What is the best decking for outdoors?

Pressure-treated lumber is the best wood for outdoor decks when it comes to upfront costs because of its easy accessibility. However, pressure-treated lumber — and indeed, all types of traditional wood decking material — require the aforementioned rigorous, costly maintenance over time.

Which type of decking is best?

While it's not nearly as popular as the other options, aluminum is actually an ideal material for decking. It's lighter and stronger than wood, composite, and vinyl, and resistant to mold, weather, and insects. It's even recyclable—not that you have to worry about that, since an aluminum deck will last forever.

What is the most durable deck?

Aluminum decking is the most expensive out of the deck material and will last the longest with a lifespan of 30+ years. Steel decking can have a lifespan of 60+ years when correctly installed by a professional builder.

What is the most durable decking material?

Composite decking, from brands such as Trex and TimberTech, is made from a blend of recycled plastic (polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC) mixed with wood fibers (like wood chips or sawdust). Not only does the durable synthetic material resist warping, it also holds strong against rot and insect infestations.

What is the longest lasting wood for a deck?

Ipe, the proven longest-lasting decking, 75 years or more

This is its strength; unlike cedar, which varies in level of resin, Ipe is just plain hard, dense. So hard and dense that it repels water and insects.

Ipe vs. Composite vs. PVC vs. Cedar: Which Decking is Best?

Is composite deck better than wood?

While they often cost more than wood, composite materials offer the promise of greater durability and less maintenance. Wood is still the most common choice for deck material,¹ but it doesn't last forever. Composites may be more durable, but they might lack the natural look and color you are looking for.

Is composite decking worth the money?

There is no doubt that composite decking material is more expensive than wood. However, it is valued for its striking resemblance to natural wood and efficiency making it an excellent choice for decking. It is easier to clean and maintain which makes it last long enough to transfer the same value to the next homeowner.

Which is better PVC or composite decking?

Durability: Both products score highest among decking products for durability. Mold and Mildew Resistance: Capped PVC decking has a slight edge over capped composite for its ability to resist mold and mildew. Stain Resistance: Both products rank highest among decking materials for stain resistance.

Is vinyl decking better than composite decking?

When comparing artificial decking materials, PVC comes out on top as the deck boards that are less susceptible to the scratches that damage composite boards. Plus, while any material left in the sun will show fading, vinyl is also better protected against color fading than composite.

Is composite decking slippery when wet?

Most composite decking is slippery compared to wood decking when wet. The polymer cap of the decking repelling the water, creating potential slipping hazards. There are some notable composite decking exceptions, that provide excellent traction both when wet and dry.

Which composite decking is best?

TimberTech AZEK products are perhaps the best (and most expensive) of all the composite decking manufacturers. Its capped polymer boards are covered by a 50-year fade and stain warranty. Additional product lines include TimberTech Pro with 30-year warranties and TimberTech Edge with 25-year warranties.

How long will a composite deck last?

Traditional wood decks have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Because composite decking is weather, insect, and rot resistant, making it last for 25 to 30 years or longer.

What is the best type of decking UK?

Can you pressure wash composite decking?

Pressure washing is not usually recommended for composite decking. If done incorrectly, it can be a big mistake. Pressure washing too close or using too much pressure can be ruinous for your deck. Composite decking material is softer than natural wood and therefore can be “etched” more easily.

How much does it cost to build a 20x20 deck?

The average homeowner spends $2,200 to build a 10x10 foot deck, $6,160 to build a 14x20 deck, and $8,800 to build a 20x20 deck. The cost to build a deck with pressure-treated wood, hardwood, or composite is about $25 per square foot, for both materials and installation.

What are the disadvantages of Trex decking?

What are the problems with PVC decking?

Certain PVC decking products are prone to peeling, staining, deteriorating, and mold accumulation after relatively short periods of time. Some of the PVC decking subject to these complaints is manufactured by AZEC, TimberTech, and Wolf Home Products.

Is a Trex deck worth it?

Trex decks are worth it because you get what you pay for. They cost more than a treated lumber one, making up for your extra outlay of cash at the onset, and will last for years longer than the average treated deck, letting you more than recoup your investment. Trex decks are also low maintenance.

How expensive is composite decking?

So how much does composite decking cost? On average, a composite deck costs between $4.50 to $13 per square foot for the decking alone, or about $30 to $60 per square foot installed, including the substructure (joists, posts, and beams). Natural wood decks cost $25 to $43 per square foot installed.

Do composite decks get too hot?

Wood composite decks exposed to direct sunlight can easily become too hot to walk on with bare feet. Unfortunately, hot decking prevents homeowners from fully enjoying their investment and presents a safety risk for children and pets.

Is Trex decking better than wood?

Unlike treated wood, which is susceptible to warping, rotting, or splintering over time, Trex composite decking doesn't fade, resists damage from the elements, and never needs sealing or painting. It's eco-friendly, too, because it's manufactured from high-quality recycled materials.

What does Trex decking cost?

Trex Decking Cost Per Square Foot

The materials cost for a Trex deck with substructure, decking and fasteners included, generally falls into the range of $9 to $16 per square foot. Options and the materials grade, however, can push this total as high as $30 per square foot.

What is the coolest decking material?

While Ipe is the coolest option, Cedar decking is a close second as it maintains a temperature that is a few degrees cooler than Redwood when exposed to the sun.

What are the different types of decks?