Decking Materials In Central MA: Which Is Best?
Discover The Best Deck Material For Your Home
The Central MA and Boston areas see a lot of different weather throughout the year. In the summer, it may rain and pour one day, and tomorrow could be humid and hot. During winter, we get ice and snow, as well as blistering cold temperatures.
All of this weather can wreak havoc on your deck. Choosing the best deck material is extremely important as it ensures your deck stays looking great and fully functional.
The Best Decking Materials
Choosing a durable material for your deck is going to make all the difference in enjoying your deck for many years to come. Choose the wrong decking material, and you will find your deck may be an eyesore, or you may need tons of repairs down the road.
Composite Decking
Composite decking is one of the strongest options out there and also has phenomenal visual appeal. Composite decking comprises several elements, including low-density polyethylene, wood fibers, and other materials.
Composite decking requires very little maintenance. In fact, most people find they can simply wash their deck a few times per year to maintain its beauty.
In addition, since composite decking is a combination of various products, it is surprisingly eco-friendly. If you want a deck option that helps to reduce your carbon footprint, composite decking is the way to go!
Concrete
Using concrete for decks is not super popular as concrete is often used only for the footers of a deck. However, an entire deck made from concrete can be possible.
Most times, those who consider concrete for their decks often find this ends up looking more like a porch seen in southern states. While concrete is extremely strong, there is always the worry it will crack and lead to issues.
Plus, concrete decks often have to be washed and painted. In addition, concrete can become painfully hot under the sun, which for those who love to go barefoot on their decks, may not be a possibility.
PVC Decking
PVC decking is a plastic composite made in various wood patterns for a deck. While PVC decking is considered maintenance-free, it is one of the most expensive products to choose from.
Plus, PVC decking does not contain a lot of recycled materials, so it is not considered an eco-friendly option for most people. Many homeowners hesitate to choose PVC decking for their homes based on the cost alone.
Hardwoods
There are tons of hardwoods out there, often exotic, which people use for their Central MA decks. A few of the more common hardwoods being used include Tigerwood, Cumaru, and Mahogany.
The good news about hardwoods is they are resistant to infestation and rot, and the natural tannins in hardwood often mimic pressure-treated lumber.
However, the problem with using hardwoods is not only the price but the sustainability of these woods. So if being green is important, then hardwoods would not be the best option.
Pressure-Treated Wood
Pressure-treated wood is one of the most common types of materials used to build decks throughout the United States. Pressure-treated wood prevents infestations from bugs while being highly resilient to rot.
While this all sounds great, there is a lot of maintenance that goes with keeping pressure-treated wood decks looking great for years. Pressure-treated wood decks must be power-washed often and then regularly stained to keep them looking great.
Cedar Decking
Cedar is a high-quality wood that is used just as often for decking as pressure-treated woods. Cedar does not have to be treated since it naturally is resistant to infestation and rot.
However, cedar decks still require a fair amount of maintenance. The natural color of cedar will gray over time; thus, staining this is not always a must.
Is A New Deck In Your Future?
A deck can be a great place to relax at home while also being a wonderful location for hosting gatherings at your home outdoors.
If you already have a deck that has any of the following issues, then you may find replacing your deck is the best choice for the safety of everyone in your home!
- Your current deck may be warped
- Bugs are eating your current deck
- It is no longer gorgeous and may appear older than it really is
- You want to increase the curb appeal of your home
Why We Use Composite Decking
Here at Solid State Construction, we use TimberTech AZEK Composite Decking. Why is this?
- Composite decking has tons of color options, so we can get whatever visual you want to achieve with your deck
- Composite decking will not splinter, rot, crack or warp
- It is resistant to scratching, staining, and fading
- Never worry about maintenance…you get to enjoy your deck without a worry in the world
Our goal is for every Central MA homeowner to be truly satisfied with their home’s deck while feeling confident in the structural integrity for years to come.
Get A Free Consultation Today
When you choose to go with Solid State Construction, you are getting customer-focused nerds who love every aspect of exterior remodeling, including building a new deck for your home or replacing your old deck.
If you are ready to take your deck to a new level, contact us today for a free consultation on what we could do for you. A brand-new deck for your Central, MA, home is just a phone call away. Call us today at 508-581-3798!