What is the best material for outdoor decking
What is the best material to use for decks?
Pressure treated lumber can give you many years of use and enjoyment of your deck. Often made from southern pine, a wood variety known for its load-bearing strength and durability, pressure treated materials can be the best wood for decking in high-traffic spaces.
What is the longest lasting decking material?
Aluminum and Steel
Aluminum decking is the most expensive out of the deck material and will last the longest with a lifespan of 30+ years. Steel decking can have a lifespan of 60+ years when correctly installed by a professional builder.
What is the best decking for outdoors?
Enthusiasts of natural wood prefer hardwood decking because it is widely available, strong, lightweight, and has a naturally attractive colour that makes for a beautiful deck. The wood has naturally occurring oils and tannins that are resistant to insects and rot.
Which lasts longer wood or composite decking?
While they often cost more than wood, composite materials offer the promise of greater durability and less maintenance. Wood is still the most common choice for deck material,1 but it doesn’t last forever. Composites may be more durable, but they might lack the natural look and color you are looking for.
Is PVC better than composite?
PVC is much harder and more scratch resistant than composite decking, which is good news if you have a large dog or heavy patio furniture. All these benefits don’t come cheap, however: PVC decking will cost you about $10 per sq. ft. Some companies offer a limited lifetime warranty.
What is the lifespan of Trex decking?
between 25 and 30 years
Composite decking requires minimal upkeep and can last between 25 and 30 years. On average, plastic decking has a similar lifespan to composite decking and can last nearly 30 years.
Is composite decking worth the money?
There is no doubt that composite decking material is more expensive than wood. However, it is valued for its striking resemblance to natural wood and efficiency making it an excellent choice for decking. It is easier to clean and maintain which makes it last long enough to transfer the same value to the next homeowner.
How much does a 20×20 composite deck cost?
Composite Decking Cost Per Square Foot
| Composite Deck Quality | Cost Per Square Foot Installed | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Composite Deck | $20 | $5,821 |
| National Average Cost | $28 | $8,064 |
| Premium Composite Deck | $38 | $10,826 |
What are the problems with composite decking?
Four Major Disadvantages of Wood Composite Decking
- Wood Composite Decking Lacks Strength. Wood composite deck boards tend to weigh more than traditional wood while providing less strength. …
- Hot Decking. …
- Expansion and Contraction Leads to Damage. …
- Susceptible to Mold. …
- A Better Alternative to Wood Composite Decking.
Is Trex deck worth?
Composite decking is worth the money.
It costs more upfront, but thanks to minimal maintenance costs and long life, the annual cost for the life of the fence is significantly cheaper for composite materials. If what you have in mind are the Trex decks of 15 years ago, you’d be surprised to see how far they’ve come.
Do composite decks get hot?
But how hot can composite decking get in the sun? One study found that in direct sunlight, composite decks can reach temperatures from 34° to 76° F hotter than the surrounding air. On an 80° day, that could mean a deck surface temperature of more than 150°.
Which is better wood or composite decking?
Unlike most wood decking, composite decking is not prone to damage from termites and other wood-destroying insects. While all-wood decking will eventually splinter, composite decking is made with small wood fibers encased in plastic, so it won’t splinter.
Can I put Grill on Trex deck?
Yes, Gas grills are safe to use on a composite deck. Composite decking is designed to a minimum of Class C fire rating similar to wood decking. Gas grills can be safely used on both composite and wood decking being raised high enough to provide enough clearance as not to damage either composite or wood decking.
Is Trex hot in the sun?
Does Trex decking get hot on a sunny day? Like many other outdoor surfaces, such as concrete, asphalt, beach sand, wood decking, other brands of composite decking, etc., Trex decking can get hot due to weather and sun exposure.
Why is Trex so expensive?
The first reason why composite decking is expensive is that they’re not an expenditure. They’re an investment. They require much less maintenance over time as compared to normal decks. Composite decking materials are designed to be resistant to mold, mildew, and rot.
What is the average cost of a Trex deck?
Trex Decking Cost
Trex decking costs $1,600 to $9,600, averaging about $4,800. That’s $5 to $12 per square foot for just decking boards and $5 to $15 per square foot for installation. Size is the biggest price factor, with 144 square feet ranging from $1,440 to $3,900 compared to $3,000 to $8,100 for 300 square feet.
Is Trex decking slippery when wet?
Trex decking is a low-maintenance decking solution that requires a fraction of the work of wood decks and is less likely to get slippery when wet. It still requires occasional attention to keep it looking its best, but you’ll be delighted with the finished results.
What are the different grades of Trex?
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREX? The Trex decking brand is divided up into four separate composite deck board lines: Trex Enhance Basics, Trex Enhance Naturals, Trex Select, and Trex Transcend.
Is there a cheaper version of Trex?
Generally speaking, Trex and Fiberon offer the least expensive options while TimberTech and AZEK come in on the higher end. However, keep in mind that the higher-tiered grades of Trex are more expensive than the lower-tiered grades of Timbertech so it’s important to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples.
Is Trex cheaper than wood 2021?
Trex Decking can be slightly more pricey than wood decking, depending on the features you choose. A Trex deck costs on average $5 to $12 per square foot, compared to wood decking which costs $3 to $7 per square foot. Pressure treated wood will be more expensive, costing between $6 and $14 per square foot.
How do you fasten Trex decking?
What is an alternative to Trex decking?
Dura-Life has emerged as a compelling alternative to Trex by introducing polypropylene plastic decking to the market. With a material that’s stiffer, harder, and stronger than other polymers, Dura-Life can deliver longer stable spans than competing brands.