Wood Decking Materials Comparison

Find all types of decking materials including aluminum pvc plastic hardwood redwood fiberglass steel ipe cedar eco friendly composites and more.

Wood decking materials comparison.

Probably the most difficult decision to make when building a wood deck is what type of decking to use. While a deck built with these materials is clearly not natural and won t have the potential beauty of a real wood deck you can choose from an array of colors to mimic a more natural look. While wood is the most popular type of decking other materials are catching on with homeowners. Price estimates are per 100 square feet of.

Radius edged cedar pressure treated and composite decking share similarities. The also don t fade in direct sunlight and are completely resistant to. Gaining in popularity are composite decking materials composed primarily of a mix of recycled plastic and wood fibers. It s completely made from plastic.

The classic and still the most popular deck material wood decking is usually pressure treated softwood such as hemlock fir or pine. Vinyl and pvc decking and railing materials. All three choices 5 4 x 6 in. If you opt for natural wood decking materials the price will depend on your desired variety.

The decking dilemma wood deck material options. Non wood alternative materials for outdoor decks patios and porches. Discover which is best for full sun weather durability cost fire resistance and more. Yes there is treatment requirements to maintain the real wood decking avoiding compromising the product you spent extra money on drilling holes it unfortunately makes the product of synthetic less valuable.

Polymer decking contains no wood or other organic materials. Composite decks are made of durable long lasting materials that are stain resistant and will hold up well to harsh weather as well as natural wear and tear for up to 50 years unlike a natural wood deck that can last 10 30 years before needing repair composite won t splinter rot or become susceptible to insect damage. These premium woods typically are not pressure treated but must be finished as does pressure treated. In fact many polymer decks come with a manufacturer lifetime warranty.

This type of decking is largely considered the best option when it comes to using synthetic materials. Expect to pay about 3 75 per square foot for cedar and 8 per square foot for redwood although the. Comparison pros and cons of various deck materials pressure treated wood. More expensive wood decking types include redwood and exotic hardwoods such as teak or ipe.

Best of luck to you. Homeadvisor s deck material option guide compares wood vs.