Whether you are planning to have a deck built on your North Carolina or South Carolina home for the first time or you are tearing down your existing deck to make way for a new one, there are a lot of decisions that must be made in regard to decking nowadays. Many homeowners don’t realize just how many types of deck boards there are to choose from, which can make the selection process feel somewhat overwhelming.
Don’t worry, though. We’re here to help! Here, you’ll learn more about the differences between traditional wood decking and newer composite decking — these are the two most common general categories of deck materials available to consumers. By the time you are done reading, you should have a good idea of which one is right for you.
What are the pros of wood decks?
For decades, homeowners in the Carolinas and around the world have been choosing wood for their outdoor living spaces. If you aren’t fond of the look of value-priced treated lumber, and budget isn’t a concern for you, there are many stunning wood species that can be used for decking. These include Redwood, Cedar, Ipe, and Tigerwood.
One of the best things about wood decking is its look. It has an authentic timeless appearance that many homeowners love. It also tends to be more affordable than composite decking, unless you select a pricey tropical hardwood. Finally, wood decks are easy to customize — they can be painted or stained whenever you feel like changing their aesthetic to suit new furniture or outdoor accessories.
What are the cons of wood decks?
Perhaps the biggest downside of having a wood deck on your property is the maintenance involved in keeping it up properly. If you choose to paint or stain it, the process will have to be repeated every year or two. Furthermore, some Carolina homeowners opt to regularly treat their wood decks to prevent termites and other types of damage.
Additionally, in general, wood sucks are less durable than composite ones — they tend to sustain water damage, vermin damage, and more with greater frequency than their synthetic counterparts.
What are the pros of composite decks?
As you probably presumed from the previous section, the main positive attributes of composite decks like TimberTech and TREX are that they are extremely durable and low maintenance. Once they are installed, you don’t have to do much but occasionally wipe the boards down with a damp cloth.
What are the cons of composite decks?
The not-so-great things about composite decks are that they tend to have a less natural appearance than wood — this makes sense since they are, in fact, manmade — and they generally cost significantly more to install than wood designs. Furthermore, composite decking isn’t easy to paint or stain, so it’s difficult to alter your deck’s appearance if you get tired of it for any reason.
No matter what type of deck you are interested in, the Hatch Homes crew can help you bring your outdoor living dreams to fruition!