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While most of the structure of the deck is made of pressure-treated lumber and sometimes steel beams, the actual decking is the part you walk on. It can be made of wood, plastic (PVC) or a composite material that combines plastic with wood fibers.
What is the best material to make a deck out of?
Pressure treated lumber can give you many years of use and enjoyment of your deck. Often made from southern pine, a wood variety known for its load-bearing strength and durability, pressure treated materials can be the best wood for decking in high-traffic spaces.
What are decks made of besides wood?
The rest in the list, while an option, aren’t terribly popular. Composite Decking. There are many options other than natural wood for a deck. PVC Decking. Source: Home Depot. Vinyl Decking Systems. Aluminum Decking. Vinyl Tiles. Bamboo Decking. Rubber Paver Tiles. Interlocking Grass Deck Tiles.
What is the cheapest deck to build?
Pressure-treated wood, or chemical-treated wood, decks are generally the cheapest material to build decks with. For up-front savings, that seems great, but don’t forget long-term costs.
What is the longest lasting deck material?
Aluminum and Steel 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 decking material does not get hot?
When you’re looking for the ultimate wood decking that stays cooler in the summer, there is not a better option than Ipe. Ipe decking packs in a lot of features and is one of our top choices for many reasons. It’s a very dense wood which makes it incredibly durable and causes it retains less heat than its counterparts.
Can you use plywood instead of deck boards?
Plywood decking is a great choice as an alternative to regular boards as long as the right plywood is used. Normal plywood is only four or five layers of wood and is bonded together by a basic epoxy. The only kind of plywood you should use as decking material is marine plywood.
What can I use to replace decking?
10 Solid Alternatives to Wood Decking Bamboo Decking. Bamboo is a common material today, used for many different products due to its strength and durability, as well as its ability to withstand moisture. Composite Decking. Plastic Lumbar. Aluminum Decking. Interlocking Deck Tiles. Silca System Decking. Vinyl. Rice Hull Decking.
How much should a 20×20 deck cost?
New Deck Installation Cost The average homeowner spends $2,200 to build a 10×10 foot deck, $6,160 to build a 14×20 deck, and $8,800 to build a 20×20 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.
Why are decks so expensive?
Labor and materials are the primary factors that impact the costs in building a deck. Everything up to installing floorboards will have a specific cost that can be determined during the planning stages. Railings can add slightly to overall costs or can be ornamental and therefore add a chunk of change to the price.
What is the average cost of building a deck?
The average price range of building a new deck in the United States can be anywhere between $4,000 and $11,000. Including materials and labor, a standard deck will cost roughly $30-$60 per square foot. That means, for a standard 14 x 20 foot deck, you can expect to pay around $6,000.
What is the life expectancy of a wood deck?
While the average wooden deck has a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years, composite products far exceed wood decks due to the engineered nature of the product. Composite deck boards are made by molding real wood and synthetic fibers into boards and capping them with a vinyl shield.
How long do decks usually last?
A deck made of untreated wood can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. Decks made of treated wood and composite materials can last as long as 50 years. Many composite decks come with a 20-year warranty – and often a lifetime guarantee.
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.
What are the problems with composite decking?
Common complaints from homeowners include their composite decking board swelling, shifting, warping, and shrinking. The cause of this isn’t exactly clear, but it’s suggested that the composite nature of the decking leads it to be much more sensitive to temperature and humidity swings as well as sun exposure.
Do composite decks get too hot?
High-quality modern composite boards don’t become hotter than traditional wooden deck boards. In addition, the lighter the color of the composite deck boards that you choose, the cooler they will stay in direct sunlight.
Does composite decking warp?
Your composite deck may not warp, but it can sag and buckle. Most sagging is caused by improper spacing between the joists when it is installed. Also, thermal expansion, the fluctuation of temperatures, can have a more significant effect on composite decking than on natural wood decking.
How much is a sheet of marine grade plywood?
The average price, depending on the thickness, the number of plys and dimensions, is anywhere from $45 to $215+ per sheet. A common unfinished 3/4″ x 4′ x 8′ AB marine plywood board, for example, can retail for about $70. To price it per square foot, it can be between $2 to $3 for the materials alone.
What is marine grade decking?
Marine-grade or marine-rated lumber withstands the elements associated with ocean environments. Despite harsh weather and constant exposure to salt and fresh water, marine-grade boards ensure your build’s longevity.
How is marine plywood treated?
Marine Grade Plywood is not treated with chemicals, unlike other types of wood like CCA, Copper Azole and Pyro-Guard. Among the grades Marine Plywood comes in are A-A, A-B, B-B, MDO (medium density overlay) and HDO (high density overlay). A-A is one of the best types, as it is smooth and can easily be painted.
