You deserve to own a home deck which is dependable, naturally durable, and beautiful. Outdoor porches can increase the value of your house if you build them with the right materials. But with the many decking material options, American homeowners often get stuck trying to make the right selection. 

If you are on the lookout for the best wooden deck builder, you should get in touch with Dupont Construction and Remodeling. There, you will get many decking materials, including wood and composite.

You will also get advice on which material is the best fit for you. Here is a quick rundown of the pros and cons of some traditional wooden home porch materials:

Pressure Treated Wood 

This deck material has obtained its name because chemicals preserve it under pressure. This chemical preservation method helps to protect the wood from rot and termite damage. 

The best example of treated pressure wood is yellow pine. The pine tree is mostly used in the treatment process since it can undergo the chemical penetration process quite easily.

Pros 

• It is readily available. 
• It has a cheaper cost when compared to standard hardwood. 
• It is ideal for constructing design decks located in rural areas that are not densely populated. 
• It is durable, and it can’t decay because of exposure to excess moisture. 

Cons 

• You must clean and seal it regularly. If you don’t, your lumber decks will quickly fall apart. Therefore, these decks are not appropriate for homeowners who have a busy schedule and cannot maintain them frequently. 
• It is not entirely stable, so it has a higher probability of splitting, cracking, or warping.
• You cannot install a wooden pressure-treated deck right next to your garden. These decks can encourage leaching, and your vegetables and flowers will lose out from absorbing essential nutrients. 
• It has some toxic substances such as carcinogens and hence not completely eco-friendly. If you burn this treated lumber, it will emit its toxins into the atmosphere. 

Tropical Hardwoods 

The term ‘tropical hardwood’ is commonly used to refer to wood harvested outside North America. As asserted by House Beautiful, this wood is of high quality; and it can form perfect materials for your new decks. 

Pros 

• It is readily available, and you can easily find it at a reputable wooden deck builder. 
• Its appearance is elegant due to its distinct color. 
• It is sturdy and robust, and it can withstand harsh weather conditions.
• It is durable and not susceptible to chipping, stains, or cracks. If you spill food or drink on them, you can easily wipe them off. It can’t rot even if you expose it to the ground. 
• It has a long lifespan, and it can last up to 75 years. 
• It is stable dimensionally, and it won’t contract or expand due to the fluctuation of temperature. 
• It doesn’t have any toxic substances, and it won’t degrade the environment if it gets burned. 

Cons 

• It is heavy and quite cumbersome to carry it around. It takes a lot of time for installation and construction. 
• It is more expensive when compared to pressure treated pine and softwood. For example, the cost of pressure treated timber is half that of the cheapest hardwood. 
• It has low stain acceptance rate. You can choose to maintain its original color since staining it is quite challenging. However, it is not an impossible feat to achieve if you hire the best wooden deck builder. 

Softwood 

You can get softwood from coniferous trees. Some examples include Scandinavian Redwood, Red Cedar, Spruce, Larch, and Douglas Fir. The most popular softwood decking material is red cedar or redwood. 

Pros 

• It is the cheapest among the three traditional wood materials. 
• You can stain it with an attractive and different color.
• It is resistant to voracious insects, decay, and rot. It can withstand harsh weather conditions too. 

Cons 

• It has a short lifespan of around 18 years. Moreover, if you don’t frequently maintain your softwood decks, its lifespan can drastically reduce.
• It cannot withstand heavy traffic, and it can quickly scratch since it is porous.
• It has an average look, and it may not have the luxurious appearance of tropical hardwoods. 

Composite vs. Wood Decking: A Quick Comparison

According to The Spruce, most homeowners and deck builders prefer composite decks to wooden decks. Despite the familiarity of wooden porches, they have several cons, as illustrated above.

Composite decks are quite easy to maintain, but some homeowners may worry that it won’t appear as beautiful as wood. Thanks to manufacturing advances, you can get composites which have the same appearance as wood.

Here are some key issues which you should consider when choosing between wood and composite decks; 

• Appearance. You can get a composite deck which resembles your wood decking material type.
• Moisture. Most wood decks absorb moisture quickly, making them susceptible to rotting, warping, cracking, and splintering. On the other hand, composite decks are moisture resistant. 
• Maintenance. To increase the lifespan of a wooden deck, you must regularly seal and paint or stain it. You will only need to wash or sweep your composite decks when needed.
• Damage by insects. Unlike wood decks, composite decks cannot get damaged by insects such as termites which are fond of wood.  
• Splinters. No matter the lifespan of your wood decking material, it will splinter over time. Composite decks can’t crack, and your pets and children can run on them for ages.
• Price. Wood decks are quite cheap to purchase, but you will have to spend money on maintenance. On the other hand, composite decks may be expensive, but they won’t cost you in upkeep. 

Making Your Selection 

There is no perfect traditional wooden deck building material since all of them have their cons. Composite decks can make up for the disadvantages of wood decks.

At Dupont Construction and Remodeling, we are here to make your ideal deck come to life and last a lifetime. You should call us today or visit our website to request a FREE estimate of your deck structure design. Be sure that you choose your preferred decking material beforehand.