Materials for Your New CT Deck and Patio
Want to enjoy the outdoor weather a little bit more? A backyard deck or patio is an excellent way to spend more time outside in the privacy of your own home. Before you do this, you need to decide on material for the deck that suits your personal style and your home’s climate in order to expand the deck’s lifespan. Newer materials, such as synthetics and hardwoods, have begun to replace traditional options like redwood and cedar, but there are pros and cons to each material. Be sure to thoroughly research every option, and we’re always here to help!
Pressure-Treated Wood: The major benefit of pressure-treated wood is that is extremely low cost compared to other materials, coming in at about $2.80 per square foot. Made of fir permeated with anti-rot and anti-insecticide agents, the tan or brown color can be enhanced with a stain. However, the anti-rot ingredient does pose a safety risk, as it can become poisonous if burned. The wood will last for decades, and even longer if maintained with a sealer or stain every so often.
Cedar Wood: With this material, it is especially important to make sure you purchase the heartwood (the deeper red part) because this type of cedar will last longer and will not rot like sapwood (the white part) will. Sapwood will attract moisture, causing the deck to twist and split, but heartwood will keep the deck flat and straight. This gives your deck a gorgeous and unmatched natural look of wood, which lasts for about 15-20 years.
Composite Wood: While zero-free maintenance doesn’t exist, composite decking is as close as you will get. Made from recycled plastic, wood chips and sawdust, composite does not rot, splinter or twist and its maintenance includes a quick spray down with a garden hose. It’s only downsides includes a slightly higher price tag and some customer complaints of a cold surface, even during the summer.
Ipe Wood: This commonly ignored wood gives the deck a gorgeous appearance, is resistant to rot and extremely durable, so it’s great for stormy or harsher climates. While it lasts about 25 years, ipe requires a seal every year for protection. Ipe is naturally grown in South America, so the price tag is extremely high and fluctuates due to import costs. National costs range anywhere from $12 to $22 per square foot for the wood.
Vinyl: The newest material to join the decking family, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is just as near to maintenance-free as composite is. PVC is made of a cellular core with a layer of solid PVC around it and comes in a variety of colors, so instead of brown you can choose from white, gray and tans as well. It does have a significantly higher price though, at about $9.60 per square foot, the price can be worth it since it comes with a 25 year warranty.
New Materials: If you’re not looking to add or redo your deck right this moment, there are some materials that are currently available but manufacturing advancements will be making great improvements to in the next year or so. Advancements in the production of aluminum decks will eliminate the look of metal and keep the material cool in the summertime. In the wood area, wood deck is being infused with glass to give more strength and less maintenance. Finally, thermally cured wood will be resistant to insects, fungus and mold via a newer sealing treatment.
Fiderio & Sons would be proud to help you in any of your deck or patio installation needs! Come visit us at our Meriden showroom and click below to receive a $250 off coupon for your next home remodeling project!
