Decking Decisions


Comfort, elegance and outdoor living space make a deck one of the best home improvement investments you can make. According to the annual Remodeling magazine "Cost vs. Value Report," you'll get back nearly 75 percent of what you pay for a deck if you sell your home within the first year after the deck is built. While pressure-treated "green" Southern yellow pine still goes into 80 percent of all decks, there are several alternatives to this material. Below is a summary of common decking materials and some pros and cons of each.  

Pressure-Treated Wood

Advantages: Economical and plentiful, pressure-treated wood lasts around 15 years when properly treated with a water repellent every two years.

Disadvantages: The dominant PT species, Southern yellow pine, checks and splinters as it dries. Left untreated, some PT turns muddy gray. In addition, PT preservative chemical residue may cause health problems.

Availability: PT is widely available at lumberyards and home centers.

Redwood and Cedar

Advantages: Redwood and cedar heartwood has glowing color, handsome straight grains and natural resistance to rot and insects. Boards are easy to cut and can be left untreated to weather naturally. Life span is approximately 20 years.

Disadvantages: Both options are expensive. Redwood sapwood - the newer wood closer to the bark - rots when exposed for sustained periods to moisture. Cedar sapwood breaks down quickly in moist conditions.

Availability: Redwood and cedar are sold in all standard dimensions. Cedar deck boards are easier to find while redwood can take a few days for special orders.

Tropical Hardwood

Advantages: Now widely available, ipe (E-pay) is a durable teak-like tropical hardwood sold as Ironwood or Pau Lope (pow LOW-pay). Twice as strong as oak, ipe is more durable than redwood and cedar. It has a life expectancy of 40 years, and is resistant to insects and decay. Ironwood is backed by a 25-year transferable warranty, while Pau Lope comes with a 20-year limited warranty. All grades are virtually knot-free, and tight grain patterns make this wood impervious to water.

Disadvantages: Tropical hardwood decking is expensive and requires predrilling for fasteners.

Availability: Ipe is available in most standard dimensions, but delivery can take up to three weeks as this product must be special ordered.

Plastic-Wood Composites

Advantages: Virtually indestructible, plastic-wood composites blend 30 to 50 percent recycled plastic with wood fibers for skid resistance and stainability. Composite lumber is low-maintenance, and resists rot, insects and UV rays. It's also splinter-free and easy to work with. Deck screws sink in and disappear. Trex, TimberTech and DuraWood EX come with 10-year warranties, while ChoiceDek and DuraWood PE are backed for 20 years.

Disadvantages: Some composite lumber has a plastic appearance, and some colors fade over time. During construction, sawdust and shavings must be collected in a drop cloth because they aren't biodegradable. What's more, not all composite lumber can span traditional 16- or 24-in. joist spacing; narrower joist layout may be needed, boosting cost. Some building codes don't allow composite lumber; a knowledgeable contractor will be able to tell you if composite lumber is allowed in your jurisdiction.  

Availability: Trex is approved by most building codes, and is sold in most standard dimensions.

Vinyl Deck Systems

Advantages: When properly installed by a contractor, vinyl deck systems typically include deck boards, rails, spindles and fascia. They create a low-maintenance deck that needs no sealers or finishes and is free of splinters and cracks. Planks have good spanning ability and resist UV rays if treated at the factory. Fasteners can be completely hidden once planks are installed. The three major manufacturers of vinyl deck systems—Kroy, DreamDeck and EZ Deck—offer limited lifetime warranties.

Disadvantages: These systems are relatively expensive. Vinyl can fade and get brittle with age unless specially treated at the factory, and all vinyl eventually loses its gloss. Sawdust isn't biodegradable, so it must be collected in a drop cloth.

Availability: Vinyl deck systems must be ordered through distributors.

If you are considering installing a new deck, call Kruse Home Improvement to discuss your options at (860) 877-0775.


 

 

KHI in the Community

In April Shawn Kruse of Kruse Home Improvement volunteered his time to help construct four raised garden beds at West Hartford's Duffy Elementary School. The garden beds are used as educational tools for the students during the growing season. Currently, Shawn is working to complete the project by installing a semi-circular bench in the courtyard which will hold up to 25 students for outdoor learning activities. "I think it's a good cause and probably a good investment of my time," Kruse said, "I was happy to do it."

Original Article written by Jennifer Senofonte of the West Hartford Press.

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