well as being easier to maintain than other composite decking materials.
- Aluminum—A beautiful, long-lasting material that is maintenance-free and requires little or no painting. It has the added advantage of being a lightweight metal so it won’t rot like wood decks can.
- Concrete—Although concrete decks are extremely durable and attractive (they come in a range of colors), they are quite expensive.
- Composite wood is less expensive but requires more maintenance. However, homeowners who have composite decks rave about how easy it is to keep them looking good—just wash with a garden hose and you’re done. If you live near the coast, ask your local lumberyard or building supply store to tell you about products that are made to resist the salt air (and cost more).
- Another option is RPL—a composite of recycled plastic and wood chips. Manufacturers claim that it will never splinter, warp, crack, mold, or mildew and is resistant to warping, fading, staining and rot. It does not require paint or sealers. RPL costs a little more than some of the alternatives but in many areas it is easier (and cheaper) to install because you can work with it wet on rainy days.
What is the longest-lasting deck material?
If you expect to keep your deck for a long time, concrete or the new recycled plastic wood may be your best option. These materials are designed to last over 100 years and don’t need any maintenance other than hosing off. RPL is made by combining wood chips with recycled plastic. It looks like wood but is engineered to last three times longer than wood. RPL becomes a permanent part of your deck and doesn’t need replacement like wood does.
Beneath the visible surface, all materials used for decks must be moisture resistant and able to withstand weather conditions where you live—whether they are frequent downpours or high winds from hurricanes.
No matter what material you choose, check with your local building code official to make sure it is permitted for use on decks. You may need a railing along the sides and top of your deck and steps leading up to it from the ground—and this can add significantly to the cost.
What is the most cost-effective decking material?
In terms of low cost, wood comes out on top. Wood is available in a wide range of species and prices depending on the type of wood you select and what part of your state or country you live in. Hardwood lumber is more expensive than softwood lumber but tends to last twice as long as softwoods like pine.
Why use Composite material for decks?
Unlike other deck materials, such as hardwood or pressure-treated wood, composite decking will not splinter, crack or rot. Composite decking is a maintenance-free product that lasts for decades!
You have heaps of options when it comes to designing and building beautiful decks with Composite deck boards:
What is an Eco-friendly composition
Composite decking is 100% recyclable and sustainable. It contains no chemicals, glues or adhesives that harm the environment.
Composite decks are made from up to 85% recycled raw materials: reclaimed wood fibers, plastics, glass, and aluminum cans. They don’t require any maintenance—no staining, sealing, or painting required.
Composite decking is made of long-lasting materials such as polyethylene and recycled plastic (HDPE). Polyethylene makes up 60% of the deck board, and it doesn’t need to be replaced when the material wears out.
The durable raw materials are reinforced by additives that create a solid bond inside each deck.