Types of material you can use for your deck
Types of material you can use for your deck
Wooden decking is reminiscent of the days when we had no filters on our cameras and what you landed up with was just pure, natural beauty shining through.
It can be rewarding to use wood for your deck but it also has its hindrances.
And of course, synthetic decking also has its own gems, like the fact that you don’t have to worry about rain damage and there are infinite options on the market to choose from.
There are many pros and cons to the type of flooring we choose for our decks.
Wood
Wooden decking is aesthetically beautiful and it’s known for its natural beauty. Synthetic material tries to replicate the look but fails to completely do the job.
Rejuvenate wood
Synthetic decking is prone to scratches on it and there is little that can be done. But with wooden decking, you have the option to gloss it back to its natural state. You can apply stain onto the wood, with as many coats as you desire to get it back to its original look.
Long-lasting
Wood has been known to last more than a hundred years and that is an economic benefit.
Wooden decking is beneficial because it’s durable and endures the toughest of storms. And it’s resistant to decay.
Reusable
Wooden decking can be reused when the owners of the house decide that they want to move into a new home. They have the option of taking their wood with them and installing it into their new home.
Health benefits
Being surrounded by wood can actually positively affect your health. Studies show that the warmth that wood provides actually lowers stress, heart rate and blood pressure.
Ways to take care of wood
Always have coasters handy for people using the deck to sit on. Coffee mug rings and glass stains can leave ugly marks that are hard to remove and damage your wood.
Keep away from pressure washing your outdoor wood as it could damage it badly. Use a water repellant in order to stop the water from getting into the wood.
You can protect your wooden decking from furniture damage by placing wooden rugs and mats on the floor.
Synthetic decking
This type of decking material is a combination of plastic and wood fibre. It mixes up the two materials and is easy to install. Whereas hardwood is more complicated to install and takes up more time. It requires no special tools to set in place. And you don’t have to worry about sun rays changing its colour in the long run. With synthetic decking, you don’t have to worry about any splinters or wood breaking.
Variety
With this type of decking, you also have the option of choosing from a variety of colours. Your options aren’t limited to just one selection. Synthetic wood comes in assorted colours, such as yellows, greens and browns.
Green
This material is 95% recycled, so you are doing your bit to save the environment. And it also contains no toxic chemicals.
Low maintenance
Synthetic decking is the easier option because it’s low maintenance, even though it’s not completely invulnerable to oil and grease stains. It’s very easy to clean and take care of.
Longevity
It can last for more than 40 years, which means that you don’t have to worry about changing it every couple of years.
Water Resistant
Synthetic decking is weather resistant.
How to take care of this material
When you clean this type of decking, it’s important to make sure you can use chlorine bleaching. Because if you don’t, it will cause damage to your decking.
And the type of brush you use can have a bad effect on your deck. The more coarse and harsh the bristles, the more scratches there will be, which will ultimately make your decking appear older than it really is. Choose a softer brush with natural or plastic bristles. The softness of these brushes will be more delicate on your deck.
Pressure wash your decking once a year. Just make sure you proceed with caution, pressure washing can cause serious injury to a person or animal. keep your children and dogs or cats inside the house before you take up this task. Ensure that you aren’t wearing clothing that is loose, and you’re wearing long pants, goggles and safety shoes (preferably gum boots). Avoid wearing jewellery as it can get caught while you are pressure washing. And also remove anything that might break, such as vases, pot plants and other decor you might have on your deck. If you don’t have much experience in pressure washing your deck, there are professionals who can provide the service for you.
It doesn’t require you to sand it and polish it over the years. Whereas wood requires extra care. You also don’t have to paint over it, which saves you money.
You need to decide upon the type of material that works for you. There are endless options out in the market today that could leave your deck looking beautiful in no time.