Cheaper Alternatives To Decking
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Any wood you’re planning to build with should have a certification from the Forest Stewardship Council, especially hardwoods. On face value, a patio is always going to be cheaper than decking. It’s cheaper to lay concrete slabs than it is to set up complex wooden pieces. What’s more, a patio is, on the whole, likely to be a lot cheaper to maintain.
- The cost of timber decking boards depends on the type of wood – softwood decking is considerably cheaper than both hardwood decking and most composite decking options.
- We can’t say one is pricier than the other, as the price mostly depends on the materials you choose.
- Some types of wood decks such as those made of pressure-treated pine are much more cost-efficient than the composite decks.
- If the deck needs to be replaced after several years of use, this will also be a considerable cost.
- On the other hand, most composite decking solutions are cheaper in comparison to decks made of ipe or redwood.
- In terms of service life, the life of the wood is generally lower than that of composite decking.
Wood Decks Vs Composite Decks
The pulp inside the bamboo has been harvested to make even pillows and quilt batting due to the incredibly soft nature, even more so than cotton. There are two distinct types of bamboo decking, woven fibers and non woven fibers. The natural beauty of bamboo is undeniable, and in many climates can provide a lasting deck if maintained properly. With any wood style deck, it is going to take work to keep it at its best. Bamboo is no exception, and will need sealed and stained or pigmented. It will fade over time, so slapping on a coat of sealant in its natural state is not recommended. Additionally, areas that see a lot of rain or flooding, puddling, or marshy lands will not benefit from bamboo.
Now, Lets Talk About Composite Decking:
Woven types of bamboo is much more resistant to this problem, but still not waterproof. In standard moist areas and hot climates bamboo will serve you well. However, it is in fact a thing, and many homeowners find this type of decking best suits their needs. It also is easy to install, which makes it a great candidate for DIY projects.
The Materials for Making a Modern Deck
The price differential also depends on the wood species chosen versus the brand of composite decking, and local market conditions. Many homeowners choose wood decking because it is familiar, readily available and affordable. At the same time, wood decking problems like splinters, rot and high maintenance cause many headaches. Although composite wood decking is easier to maintain, some homeowners worry that composites won’t look as nice as wood.
Pressure-Treated Lumber Supplies
Decks Vs Patios: Which Option Is Cheaper?
In view of the purchase cost of decks, wood flooring is usually cheaper than composite decking. It should be noted that outdoor decking is a long-term investment. In the long run, wooden decking needs to be sanded, dyed, and oiled every year, which will occur maintenance costs. In terms of service life, the life of the wood is generally lower than that of composite decking. If the deck needs to be replaced after several years of use, this will also be a considerable cost. We can’t say one is pricier than the other, as the price mostly depends on the materials you choose. Some types of wood decks such as those made of pressure-treated pine are much more cost-efficient than the composite decks.
Wood Involves A Lot Of Maintenance
I’ve put together a quick guide to look at how you can reduce the cost of your garden makeover. Both wood and composite materials come in low and high quality, so cost or quality is not the only factor. It's commonly known that composite materials require less maintenance, hence, their cost is usually higher. But they do require some maintenance, and other factors come into play as well. Let's look at some of the issues involved in choosing the right deck material for your deck.
Whats Better: Real Wood Or Composite Wood?
Other than that, most composite decks come with long warranties, which can’t be said for the wooden ones. Make sure to choose high-quality composite decking boards to ensure longevity and durability. You can check this site out if you’re interested in browsing through some great examples. Yes, wood has a lower initial cost when purchasing the materials. Giving wood an advantage, and using a very low estimate of $115 per square metre for wood, on a 20 square metre deck, the initial cost is only $2,300 in materials.
Wood decking may stay cooler in the heat of the sun than composite decking, but it can still get hot. However, composite decking can withstand higher temperatures with less expansion and contraction. One contractor even tested it out and found that DuraLife’s composite decking is one of the coolest deck boards on the market. It doesn’t get as hot as other composite decking materials because it has a polypropylene plastic cap, which doesn’t heat up as much as other plastics, like polyethylene or PVC.
How Are Composite & Wood Decking Different?
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How to get the deck of your dreams, whether you use a pro or DIY article
So before installing a new composite deck in your yard, take the time to understand what it’s actually made of—and why it’s ultimately better than wood. Another frequent problem with composite decking is that if it fades, you may not be able to refresh the color. With real wood, it’s easy to re-stain it when the color fades. In most cases, though, composite wood isn’t compatible with paint.
Thus, instead of having to put dozens of options head-to-head, your choice becomes simpler, whether it is cedar vs. composite, redwood vs. composite or treated lumber vs. composite. Easy to use online tools can also help youestimate the costswhether you use wood or composite wood decking. Unlike most wood decking, composite decking is not prone to damage from termites and other wood-destroying insects. The result is composites that more closely resemble wood deck boards, like MoistureShield’s Vision decking line. As more builders and homeowners learn of wood decking problems, many are turning to high-performance composite decking. Invented in the late 1980s, wood-plastic composite decking (also called “composite wood deckingâ€) is made of wood fibers encased in plastic. Composite decking is readily available at big box home improvement stores like The Home Depot and Lowe’s, as well as local lumberyards throughout the U.S.