Making decisions in life is hard – especially when you have two great options in front of you. The best way to go about deciding is to be well informed about both options and what works best for your lifestyle. When it comes to decks, there are plenty of decisions to be made. One of the first decisions you will be presented with is choosing between composite decking vs wood.
There is a lot to know and understand about both types of decks. So before you blindly choose one over the other, learn about the pros and cons of each, maintenance requirements, and pricing, and then compare those factors to your lifestyle. The professionals at Paul Construction & Awning are here to help you every step of the way to make sure you end up with a deck that you love, whether that be wood or composite.
How Does Composite Decking vs Wood Compare?
While both types of decking are perfectly fine options, they are indeed different. Because a deck is a long term investment, it is important to know about the qualities of each type of decking material.
Wood
Some people live for the timeless beauty of a classic wood deck. And there are plenty of reasons why a wood deck might be best for you! But this material comes with its downsides, too. Let’s explore the varying qualities of a wood deck:
- Wood decking can come in beautiful cedar or redwood, which are both weather resistant. This helps prevent warping and cracking. These types are more expensive than your treated lumber options, but treated lumber is more susceptible to splitting and cracking.
- Natural wood requires a fair amount of maintenance, mostly because it needs to be refinished each year. Pressure treated wood only needs to be restained every other year, which makes it lower maintenance.
- Wood decks are traditional and bring a certain warmth to your home.
Composite
Composite decking is a wood alternative, which is made of plastic and wood fiber. What is composite decking all about?
- It’s an environmentally friendly material.
- Weather and stain resistant, won’t splinter or rot. But, it’s susceptible to mold and mildew, especially in shade, and tends to sag and bend more than wood.
- Fairly low maintenance and easy to clean, but will eventually show signs of age and decay.
- Some people think it looks “fake” or doesn’t look as nice as wood
- Can get slippery
Paul Construction Provides the Deck You Want
In the great debate of composite decking vs wood, neither choice is wrong. Based on the above, you can decide which is better for your family. Whichever you decide, Paul Construction is here to help create the deck of your dreams. Call today to schedule your free in-home consultation.
