HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-05-06, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010. PAGE 23. home & garden 2010
Choosing the Right Decking
Material
Billed as low-maintenance and
attractive solutions for the yard,
vinyl or composite decks have
become the materials of choice for
more homeowners in recent years.
They’re supposed to last longer and
require less maintenance than wood
counterparts - perfect for
homeowners who would rather
enjoy their outdoor spaces, rather
than spend hours each season
maintaining them.
But how do composite materials
really stack up against wood?
Before you choose your decking
material, consider the pros and cons
of any available options.
Resistance
No decking product is completely
indestructible. Both composite and
wood decks can warp, fade or be
scratched and dinged.
Wood decks may have the
advantage over composite materials
in this arena simply because of their
ability to be refinished. Therefore, if
an area is damaged or faded it can be
repaired. The same options are not
available with composite materials.
Durability
Composite decks, those made of
vinyl, plastic, polypropylene,
polyethylene, or a combination of
plastic and wood pulp would seem
to be more durable than wood decks.
It ’s true that composite products
resist weather-related damage better.
However, a relatively high rate of
expansion and contraction can cause
composite decks to warp and
hardware to loosen. Composite
decks also are not as easy to repair
as wood decks - they must be
replaced. Therefore their longevity
could be compromised by this fact.
Maintenance
Composite decks will require
considerably less seasonal
maintenance than wood decks.
Manufacturers recommend certain
cleaning and tightening of joint
spacing to avoid sagging. However,
certain building codes require
composite decks be built upon wood
structural supports, so a composite
deck could have some wood
material after all.
Wood decks require routine
staining, cleaning, sanding, etc. This
can be time-consuming, which is
why many homeowners seek
options in composite decking.
“Green” Factor
There are supporters and
detractors to both wood and
composite decks in terms of
environmental impact. Wood
decks seemingly are harmful to the
environment because of the
harvesting of wood and
depletion of forests, but forests can
be replanted. Composite decks are
made from plastics, which do
not decompose easily when
disposed of.
Both wood and composite decks
require many chemicals for cleaning
and other maintenance, which can
seep into the ground and leach into
water supplies.
Heat Factor
Homeowners placing a deck
around a swimming pool or in a
sunny location may be concerned
with how hot the building material
will be underfoot.
Wood tends to reflect the sunlight
more readily than composite
materials, particularly if the wood is
light in color. Therefore it could be
more comfortable to walk upon.
Appearance
Many composite materials come
close to looking like wood, but they
may still appear plastic. It ’s hard to
improve upon the timeless and cozy
appearance of wood environmental
landscaping items.
It’s Dirty Work
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Bernard
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Furnaces
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Carman Bernard
519-887-6405
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centralboiler.com or maximheat.com
Wood or other: picking theright material for a deck
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519-357-3889
Free estimates & delivery available
Brussels 519-887-6277
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Visit our Kitchen and Bath Showroom
See us today for...
• Picnic tables • Pressure treated Spruce & Cedar
• Trex Decking • Lattice
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Clinton, Ontario
519-525-0532
519-233-3342
For all your mini digging needs
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We also do:
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