When it comes to home improvements, most homeowners have a tendency to focus their efforts on high-profile areas of the house such as the kitchen and bathrooms. While nothing is wrong with concentrating on these aspects of home maintenance, there’s also a lot to be gained by making exterior improvements to the home. In fact, one of the most desirable elements of outdoor remodeling tends to come in the form of deck installation.
There’s nothing like a nice, spacious deck to make outdoor dining and entertaining more feasible and enjoyable. Depending on the property in question, an elevated deck can serve as a nice overlook for luscious landscaping and scenery. Decks are comfortable and inviting, and they can be extremely instrumental in helping define a home’s exterior space. Those who can afford the option of deck installation therefore tend to jump at the chance, especially in areas whose climates allow for outdoor living year round.
When it comes to decking materials, wood, for many years, was generally the option of choice. These days, however, homeowners have the option of usng composite materials for their decks as well, thereby causing many to rethink the notion that wood is truly the best way to go. Mario Rappa is the proud owner of A-Z Nassau Construction Corp., a family-owned general contracting company that has been serving Long Island and the five boroughs of New York City since 1999, and according to him, wood is one of those materials that comes with its share of pros and cons.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of wood is the fact it happens to be so incredibly pleasing to the eye. The appeal of wood seems to be pretty much universal among homeowners throughout the country, though those with rustic houses are especially likely to embrace wood for its visual satisfaction. Another benefit of wood as a decking material is that it is far cheaper than composite alternatives. Those operating with limited budgets can normally count on natural wood for its relatively affordable price tag.
On the other hand, wood does come a couple of serious drawbacks. Wood requires a lot of maintenance, so anyone interested in having a wood deck installed needs to seriously think about committing to multiple years of staining, sealing, and general upkeep. The other major problem with wood is that it is not as durable as those long-lasting composite products. The presence of moisture can cause wood to rot and degrade over time, and prolonged sun exposure can cause wood to expand and contract, thereby putting a deck at risk for structural damage.
Of course, when it comes to choosing a decking material, there are numerous options within the wood family. Pressure-treated wood, for example, is easier to maintain than regular wood, and it is far more resistant to long-term wear and tear. On the other hand, it is also more costly than regular wood, thereby eliminating one key benefit. From an aesthetic perspective, certain exotic woods such as aged cedar can provide any home with a distinctive yet warm look. While cedar might have a lot to offer on the visual front, it is also far more likely to corrode than wood that is pressure-treated.
After all is said and done, there are plenty of good reasons to choose wood for a decking material, but it is also easy to see why so many might prefer a composite alternative. If you’re torn between the two choices, then ask yourself if you’re really willing and able to perform the necessary maintenance to keep a wooden deck in good shape. If the answer is “no,” then there’s little sense in spending your hard-earned money on a wooden deck that is only going to rot if neglected. On the other hand, if you’re up for the challenge, then a wooden deck can truly make a wonderful and cost-effective addition to the outdoor area of your home.
