The thing about decks is that the options are almost endless. There are so many different types of wood to use; cedar, pressure treated pine, dimensional pine, tropical woods, redwood, etc. If you are looking for a low maintenance deck you will choose between brands like Trex, Timbertech, Dekorators, and Moisture Shield. For those of you who want to go a step further with a cellular PVC maintenance free decking surface you can choose between AZEK, Aeratis, Veck-a-Deck, Royal, and countless other brands. And rails.....well there are even more rail choices then decking choices.
Because of this I'm going to narrow it down to 4 practical choices for someone who wants to build a solid long lasting deck.
1. Traditional Pressure Treated Deck.
2. Composite Deck with Vinyl Composite Rails.
3. Red Cedar Deck.
4. Cellular PVC Deck with Vinyl Composite Rails.
I will also highlight some new rail options that have been all the rage in decking this summer.
We start with the old standard. Pressure treated Pine deck, with custom milled wooden rails. This particular option is the most traditional, and economical option for those looking to build a new deck. As of late there has been a large outcry against pressure treated lumber because it is treated with an arsenic solution. This particular concern is very over blown. The only time the arsenic could really be a problem is if your burned the deck, then rolled around in, while also inhaling the ashes. Something tells me you aren't planning on doing that.
That being said, If you are looking to save some up front money in building your deck then pressure treated wood is the way to go. However, there will be a yearly cost to maintain the deck with staining. Multiple years of this do add up. There is also a benefit in going with wooden rails in this application. By using Pine rails you can basically design any rail pattern you want. You are not restricted by available railing styles like you would find in Vinyl Rails.
This particular deck has a mission style rail with an incorporated lattice work top. That lattice is made from plastic, and is a very minimal upgrade, which gives a unique look. The flooring itself is laid in a diagonal pattern to give it a little character. You, of course can choose any pattern you wish for the floor, but know this, there will be an up-charge for labor if you choose an intricate floor design.
A rising trend in the decking market has been composite decking. The lure of composite decking is the low maintenance aspect of the product. You never have to paint or stain a composite surface, and cleaning is a simple as hosing it down once a week or so. There are several composite brands on the market. Most people have heard of Trex. Trex is the oldest and most widely known maker of composite decking materiel. You may also be familiar with Timbertech. For my money, I always suggest installing Moisture shield decking. Moisture Shield is kind of new in the decking market but is quickly making a name for itself. Starting off, Moisture shield has a nice array of colors to choose from.
The colors are very attractive, I must say. But I'm sure you're asking "Adam, why is moisture shield a better product?" Well fine reader I can answer that swiftly for you. Moisture Shield decking has a 25 year warranty against manufacturer defects (which is, of course, industry standard) What makes Moisture Shield special is its manufacturing process. In which the wood fibers which make up the composite material are heating to a flashing point which kill any organic organisms living inside of it. This prevents the decking from growing mold from within. With other products (yes, even Trex) mold will often form black spots on the decking surface. These spots are easily cleaned away, but they will always return because the spores live WITHIN the organic material in the deck. Another added feature is that Moisture Shield decking protects against ground moisture. Which means any moisture that could seep into boards from underneath, will not penetrate the surface. This feature is unique to Moisture Shield.
Application options are also endless. You have the same freedom that you would have with pressure treated wood, but with none of the maintenance. This convenience does come with a cost though. Composite decks can cost upwards of two times the amount of pressure treated decks. It is also important to make sure that your contractor is using proper installation techniques. Many manufacturers have standards that must be met with installation to ensure that the warranty goes into effect. If your contractor installs it wrong then you have no warranty. So remember to ASK QUESTIONS.
Well folks that's it for now. Be sure to tune in to part 2.
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