Choosing Between Wood and Aluminum Decking Material

Wood decking has a long standing reputation for being low maintenance and durable, while still providing an attractive appearance. While this is certainly true, there are several ways that it can be maintained to improve the appearance without costing an arm and a leg. The best way to do this is to follow the recommendations of your decking manufacturer or installer, but also consider your own preferences. Wood decking can be stained to give it a different color or painted to match your overall home decor. Many people choose to paint their wood decking, if they like the appearance of the natural wood, but stain can also be applied to give it a different color and appearance. Both options can be a great way to customize your decking and create the look you want without spending an exorbitant amount of money on professional deck repair.  You can view here if you are planning to build a deck but you don't know which one is the best.

While there are some major advantages to using wood as decking material, there are also some less expensive options available. One of these lesser-known alternatives to wood decking is plastic decking. The advantage decking over wood is that it is usually much cheaper than wood, even when purchased in large quantities. This is often enough of an incentive to make opting for plastic over wood decking a top priority.  Discover what is ip wood on this article.

Plastic decking has the same benefits of any other type of decking, especially in terms of durability. It is relatively easy to maintain, can be sanded to any degree, and is resistant to most types of rot and decay. The only downside to using plastic decking is that it does not offer the natural look of wood. With the grain of natural wood, chips and splinters will have a tendency to occur less often with plastic decking, and there may be seams where two pieces of plastic meet. Another con of plastic decking is that the color is somewhat washed out over time. While this disadvantage is not usually an issue, it is something to keep in mind.

Pressure treated wood decking has a somewhat more appealing appearance than its non-pressure treated counterpart. However, it is still relatively inexpensive and easily maintained. It also does not appear as washed out or painted as some of the other decking options do. For those who are interested in an attractive finish but do not want to pay the more expensive price tag, pressure treated wood could be the answer.

A quick test to see whether or not pressure treated wood decking will suit your home is to ask yourself whether you think pine looks more natural? If you answer no, then pressure-treated wood may be the right choice. Pressure-treated wood does not have the vibrant color of other woods, but many homeowners find that they like the natural color so much that they choose it for their decks anyways. This option may also be more durable than some other options.

The final option for homeowners seeking to improve their homes' appearance is aluminum decking material. Aluminum decking is less expensive than some wood options, but it is also less expensive than most plastic decking materials. Because of its durability and strength, it is often used in commercial settings, not just for decks. As with any metal options, there are downsides to using aluminum decking material, including a tendency to splinter. Explore more on this subject here:  https://www.ehow.com/how_12218368_install-veranda-decking.html.