3 Great Deck Material Options

A deck makes entertaining outdoors a lot easier and more fun. If you don’t already have a deck, now is a good time to call deck services in Calgary to have one installed. As the weather cools down, demand for deck services drops as people anticipate spending months indoors during the winter, making this a good time to act.

There is a wide range of materials you can choose to have your new deck made from. Here are a few of the most popular options.

1. Composite Decking

Composite decking is a mix of wood and plastic mixed together and shaped to form planks used to build a deck. There are many different qualities of composite decking, which means that it can vary greatly in price. Composite decking can be one of the least expensive decking materials, with some varieties costing $5 per square foot, and also one of the most expensive at $13 per square foot.

Composite decking is versatile in many ways. It comes in many different colours, some of which approximate the colour of natural wood, while others are specifically intended to differentiate from it. Generally speaking, it is very durable, resistant to scratches, and rarely in need of repair services. It also requires little maintenance.

Composite decking made from recycled materials is a sustainable option. However, not all composite decking material is recycled, so be sure you check with the manufacturer before purchasing if it is important to you to try to reduce your carbon footprint.

2. Cedar Decking

Some people prefer all-natural decking materials to partially synthetic ones. If this is the case, cedar decking may be a good option for you. Cedar looks beautiful when you first install it, and over time it turns a soft grey from weathering. It is resistant to insects and fungal growth because of naturally occurring tannins in the wood, making it a durable, high-quality option.

Before you choose cedar for your deck, there are a few things you need to know. At $9 to $11.50 per square foot, this is one of the more expensive options. It should last for many years but does require regular upkeep. The most important thing to know before buying cedar decking is the difference between sapwood and heartwood. Sapwood is the outer part of the tree trunk and is relatively softer. Heartwood is the wood that comes from the center of the trunk. It is harder and denser, which makes it less vulnerable to environmental forces. Therefore, if you want a cedar deck, be sure that it is made of heartwood.

3. Pressure-Treated Wood

Pressure-treated wood is the most affordable decking material, costing between $3 and $6 per square foot. For this reason, it is also one of the most common. Many different kinds of wood, with the exception of cedar, can be turned into pressure-treated lumber.

Pressure treatment is a way of permeating the lumber with chemicals that make it resistant to insects, moisture, and fungi. This protects it from infestation and rot, but the wood can still crack, warp, or split. It requires frequent power-washing and regular sanding and re-staining to maintain, which can be a lot of work. With the proper care, a deck made of pressure-treated wood can last for many years. While pressure-treated wood offers many benefits, some have raised questions about the environmental friendliness of the chemicals used to treat it.

Call Handyman Connection for Deck Services in Calgary

Regardless of which material you eventually choose, our technicians perform deck installation in Calgary. If you have an existing deck but aren’t ready to replace it, we also provide repair services. Our technicians are experienced and professional, and whether you need deck repair or installation, you can count on them to do the job right while walking you through the process step by step.