Alternative Decking Material for Designing Your Deck
Saturday, November 2, 2019, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
Enjoying the summer with your family or partying with your friends, your deck is an essential component of your celebrations and relaxation.
In the past few years the market of decking material has exploded with a vast range of variety.
The factors that are considered for the selection of decking material are lifestyle, home theme, longevity, safety, maintenance and budget.
Although, classic pure wood decks look great but there are other timber decking alternatives which provide you more economic and sturdy solutions.
Majority of the timber decking alternatives are composites. These are hybrid materials created by combining wood and other materials like plastic.
Here are some trendy alternatives for decking.
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Bamboo decking
Bamboo is taking the world of construction by storm. It is a strong material that can withstand difficult weather conditions. Its natural beauty is undeniable and can be sustained with proper care. It is used for decking in two ways, woven and non-woven fibers. Woven fiber decking is stronger as compared to non-woven. Bamboos are strong, lightweight, and do not expand or contract over time. The downside is that they fades with time and are not suitable for flooding or marshy areas.
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PVC decking
PVC decking system is an inexpensive and easy to install alternative. Both tiles and planks are available which provide a water proof finish. This is a highly durable and robust decking alternative. You are benefitted by its UV resistance, shock absorption, and scratch resistance properties. This resilient decking feels good under the foot and can be installed existing decking. It is a bit pricy and is not biodegradable. You can also experience fading over time.
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PVC decking with composite co-extruded
PVC composite is preferred for its reclaimed wood fiber. It is an economical alternative which is a co-extruded product. The core plank is made of an inexpensive wood and plastic and is covered with a PVC skin outside. The outer skin protects the plank and gives a real PVC or plastic appearance. It is highly resistance to stain and moisture. A finer overall appearance is achieved by installing with concealed fastener.
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Virgin plastic composite decking
This composite decking material is made of virgin plastic which is not considered eco-friendly. These can be recycled only slightly but are made from reclaimed wood fibers. You can install them with concealed fasteners. However, some virgin plastic composites need surface fastening. This may need some pre-drilling and counter-skinning. This would pierce the decking and would be visible from the outside.
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Recycled plastic composite decking
This is the most natural looking composite decking material. The material is made by reclaimed plastic and wood fibers. It can be completely recycled. Most of the factories recycle their own waste and use it in making other composite products. This decking is often manufactured in hollow profiles which make it highly cost effective. It is a bit difficult to maintain. It easy gets stained by oil which cannot be cleaned easily. The moisture resistance is determined by the mixture of plastic and wood.
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Acetylated wood
Acetylated wood is the ideal option for those who like the composite decking appearance but are cautious about the demand for timber. Acetylation treatment modifies the wood’s chemical structure and makes it more stable and resistance to the temperature and humidity changes. It also becomes strong to withstand cracking and decay and is preferred for exteriors for that reason.
