Wood or Composite Decking Material -

Which One is Better?

Thinking about building a new deck? If you are, you might be concerned about what type of material you should actually use. If you want to build one that will last, you need to choose between using a composite material or wood. Each one has benefits, specific cost, and many people prefer one over the other. This article will address the benefits of each, and also their drawbacks, giving you the information you need to make an educated choice as to which one is better for you.

Building a Wood Deck

A deck made of wood costs far less than composite materials. This is due to the manufacturing cost that is associated with making a deck out of composite materials, which could include wood fibre pieces, wood chips or even sawdust that is combined. It may also include plastic materials that are either original or recycled, all of which require quite a bit of effort and technology to manufacture into the shape of wood decking planks. The cost is usually twice as much for composite material, making wood decks, even those that are made of redwood or cedar, much less expensive at the onset. But as the time goes by, the cost will deteriorate unless it is regularly treated. The cost of treatment over a span of a decade can equal to the cost of using composite material.

Building a Deck with Composite Material

On the other hand, you might want to start with a composite material that can cost, as mentioned before, twice as much than wood decking. But it won’t require annual treatment to maintain its integrity. In fact, it may last much longer than a wooden deck. If you do have the money, you might want to consider using this composite material, especially if you intend on treating the deck every year. It will sometimes surpass the life of a regular deck by a decade or more, making this the more affordable choice when looking at the long-term.

When choosing the decking material, consider your personal preference in the deck’s appearance and budget. It may also depend on how much time and effort you want to put into maintaining your deck. However, for those who prefer the use of wood, its appearance, and also its feel and smell, will go with wood decking every time, regardless of how much it costs to treat it, or how long it will last.

Hopefully, this overview of whether or not you should choose wood or composite decking material will allow you to make the best choice.

Ekologix Australia Pty Ltd. Address: Unit 1, 20-26 Sabre Drive, Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3207 Phone: +613 9639 7774 Website: http://ekologix.co.nz/ekodeck/decking/