Choosing the right material for your deck with Cleveland Decking can be one of the most important decisions that you make when designing and building a new outdoor space. Decking materials are available in many varieties, differing greatly in their durability, ease of upkeep, and beauty. As you consider which material is best for you think about where you plan to use it what kind of look or feel you want to achieve. This article will focus on four major types of decking commonly used today: Ipe, Trex Decking, Composites Deck & Fiberon Deck. Each has its own unique benefits and drawbacks so choose carefully!
Ipe Decking:
The first type we’ll explore is Ipe wood hardwood. This beautiful Brazilian hardwood grows naturally in some of the densest rainforest regions in South America. As a result of this growth pattern, Ipe wood has developed an incredibly dense and tight grain. These tightly packed fibers make it extremely resistant to rot and pests like termites and carpenter ants, preventing potentially dangerous structural issues and ensuring that your deck will last as long as you own your home.
Secondly, Ipe Decking is naturally resistant to many types of stains. This makes it excellent for outdoor spaces where you plan on hosting parties or barbecues often as it will not show soil easily. At first glance, this material may seem too rough looking for use with covered decks unless they are frequented by only the most formal guests since its coarse texture can catch un-gloved skin and clothes.
Trex Decking:
Trex Decking is a composite made from 80% recycled wood and plastic. This makes it water-resistant, chemical resistant, and generally more environmentally friendly than other types of materials because it uses only a fraction of new materials in its production. Trex Decking also contains no harmful chemicals, is not treated with fire retardants, and doesn’t require any additional sealant after installation so it’s easy to maintain compared to other types of materials.
Although this material can be more expensive than others, the cost is often offset by significant savings in time spent maintaining your deck. There are several styles of Trex Decking available which you can peruse on their website, including some that give the appearance of traditional wood at a fraction of the price! As an added bonus, they claim that their product emits less off-gassing than many other composite materials during installation which can lead to headaches for some homeowners when installing new decks.
Composite Decking & Fiberon Deck:
These two different materials have a lot in common. Both use a mixture of recycled plastics and wood to create a material that is waterproof, mold-resistant, splinter-free, and doesn’t require additional sealants after installation. Composite Decking is made from polyethylene while Fiberon Deck uses high-density fiberboard. In both cases, these decks last longer than traditional wood without requiring any special care. They are naturally resistant to decay, fungi, insects, mildew, mold, rot, UV light damage from the sun, and other causes of deterioration in a way that natural wood simply cannot reproduce. Because they don’t even need to be stained or sealed, using either fiber composite Decking or Fiberon Deck significantly reduces the amount of time you spend maintaining your deck.
Both Composite Decking and Fiberon Deck are maintenance-free so they require little upkeep, but it’s especially true for the fiber composite material compared to natural wood. All you have to do is hose off any dirt or grime that accumulates! Keep in mind that these decks can sometimes be slippery when wet, so this may not be the best deck surface if you live in an area where it rains frequently. However, both materials will retain their color over time without fading which means there’s no need to worry about reapplying a special sealant in order to keep them looking like new.
One drawback associated with synthetic materials is that they tend to heat up more readily than natural woods in high temperatures, so they aren’t ideal if you plan on installing your deck facing south or west where it will be exposed to the most direct sunlight. Decking that is made from treated wood can also be more susceptible to insect attacks, but this isn’t typically a problem with fiber composites.
Composite Cleveland Decking & PVC Cleveland Decking:
Composite Decking and PVC Deck are both lumber-based composite materials that use engineered woods like laminated strand lumber and hardwood chips. Composite Decking is made from 80% recycled wood and plastic while PVC Decking uses 100% virgin polymer resin material, making them both very durable and resistant to damage from insects or fungi. They can also be customized using a range of different colors, grains, shapes, textures, thicknesses, and finishes which makes them extremely versatile as far as aesthetics goes.
Although Composite Decking has been known for its resistance to water damage, recent improvements in the manufacturing process now make it completely rot-proof too! Deck boards made with the older designs will expand when exposed to moisture causing gaps between planks that can trap dirt and cause mildew over time. The newer version won swell up or warp at all so they don’t have any problems when exposed to moisture or humidity.
PVC Decking is even more rot-resistant than Composite Decking but it’s also a little bit more expensive because it uses virgin polymer material while almost all of the recycled plastic in Composite Decking comes from post-industrial waste. PVC Decking can be nailed or screwed into place for a secure attachment just like Composite Decking, and both materials can be applied over certain types of insulation without making contact with the flame barrier.
PVC Deck also doesn’t require special sealants like Composite Decking, but you won’t need to stain it either! This means that there’s no concern about cutting corners when applying a new coat every few years; just give your deck a quick scrub and it’s good as new. Decking made from PVC Decking is also completely impervious to UV light damage, so all you have to do to keep it looking good is cover it with an oversized umbrella or awning if you plan on having prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Composite Cleveland Decking will eventually scratch and fade over time under the same conditions.
Neither type of deck board has any issues with heat buildup because they don’t absorb heat like natural woods, which means that both materials are suitable for installing decks facing south or west where temperatures can get very hot during summer months.
If you’re concerned about maintenance then there’s a lot more flexibility in terms of color selection since Composite Decking boards come in a range of different colors while PVC Decking is available in an ever-increasing number of new colors, textures, and finishes.
Neither type of lumber-based material requires staining or special sealants so it’s up to you whether you want to spend the time maintaining Composite Decking boards or go with PVC Decking which will always look brand new for years on end.
Give Cleveland Decking a call for any questions related to decking materials.