Pressure-Treated Wood: There are many options and flexibility for the kind, type and design of a deck that you want. A deck will make your home more eye pleasing and increase your home’s overall quality and the design can look natural and appealing to match the design of your home.
Unlike in the past, now there are many options in decking materials to choose from and it is important to understand each one. Making the right decision is essential in ensuring the durability of your deck as well as your enjoyment and use of it. Wood decks include Pressure-Treated Wood, Cedar and Tropical Hardwoods, while Synthetic decking includes Composite and Cellular PVC. Each type has its own pros and cons and they need to all be considered carefully.

Cedar: Cedar an appealing natural light wood option. This kind of wood option is two times more expensive than pressure-treated wood and also requires yearly staining if you don’t want it to turn grey.

Tropical Hardwoods: The most aesthetically appealing and the most expensive option of decking are the ipe and tigerwood tropical hardwoods. They are very hard, dense, heavy and durable materials. It is also recommended that these woods be stained every year and also require a protective stain preservative to be applied three months after building the deck to seal the natural oils that seep out of the wood. Tropical hardwoods are also naturally resistant to rot and insects.

Synthetic decking is almost maintenance free. Composite or PVC decking does not require sealing or staining, and it will not splinter, although some composite decking can retain heat.

Composite: Composite decking is comprised of wood and resin. The wood gives it a similar look to natural wood and adds structural support and the resin adds durability and weather-resistance. Composite decking is available in the color and grain of almost any natural wood.

Cellular PVC: Cellular PVC made completely from plastic. It is considered to be the best economical option of the synthetic materials, but is also the most expensive. It is also low-maintenance and has a long life expectancy with some manufacturers providing a lifetime warranty.

Design elements to think about are: Deck and rail material, Deck and step lighting, Decking pattern, Trim details, Overhead structures (Pergola, trellis), Single level or multilevel, Angles or shapes, and Under deck storage space.