Home Improvement Costs

Composite decking has an advantage, though, because it expands and contracts less than PVC as the temperature changes. This helps ensure a stable, long-lasting deck, especially in areas with extreme weather. It is important to note that many times in the long run, a wood deck will cost more than a composite or PVC just because of the cost of the maintenance required.

Wolf® Decking

Deckorators balusters don't need to be painted or stained, which is probably the most tedious deck maintenance task there is. Manufactured decking isn't as stiff as wood decking, so it allows joists to bow. To help keep joists flat, always attach blocking perpendicular to the joists. Also, install diagonal blocking to keep the entire frame from racking. Use narrower lumber so the blocking looks less conspicuous from a distance. Once everything is secure, run a string on the top side of the joists and plane down the remaining high spots. Engineered lumber has been used inside buildings for years because it's stronger and straighter than regular lumber.

What To Know About Deck Railing Height

In hot, sunny areas, plastic decks can get very hot on the soles of the feet and actually radiate heat, making them uncomfortable. Still, for a virtually maintenance-free deck, plastic decking may be the answer. Plastic decking, which is 100 percent recyclable such as Azek, looks like wood. It might expand and contract in certain climates, loosening joints and making decks unstable. New metal balusters can give your existing wood deck a sleek, modern look. The round Classic Balusters are held in place by hidden connectors that require no hole drilling.

Timbertech Pro Vs Azek: Which Decking Is Best For You?

Natural wood has always been popular because of how it looks. However, composite decking has consistently improved in appearance over the past decades. Now you can find long-wearing composite decking finished to look like real wood. Composite decking is basically a combination of wood pulp and recycled plastic. More specifically, it uses high-density polyethylene , a type of plastic commonly used to make milk jugs, buckets, and detergent bottles. The ratio of wood to plastic varies depending on the brand.

The labor cost to install a new 144-square-foot deck ranges from$1,500 to $2,000. This runs$9 to $12 per square footfor boards and the structure, and $25 per square footfor stairs. This means that pros can cut these boards without the risk of splintering or cracking, a common problem with other vinyl materials like siding.

The core is comprised of Resin material that is a mixture of plastic and wood. The Pro’s are the same as PVC material except it isn’t as mold and mildew resistant, scratch resistant and the heat dissipation is not as good. The cons are also similar except at MasterDecks we have noticed more warranty claims on Capped Composite material than we have seen with full PVC lines.

Do You Know How To Avoid Staining A Deck? Build It From Something Other Than Wood Like Pvc Decking Boards

Much to the delight of homeowners, capped PVC does not require annual sanding, staining, or sealing. And, no other decking material is available in such a wide array of colors and natural-looking wood grains. Though these products may look similar, they each have their own unique qualities and benefits. Here, we examine the benefits of PVC decking vs. capped composite, and why a homeowner can’t really go wrong with either choice.

It is slightly more durable than plastic, which decreases the need for repairs or replacement. Composite decking is rising in popularity for its durability, low maintenance needs and style. At $4 to $13 per square foot, this material has a more consistent pricing than wood, which can vary from $4 to $30 per square foot.

Planning Guide: Decks

Below, we’ll take a closer look at capped polymer decking. There are major benefits to both capped polymer and capped composite boards. The product line you choose will depend on your investment level, design goals, and ultimate vision you have for your outdoor oasis.

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When you’re planning your deck, besides deciding the color, style and size, you’ll need to pick the material it will be made of. Generally, your choices will be wood, composite, and cellular PVC decking.

Stay up to 30 degrees cooler than competitive composite products. Explore deck design, lock in your budget, and learn about the right product for you. Economists not only look at the initial cost of an action, but the future costs as well. When shopping for a new deck, you need to shop like a good economist. How much time and money will it take to maintain your deck?

Both vinyl decking and composites are available throughout North America from several manufacturers – offering builders and DIYers a range of brand choices. Both decking types come in many different colors and do not require painting, staining or sealing, as wood decking does. Manufacturers produce composites by mixing plastics and wood fiber and extruding the material into boards. The wood fiber provides strength, while the plastic helps protect the wood from moisture. Composites can be made from either recycled or virgin ingredients.

• Which one you choose determines the style options, the price, what it’s like to own it, and the maintenance you’ll need to do to keep it looking great.
• Composites are by far the oldest decking product on the market.
• Even though composites don’t require staining or painting, they do need to be kept clean in order to keep them looking and functioning their best.
• The three main deck material options you’ll see on the market are pressure treated wood, composite, and PVC .
• Wood is a more natural product, while composite and vinyl are artificial decking materials.

Everything you need to finish a deck—fascia boards, railings, balusters, treads, and posts—is made in matching colors using the same composite material. Run-of-the-mill boards start at $4 per square foot, while the premium products that closely resemble tropical wood run up to $7.20 per square foot. If you want the sleek simplicity of a painted-wood look, opt for the PVC decking of the TimberTech AZEK Harvest Collection. Like all collections in the TimberTech AZEK line, the Harvest Collection features moisture-, fade-, stain-, and weathering-resistant capped polymer deck boards. Now available in both standard and wide-width in Brownstone and Slate Gray. To learn more, read a more in-depth composite decking comparison.

Nails and screws are inexpensive, easy to handle, and suitable for nearly any material. But nails can pop loose over time, while screws are more permanent.