Planning a new deck is an exciting project that requires quite a few decisions. One of the most important decisions you need to make is what type of material you will use for the decking. The two most common options are natural wood and a wood plastic composite material. The following guideline can help you choose if a composite or wood deck is the best option for your project.

Natural Wood Decking Choices

There are a wide variety of wood species available that make excellent choices for a deck project. The most common choices include pressure-treated pine, cedar, or redwood. For more high-end choices, homeowners can also use mahogany or tigerwood, among others.

Composite Wood Decking Options

Composite wood decking made its debut at the end of the 1980s. This building material consists of plastic-encased wood fibers. It is readily available at most major Big Box home improvement stores. It has become a popular choice for builders seeking to avoid some of the issues associated with natural wood building materials.

Composite Vs. Natural Wood Deck – The Pros & Cons

These are just a few factors to consider when choosing the best material for your deck project.

Price

When you are looking at cost, natural wood does have a bit of an advantage over composite wood in the initial purchase price. However, if you begin to factor in the maintenance costs of painting or staining your deck every year, you will find that a composite deck actually ends up costing about the same, if not less. Your choice of wood species can also make a difference in costs, as well as the quality of composite wood you choose for your deck

Maintenance

Natural wood decks require yearly maintenance to extend their life. They require regular sealing, staining, or a coat of paint to protect your wood against damage from moisture. A composite deck needs only a broom and a mop to stay in great shape.

Style

Advances in technology allow composite wood manufacturers to produce unique individual planks that resemble the look of natural wood grain, providing the same style as a natural wood deck.

Ease of Installation

Both natural wood and composite wood materials can be easily cut and fastened without the need for special tools. One advantage of composite wood is that it lends itself to bending, offering you more design options.

Find Help from the Experts

Choosing the right material for your deck project can be challenging, but the experts at CRD Construction can help. CRD Construction is the leading deck contractor in Toledo. For more information on wood vs. composite decking or to set up a consultation for your new deck installation, contact us today or call 419-954-3003 for a free, no obligation quote.