By David Wilfong
More and more, outdoor spaces are becoming a standard “living space” in a home. Outdoor cooking, entertaining or even just star-gazing late into the night are favorite pastimes. These spaces are finding their way onto the drawing boards of new homes in construction. But they are also a sought-after addition for owners of older homes.
Building an outdoor deck is one of the top prized additions many homeowners are going for, and wood has long been the go-to material for both ease of construction and appearance. However, in today’s market there are many notable alternatives to natural wood that deserve some consideration. From long-term cost to environmental factors, composite decks are growing in popularity all the time, and they have come a long way in quality from when they were first introduced decades ago.
“Composite decking might still be a new decking material but it has already proven the many benefits it can offer,” says Utah Deck Company in its online blog. “The combination of wood, vinyl, and other types of recycled material, composite decking has a longer lifespan compared to wooden decks. They can also hold up well even under more intense weather conditions. Composite decking is also resistant to pest infestations and rot without any need to use chemical treatments. This is also very low maintenance and only requires surface cleaning once every year.”
There are a wide variety of composite materials out there, running the gamut of quality and price. Somewhat new to the market, Trex decking is a particular type of composite material which is fast gaining fans in both the building community and customers who choose it for their own homes.
“Trex’s exclusive composite formula combines the highest qualities of plastic and wood to come up with a more superior wood alternative,” the blog adds. “Plastic can shield the wood from insect and moisture damage and prevent splintering and rotting. Meanwhile, wood can keep the plastic protected from UV damage and provide a natural feel and look at the same time. This results to a decking material that only requires periodic cleaning so that it can stay beautiful for the many years to come with no need for painting, staining, or sanding.
“One of the top benefits of Trex decking is that it doesn’t deteriorate or rot due to insects or harsh weather. Trex is also splinter-free with excellent traction even during wet conditions. This doesn’t contain preservatives and moisture and can resist damage from sunlight and moisture.”
Still, many homeowners prefer to go with the original, natural solution. Wood is a material that will never go out of style, and many homeowners like the aging qualities of wood, which a synthetic alternative simply will not emulate.
“One thing you will love about wood decks is their beauty and natural look,” the blog concludes. “This allows wood decks to blend well with the rest of your landscaping while giving off that rustic appeal. They are also durable. You can stain your wood deck to help maintain its original appearance or you can also just let it weather to achieve that natural silver.”