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The materials and finishes that we use on the interior of our
homes require cleaning and occasional maintenance; we dust, we vacuum, we mop-n-glo
to keep them looking good and long lasting. Without too much effort we can stay
ahead of the wear and tear from our kids and our pets.
Materials on the outside, however take a daily beating from
the sun, wind, rain, temperature changes, and other environmental elements (in
addition to kids and dogs). Those materials need a great deal more care and
maintenance but that can be reduced somewhat by selecting the proper materials
to suit your goals.
Outdoor decks are subject to a great deal of abuse - the deck
surface is especially susceptible to sun and rain. Wood is the most popular
surface for decks, but it's also the quickest to wear out. Fortunately there are
a variety of deck surface products available that allow you to choose between
appearance, cost, and the effort needed to keep your deck looking great for many
years.
Natural Wood Decking
Natural wood is the obvious first choice for decking. It's
sturdy, attractive, easy to work with, and it comes in a wide variety of types
with different qualities and costs.
Pressure-treated wood decking is far and away the most popular decking surface
in use today. Most PT lumber is made from Southern Yellow Pine, impregnated with
ACQ, a chemical that increases the wood's resistance to rot and insect damage.
But treated lumber is often poorer quality material so the wood shrinks, cracks,
and splits more easily.
A better choice for "real" wood decks is one of the many woods that have a
natural resistance to rot and insect damage. These woods include Western Red
Cedar, Redwood, and some species of tropical hardwoods. While these better
quality decking materials last longer and look better they also cost more. One
of the very best natural deck surfaces is a group of South American hardwoods
called Ipe ("Ipe" is Portuguese for hardwood). These are extremely dense,
tight-grained woods, dark in color and virtually free from knots. Ipe is very
hard, heavy, and difficult to work with but is also very beautiful and is nearly
indestructible. Expect to pay top dollar for Ipe materials and the labor to
install it.
The use of any type of natural wood decking comes with some negative
environmental impact. When pressure-treated decking is disposed of, the
chemicals used to treat the wood may leach into groundwater; burning it puts
these same chemicals into the air. And while the new ACQ treatment is less toxic
than the previous CCA (which contains arsenic) the long-term effects of the
chemical aren't fully known.
Much of the tropical hardwood used for decking material is plantation-grown, but
some isn't and at the retail level it's nearly impossible to tell the
difference. Most folks don't want their decks built at the expense of an acre of
rainforest.
Wood Composite Decking
Wood Composite decking has become very popular recently due to
its longevity and environmentally friendly characteristics. It's a pretty good
imitation of natural wood in workability and appearance.
Sold under names like Trex, Correctdeck, and Timbertech, composite decking
boards are made from recycled plastic (usually grocery bags or milk jugs) and
ground-up waste wood. It can be cut and attached like real wood and requires
almost no maintenance. Composite decking mimics the look of natural wood but
varies in appearance and performance depending upon the manufacturer and the
ratio of plastic to wood in the mix, usually about 50-60% wood products.
Although composite decking can't be stained or painted like natural wood, many
manufacturers produce boards in several colors. Since the color is throughout
the material, chips and scrapes don't require restaining to maintain a
consistent appearance. And because of the high wood content, the uncolored
composite boards weather to a pleasing silver-gray.
As with any decking surface, the method of securing composite decking to the
framing can improve or reduce the appearance of the deck. Poor installation can
even affect the structural integrity of the boards. Ideally, all decking boards
should be installed with concealed fasteners - more effort and expense, but the
result is a better looking and longer lasting deck.
There are a few other choices in decking - Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP)
for example, but they look much less like "traditional" decking than natural
wood or wood composite. All-plastic and aluminum decking products also require
the use of a large number of end caps, specialized fasteners, and other
proprietary parts and pieces that can detract from the overall appearance of the
deck.
Your choice of decking depends upon the desired appearance, budget, and your
tolerance for the required maintenance of different materials. A good balance of
those characteristics should result in a deck surface that the whole family will
enjoy for many years - kids, dogs, and all.
Richard L. Taylor, AIA is a published author and
recognized expert in Residential Architecture. He is President of Richard Taylor
Architects, a 5-person firm in Historic Dublin, Ohio. Residential Architect -
Luxury Home Plans
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Taylor,_AIA
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