If you are thinking about having a deck (screened or open) built on your new home, you will need to decide what materials to use. There are several options out there and things to consider when making your decision. How much do you want to spend? Are you looking for maintenance “free”?

The first thing you will need to decide is what decking material will be used. Decking is the plank material on the walking surface of the deck. There are two common material options.

Pressure Treated Wood Decking

Pressure treated wood is material that has been specially treated to withstand the elements. It is meant for outside applications because it won’t warp and weather as bad as regular lumber. It looks great but it does require regular maintenance (power-washing and sealing) to keep it looking good.PROS: looks nice, less expensive than other decking material

CONS: requires regular cleaning and sealant

PVC & Composite Decking

PVC and composite decking have been around for a while. We’ve used both but we think TimberTech’s PVC product is superior because it is more resistant to moisture, fading and heat than composite decking (like Trex).

Composite is made up of compressed fibrous material which means it is more likely to absorb moisture, which could cause mold or mildew. When Paul and I built our home in 2008, we installed Trex decking. Unfortunately, the way the sun hit the deck (or rather, didn’t hit the deck) caused mold to build up every few months. We found ourselves having to scrub and power wash our “low maintenance” deck a few times a year. It became irritating to the point that we replaced it with PVC (TimberTech) and we’ve been pleased ever since! PVC decking also stays cooler under foot because it does not absorb heat as much as composite decking tends to do. PVC PROS: looks great, several colors to choose from and virtually no maintenance

PVC CONS: $$$ than pressure treated wood

DECK RAILS

When designing your new deck, you will also need to choose what kind of rail material you prefer. Unless stated otherwise, we will install white vinyl railing. They look great, providing a crisp, clean finish!You can also choose vinyl rails with iron pickets. While more expensive, this modern look is gaining popularity!While we install a lot of decks and rear porches when building our homes, it is also something easy to do down the road if you can’t fit it into your budget. Regardless of when you decide to do it, the extra outdoor living space will absolutely increase the value of your home. It is one of those things that gives you a return on your investment immediately!

Dream. Build. Live.