Deck Board Dilemma: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Popular Options
Are you planning to build or renovate a deck? With so many deck board options available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the various types of deck boards, their pros and cons, and factors to consider. Whether you're a homeowner, contractor, or DIY enthusiast, this article will help you make an informed decision.
A deck is an extension of your living space, providing a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors. It's where you relax, entertain, and create memories with family and friends. Deck boards are the foundation of your deck's structure and aesthetic appeal. With numerous materials, styles, and features to choose from, selecting the right deck boards is crucial.
1. Pressure-Treated Deck Boards
Pros:
Pressure treated decking is amongst the most popular and economical options for deck boards today. It is made from treated softwoods (e.g., pine, spruce) and is treated with chemicals to resist rot, often rated for ground contact, repels insects, and decay - It is the most affordable option and is widely available from many suppliers and manufacturers. This makes it the “go to” option for most builders and homeowners. Because it is a natural product it will eventually loose its colour and turn to a grey colour without proper and continued maintenance.
PROS:
Affordable
Wide availability
Easy to install
CONS:
Prone to warping and splitting
Requires regular maintenance - staining / painting
Contains Wood preservatives containing chromated arsenicals include preservatives containing chromium, copper and arsenic
2. Cedar Deck Boards
Red western cedar is the next best choice for a natural premier decking option. It is a natural, durable softwood, resistant to rot, insects, and decay. It has a much more attractive and rustic rustic appearance than pressure treated boards; of which PT decking has tried to mimic in recent years and regardless if you choose the cheaper “knotty” quality or the more sought after and costly “ clear” quality you are sure to experience the wonderful sweet aroma that cedar has to offer. Cedar has always been a premier natural decking choice over pressure treated lumber; it is important to consider that it will also eventually loose its colour and turn to a grey colour without proper and continued maintenance.
Pros:
Long lasting (up to 20 years)
Natural resistance to rot and insects,
Attractive appearance,
Aromatic scent.
Cons:
Higher cost,
Requires regular sealing,
Can be prone to warping,
Requires more care when working with as the softwood is easy to damage.
3. Hardwood Deck Boards
Hardwood Deck Boards (e.g., Ipe, Teak, Mahogany, Bamboo) are the ultimate choice in natural decking options. They are derived from durable hardwoods which are also resistant to rot, insects, and decay. It has a luxurious appearance and Ipe is one of the strongest woods and falls in the top 10 hardest woods in the world. It is also incredibly dense which makes it durable and long-lasting as a deck flooring material. Its hardness and strength also reduces contraction and expansion that occurs due to weather changes and exposure to moisture.
Pros:
Long lasting (up to 50 years),
low maintenance,
Resistant to rot, insects, and weathering,
Variety of beautiful and exotic colors and textures.
Cons:
Higher upfront cost, expensive,
Very heavy,
Can be much more tedious to work with, difficult to install,
Requires special tools, blades, and special fasteners.
4. Composite Deck Boards (TREX, TIMBERTECH, FIBERON)
Composite deck boards are made from recycled plastics and wood fibres often laminated and pressed together. They offer durability, low maintenance, and eco-friendliness. While still providing natural appearance of it wood counterparts. Composite is offered by many difference manufacturers in, quality, style, colour and installation options. They can come as solid boards with colour matched plugs to hide the fasteners or can have grooved sides to be installed with hidden fastener systems. Composite is a very popular decking choice amongst builders and homeowners and has come a long way with affordability and design choices. In this category, you definitely get what you pay for, often the higher the price point the more natural the boards look.
Pros:
Durable and low maintenance (up to 50 years),
Resistant to rot, insects, and weathering,
Variety of colors and textures.
Cons:
Higher upfront cost,
May become slippery,
Often very heat-sensitive, the darker the colour the hotter the boards,
Can be prone to scratches, damages cannot be easily repaired.
5. PVC Deck Boards (AZEK, TIMBERTECH, FIBERON)
PVC deck boards, made from 100% polyvinyl chloride, high performance and recycled polymers that provide a waterproof, and low-maintenance decking option. They are super durable, lightweight often fade and stain resistant. They come in a variety of difference colours and styles, that are super easy to clean and maintain. Often they come with long lasting manufacturer warranties and can be a great eco friendly option due to their use of recycled materials for the environmentally friendly consumer.
Pros:
Durable (up to 50 years),
Waterproof and resistant to rot,
Low maintenance,
Easy to clean,
Don’t retain heat like other types of decking.
Cons:
Higher upfront cost,
Specialized, qualified install and fastening systems,
May become brittle in cold temperatures,
Limited color options.
6. High Density Polyethylene / Synthetic Deck Boards (OC WEARDECK)
WearDeck is weatherproof, waterproof, and heat-reflective. The boards are made of HDPE reinforced with fiberglass resin and a proprietary blend of additives including pigments, UV inhibitors, and AO stabilizers. WearDeck structural HDPE decking comes in nine different colors and profiles for marine, residential, commercial, and municipal applications. WearDeck comes with a limited lifetime warranty that guarantees residential projects for life and commercial projects for 25 years.
WearDeck’s splinter-free, heat-reflective decking provides permanent static protection and an embossed woodgrain surface for excellent slip-resistance. Weardeck also manufactures and supplies nominal colour matched lumber with the same properties listed above, and is much stronger than traditional lumber so you can build your entire deck from the same material.
Pros:
Durable (up to 50 years),
Waterproof and will not rot, can be buried right in the ground,
Low maintenance,
Easy to clean,
Don’t retain heat like other types of decking.
Cons:
Higher upfront cost,
Specialized, qualified install and fastening systems,
Limited color options.
Consider the following factors when choosing deck boards:
Budget: Pressure-treated and cedar boards are often more affordable, while composite and PVC boards require a larger upfront investment.
Maintenance: Composite and PVC boards are low maintenance, while pressure-treated and cedar boards require regular upkeep.
Durability: Composite and PVC boards are more durable, while pressure-treated and cedar boards may require more frequent replacement.
Aesthetics: Cedar boards offer a natural, rustic appearance, while composite and PVC boards provide a more modern look.
Sustainability: Opt for eco-friendly materials when possible.
Local building codes and regulations: Ensure compliance with local regulations.