Featured Deck Articles:

Deck Materials: Which decking material would you pick if you were picking decking material? Maintenance is a big factor to consider when it comes to selecting a material for your new deck. Over 80 percent of single family homes have a deck. Most of these decks are made from pressure treated wood or pine. There are, however, other materials available to build your deck with. In terms of real wood decking there are cedar, Brazilian Ipé, mahogany and redwood. Additionally, there are non-wood decking materials such as composite decking, plastic lumber, vinyl and aluminum.

Pressure treated wood is the most common wood decking material because it is cheapest and it last for about 15 years. This economical wooden decking is typically made from pine and is easy to find at your local lumber yard. The chemicals used to treat this wood makes it resistant to fungus, decay, rot and termites. The wood can splinter if it is not maintained. It is recommended that stainless steel deck fasteners be used because the chemicals used to treat the wood are highly corrosive. Because this treated wood contains such toxic chemicals, contractors should use gloves and a mask when they are cutting and installing this material and the remnants should never be burned. Pressure treated pine has a greenish tinge that goes to a yellow-brown before weathering to gray. This decking can be painted or stained and sealed.

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Spectacular Dream Decks: What makes a deck spectacular? One common element with all stunning decks is that they are customized to suit the architectural style of the home. It should add to the home's aesthetics and not look like an "add-on" or an afterthought.

Many homeowners prefer low-maintenance decks because they don't want to have to stain their deck every year. There are various products that can be used, including composite decking material, vinyl, fiberglass and plastic lumber. Cedar can be a low-maintenance deck if you choose to let it silver (left natural and allowed to age) instead of staining it. Among the composite decking there are several quality products on the market that offer different benefits and features to suit numerous homeowner preferences.

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