What Sets Vinyl Decking Apart?

The first thing that many consumers notice about vinyl decking is the price. It can be significantly higher than other materials, such as wood. This can be an immediate reason to look elsewhere for most consumers, and in fact, this is because wood is both the cheapest and most common decking material. The consumers that the price doesn't deter can have trouble with the way that vinyl decking can expand or even soften in the sun. Placing the decking in a shady location can compensate for this, and it can even make the deck more enjoyable for everyone.

With these drawbacks, it can be wondered why someone would use vinyl decking. It would have to have some very important benefits to entice the people that do purchase and use it. For many, the chief quality to influence this choice is the lack of maintenance needed to keep it looking nice. As the color is actually molded into the vinyl decking, it never requires reapplication, and for these people, the savings over time with not having to re-treat the deck season to season can offset the initial cost of the material.

Another plus can be its resistance to harsh environments, since vinyl can easily withstand the elements and even the chemicals that can be found in pools. It also can be molded into a wide range of non-slip surfaces that make it even more apt to pool side use. The resistance also protects it in harsh natural environments, such as extreme cold or for the hazards of dock surfaces. In these cases, it can be that the thing that works best overall is vinyl decking.

This is only a basic framework of the benefits and drawbacks of vinyl decking, and each situation is very different. This makes it important that you consider a wide range of options to find the one that will best suit the environment and situation you are dealing with.

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The new technology involved in the outdoor living trend is the materials used in building, decorating, and maintaining a deck. The basic building materials include decking of all kinds: waterproof, backyard, garden, pool, and roof decking.

Did You Say Roof?

When there is no "outdoor" to accommodate the desire for outdoor living, some look to the roof. A home in the city, for instance, may have no yard or a yard too small for a really spectacular deck but have the required flat roof on the house or garage. A deck on the roof can have all of the qualities of a great backyard deck but has a few special requirements.

First and foremost, a roof is a roof, so a deck covering a roof has to take into consideration the needs of the structure below it. A roof protects that structure from the elements so the roof decking has to help keep the roof waterproof. Waterproof materials are, of course, basic to all decks, but roof decking has to consider the roof's runoff system. Even a flat roof needs a slight incline for rain runoff. The deck can be built along an incline or on pads to even the roof decking out while leaving some drainage to allow precipitation to run through to the roof for drainage.

The planning of a roof deck must take into consideration the weight that the roof was built to hold safely. Reinforcement of the structure may be needed, but lightweight roof decking is always a good idea, too. That's part of the technology aspect. Plastic and vinyl materials can mimic the look of wood, stone, tile or any other substance with a fraction of the weight, while being almost indestructible. Most lines of roof decking have matching railings, seating, and planters to complete the deck of your dreams. It should also be UV protected to prevent fading and degrading in the sunlight.

Besides the roof decking, modern technology offers outdoor fabrics, lighting, bars, grills, tableware, and furniture that rivals the finest indoor trends. While many outdoor decks are candidates for the do-it-yourself crowd, a roof decking project might benefit from a consultation with a contractor.

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Cost

A basic deck is not very expensive to start with. If you are looking for just an area attached to your house to give it a little extra room and a better design, you are looking at minimal costs for materials, and probably about as much cost in labor as the actual deck itself. The fancier you want your deck, the more you are going to have to pay for it, as with anything in life. Before you decide that you want to go more cost effective and just throw up a basic deck with a basic decking plan, be aware that most states require a building permit for a deck to be added onto a house.

A good resource on figuring out costs and checking out design ideas is www.deckplans.com, where you will find an assortment of frequently asked questions, links to permit resources, and even some free deck plan designs with cost calculators. These designs are based on the floating deck design that allows for greater flexibility in usage once your new decking plan has been chosen.

Materials

Decking materials are very important when choosing your decking plan, as the material will decide what you can and cannot do with your deck once it is completed. Also, the design itself depends on the materials you use. For example, if you are going to be using 5/4 inch and composite decking material, they need to be supported on 16 inch centers, while the 2×6 decking material can span up to 30 inch centers. The hardware that will be used also differs based on the material you choose to build your deck with.

Design Elements

Your decking plan should include all the elements you want before you start construction, this includes all stair and ramp plans and any aesthetic design touches you want to incorporate. The types of decking you choose, whether they are natural wood or composite decking, will change the design elements you want to use during the designing phase. Keep in mind all the little touches will make your decking plan unique and, in the end, it will be your deck, whether you do the actual construction or not.

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Anyone who has ever owned wood decking knows how much maintenance it can need. Constantly having to paint and waterproof a wooden deck can get very old, not to mention the fact that wood can become warped over time and needs to be replaced. The makers of composite wood decking say that you no longer have to go through all this work to make your deck looking nice.

Recycled Materials

Composite wood decking is made from recycled materials, such as wood and sawdust, and is combined with some sort of plastic, such as polyethylene or PVC. The result is a new form of decking that is resistant to insects or rotting. Composite wood decking never needs to be sanded, stained, or waterproofed, and the best part is that most composite wood decking companies offer long term warranties, some for as long as ten years. No longer do you have to spend money on paint and other materials to make your decking look presentable. Composite wood decking offers the aesthetically pleasing benefit of decking without the necessity of costly and timely maintenance.

Work in Progress

It should be noted that even the manufacturers of composite wood decks say that their product is not yet perfect. The biggest issue for composite wood decking seems to be that they are susceptible to staining. For this reason, most composite wood decks come with detailed cleaning instructions; and in addition, it is common for decks to fade over a long period of time. That is why most composite wood decking manufacturers don't offer their decking in deep colors.

The reasons for these flaws seem to be caused by tannic acid found in the recycled materials. Some woods contain a lot of tannic acid, while others don't contain as much. For this reason, most composite wood decking manufacturers are tweaking the ingredients and chemicals they use to make their products. They hope that, with time and experimentation, they can alleviate some of these flaws and make a product that is better than traditional wood for all your decking needs.

It should be noted that composite wood is not as strong as traditional wood. That is why composite wood decks are still dependent on wood to keep it structurally sound. Composite wood can sag or droop without the use of wood to hold it up.

Composite wood decks are a great alternative to traditional wooden decks, however, it still has its issues. But if you want a deck that you don't have to spend a lot of time and energy maintaining it, then composite wood decking is for you.

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Wood Waterproof Decking

Wood is one of those natural, and therefore biodegradable, materials. Although some treated wood products can survive contact with the soil for years, it's better if concrete or other durable material is used for the foundation of the deck. Wood should be treated to protect it from insect and sun damage and then sealed to provide a waterproof decking surface. Water sealer should be reapplied about every three years.

To restore an existing wood deck, make sure that all molds, moss, and other natural vegetable matter is removed from direct contact with the wood surface. Full strength bleach or a treatment product containing bleach should be used before applying treatment and water sealer. If you have containers for growing flowers and herbs on your wood deck, check for wood rot around the drainage areas.

Waterproof Decking Materials

You may want to build your deck out of waterproof decking materials from the start. Decorative concrete, stone, plastics, aluminum, and vinyl products are all attractive and waterproof.

Modern decking materials are available in a wide choice of textures and colors. Polyethylene, for instance, comes in many colors and can resemble wood. Just remember to look for a textured, slip-resistant surface, and choose one with UV protection to prevent fading from the sun and plastic degradation. Once your waterproof decking is protected from the number one destroyer of decks, you should be prepared to do battle against number two.

Besides being durable, today's waterproof decking is easily found in home improvement stores stocked with the necessary hardware, accessories, and matching railings. Remember to ask for the instructions that are specific to your chosen waterproof decking material so that you will be aware of any special safety or construction issues. And be sure that you are familiar with your zoning and building codes before you begin a deck project. Nature isn't the only danger to decks.

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How to Use Composite Decking

Composite decking responds to similar procedures as wood itself. It is designed to be cut with a saw, nailed, or screwed in place like wood as well. Yet for all its similarities it can surprise you with its subtle differences.

The primary difference is in planning to use it; composite decking uses preformed molding that completely formed trims, so that you don't have to miter the joints to build the base trims for the posts and so forth. This means that when you are planning on it, it is important to consider all these joints and just how you want to use them. Then you can purchase the right pieces up front.

The other differences come on the other end of the construction process. Composite decking doesn't have to be painted as it will assume a pleasant grey tone as it weathers. If you don't care for that, then it takes to paint as well, although some priming may help create a smoother texture. It is important to remember that if it is painted, the paint will still have to be maintained.

It can also take much less maintenance than wood. Wood should really be treated at least once a season, but composite decking can rely on the strength of its base to resist weather better. This can help offset the costs of the decking and help make the choice an easier one. This trait can also help with the environmental claims, as many fewer chemicals are sprayed into your personal environment.

There are many reasons that can lure you to use composite decking and possibly offset its higher cost. Environmentally, it can be more responsible than wood and yet remain easier to work with than some of the other decking options out there. It boils down to whether the environmental concerns and lower maintenance make it more appealing to you.

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DIY Network

Any "do-it-yourselfer" knows the DIY Network, located at http://www.diynetwork.com, has almost all the resources you could ever need for any DIY project. Their deck section includes "Design and Construction, Upgrades, Preserve, Protect, Revive, More outdoors Projects and Cleaning Tips, and How-To" sections. It takes a few clicks to get to what you are looking for, but the site is laid out nicely with pictures and printer friendly versions of the instructions (not that you need them or anything). Also, they have a section at the end of each article that has links to other resources, such as finding your nearest Home Depot store and books on the subject you are viewing. All-in-all, this site is a very good resource for DIY decking.

Home Depot

The Home Depot website, http://www.homedepot.com, has some useful information on DIY decking as well. Mostly the information you will find on the Home Depot's website is name brands to work with, including help in choosing accessories and materials to get the perfect look. Step-by-step instructions are not available on this website, but they offer more links to other resources that might be helpful if you want to spend a few dollars.

One main feature The Home Depot offers is professional installation for almost all of its items, decks included. So if you start looking at the information and decide you want someone else to do all the work, you can get that set up through them, although that kind of defeats the DIY decking part of this article.

What to Do

A quick web search will show many resources for DIY decking, the way to go about it may very, but I will suggest one way in particular that seems to make sense. First, figure out exactly what you want. Check out the wood and non-wood options, the stains and accessories, the average cost of materials, and the amount of time it will take. Then get some quotes on what it would cost to have a professional put it in, and make sure they are licensed contractors while you are at it. The last thing you want is to fall through your deck while enjoying a sunset.

And last, but not least, make sure this DIY decking is a project you are prepared to devote some time to. It is hard work and back breaking labor, but as a "do-it-yourselfer" you are probably prepared for that already.

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Unfortunately, most redwood comes from the old-growth redwood forests in California. This is a renewable resource, but we are using our forest products faster than they are growing, so it is not infinitely renewable.

Why Do We Love Redwood Decking?

The very characteristics that make redwood trees live for hundreds and hundreds of years are the characteristics that make redwood decking a favorite choice. It is naturally fire resistant, naturally resistant to insects and to rot, and the wood is easy to work with and doesn't warp. It's durable and beautiful, whether sealed to protect the rosy color or allowed to weather to a silvery color.

Environmentally Sound Redwood Decking

There are two ways to have your cake and eat it, too. Two ways to have a beautiful redwood deck without depleting old-growth forests.

FCS (Forest Council Stewardship) Certified redwood decking has been grown and harvested according to specific environmental standards. FSC supports forest management that is environmentally friendly, while still harvesting and using forest products sensibly. FCS products are certified in growing and processing, and you can trace an FSC product's life backward to the land it was grown on.

The other way to have a redwood deck without depleting forest reserves is to use reclaimed redwood decking. When wood is reclaimed, structures that are scheduled to be torn down are salvaged instead. All metal is removed from the wood, and it is re-milled and re-planed.

Because redwood decking is naturally resistant to rot and insects, it does not need to be chemically preserved. Chemical preservatives in wood can leach into the ground and may be dangerous, especially for children and small animals. That makes certified or reclaimed redwood an environmentally friendly wood to use in building a deck.

The cost of redwood decking has risen in recent years and the quality has gone down because of forest depletion. More knots and holes are allowed in premium grade redwood than before because smaller trees are being harvested. Redwood decking is still available, and it is still a good choice for an outdoor deck, but there are many new materials available that look astonishingly like redwood decking, but are less costly and have many advantages over redwood.

Whether you choose real redwood decking, or a synthetic version, you'll love your redwood deck.

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What You Need to Know When Working with Cedar Decking

Cedar is a wood that is naturally resistant to decay and insect damage, and no further chemical treatment is needed unless the lumber is in direct contact with the ground. When compared to the other available woods, cedar is prime because it does not swell or shrink as much as the other woods, lies flat, stays straight, retains fasteners, and provides a firm base for paints and stains. Added onto this is its physical beauty; cedar has a rich grain, texture, and color that compliments any architectural style.

Cedar is considered as being the friendliest wood you can work with because of the fact that it is ultra-lightweight, making transporting and handling a snap, and its soft texture and straight grain allow for quick and clean sawing and shaping. Also, cedar is produced and available in an array of shapes and sizes, and some pre-cut items in cedar decking include the following: fencing, lattice, balustrades, and decorative accessories.

Your cedar decking can be left unfinished if you desire a rustic weathered look, or use a quality finish to enhance both its look and its natural durability. Cedar decking responds excellently to such materials as oil-based stains and paints, and you should remember to look for a coating that offers good mildicide and ultraviolet shielding properties, as well as additional preservatives in order to protect your project's youthful complexion.

Regardless of what type of wood you decide to go with in the end, learning and acknowledging yourself on the various kinds available – along with the positive and negative factors with each one – will help you enormously in the finding of the appropriate wood not only for the project but for your personal preference as well. Cedar is a long-lasting, dependable, reliable, and beautiful wood, and should be made as one of the top choices for a project such as decking.

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Non-wood Porch Decking

Xccent is a company who manufactures SteelDeck Decking, DryDeck Decking, and SteelDeck Framing. This company has innovative ideas in how to do porch decking, including its DryDeck, which is like a truck liner for your truck bed allowing the water to coalesce in the grooves and run off the sides. The concept of using the space under the deck is one that has not been recognized fully, whereas this solution tackles that situation. With a standard deck, you have spaces in the wood to allow for water drainage. This solution eliminates the need to have useless space underneath your porch with its watertight design allowing for more use from you under deck area.

Companies such as GeoDeck offer porch decking in composite format. Composite decking is usually made up of wood and some sort of plastic or polymer that will allow the material to weather better and does not require as much maintenance as a regular wood deck. GeoDeck boasts an almost $1,500 savings in a ten years cost of a deck. On top of the costs and maintenance fees, this solution gives you the chance to have a wood deck without the cracking and warping that comes with most wood decks.

Another alternative to wood porch decking is vinyl decking offered by companies such as Thermal Industries Inc. This company has pictures of actual vinyl decks on their website so you can see what they look like in action. Also, they have a list of features that are offered with vinyl decking including "Barefoot Friendly Vinyl Decking Surface" and "Completely Recyclable" for all of you environment friendly folks.

Wood Porch Decking

Cedar is the most popular choice when using wood for porch decking because of its natural suitability to the ravages of the great outdoors in all seasons. Cedar decking also features an attractive color and texture that can be left to "weather" naturally, or it can readily accept a stain in a color of your choosing. The main concern when choosing all natural wood is the fact that you are taking away trees from the environment, along with the cost of maintenance and installation, of course. If you are going to choose all natural wood, please make sure to buy from a vendor who has a program for replanting.

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