Wood or Composite Decking, like any major home purchase, decking materials vary in looks, durability and cost. You might want to use certain types of lumber or decking for structural parts of your deck project, and other decking timber for surfaces and railings, the part on which you will walk on and see.
 
A deck can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years if made from untreated wood and can last up to 50 years for treated wood or composite materials. Because a deck is a long-term investment and you will be enjoying it too for decades to come, it’s important to understand your choice of materials before start building your project. Both wood and composite materials come in low and high quality, so cost or quality is not the only factor. It’s commonly known that composite materials require less maintenance, hence, their cost is usually higher. But they do require some maintenance, and other factors come into play too.
 
 
Here are the Differences between Composite and Hardwood Decks:
 
Wood Decks

• Many people prefer real wood for their decks because of its natural, warm appearance and it just feels good too. The type of lumber you choose for a wooden deck is critically important to the longevity and level of maintenance of your deck.A common and inexpensive option to go with treated lumber is also called PT which is pressure-treated. PT wood is made of fir soaked in anti-rot and insecticide agents. Its natural color is a somewhat brown-green, but you can stain it for a more attractive color. This is the most inexpensive option for decking because it’s susceptible to warping, splitting and cracking, so it requires regular maintenance. But if you want the natural route, go with a weather-resistant wood such as cedar or redwood. These types of decks have a beautiful look-and-feel and resist warping, cracking or other weather damage. Redwood is usually more expensive than cedar and in general, these types of decks come in at about three times the price of treated lumber.A very expensive hardwood also used for decks is Ipe, which is also naturally resistant to rot but is a harder wood and therefore more durable than either cedar or redwood. Ipe can cost up to four times the price of the cedar/redwood option.

 
Composite Decks

• Gaining in popularity are composite decking materials, composed primarily of a mix of recycled plastic and wood fibers. While a deck built with these materials is clearly not natural and won’t have the potential beauty of a real-wood deck, you can choose from a different lineup of colors to imitate a more natural look.Further, advancements in this type of decking have made its lookandfeel downright attractive, by many accounts.The strongest argument for composite materialsis their low-maintenance requirement like there will be no sanding, refinishing or staining ever.It usually comes with at least a 20-year warranty if not a lifetime guarantee. The downside is as you might expect its cost, which runs approximately twice the price of natural wood decks, depending on the quality and warranty.

 
 
 
Deck Maintenance

• All decks, including composite, require some maintenance. Natural wood decks are the most demanding, requiring annual refinishing, which sometimes means sanding, removal of last year’s finish, and application of a new finish.If you love the look of natural wood and you’re up for the upkeep, it’s worth it.Pressure-treated wood requires refinishing with a clear sealer or stain every other year, just half the maintenance of a natural wood deck.For composite-material decks, no refinishing is required, but the materials can become hosts for mold if they are not cleaned at least every three or four years.

With the information above, we hoped that it helped you which of those two decks should you choose as for your Decking Material. At Nice Backyard We stock Composite Decking, Please feel free to call us for any other questions.?