Learn How to Know Your Deck Materials  

Western Red Cedar is the deck material of choice noted for its beauty, versatility, and durability.

Beware of some Deck suppliers and deck companies trying to pass off Chinese Fur as Western Red Cedar.  This is how they have lower pricing.  You get what you pay for!  Texas-Construction-Remodeling-Decks only uses high quality Real Western Red Cedar.  The Chinese fur grows rapidly in about seven years and at full maturity is about seven to ten inches around.  The best part of the tree for the highest quality lumber is called the heart the outer areas of the tree is called sapwood.  If the tree is only seven inches thick how much heart do you think is within the tree?  Not very much.  On the other hand, Western Red Cedar grows to be many feet wide and takes 30 to 40 years to grow!

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

What to Know about Pressure Treated Wood Decking

Pressure treated wood is the most common wood decking material because it is less expensive than cedar or redwood and it last for about 15 years, with staining and sealing and regular maintenance even longer.  This economical wooden decking is typically made from pine and is easy to find at your local lumber yard. The chemicals used to treat this wood make it resistant to fungus, decay, rot and termites. The wood can splinter if it is not maintained and checking is common.  It is recommended that stainless steel deck fasteners be used because the chemicals used to treat the wood are highly corrosive. Pressure treated pine has a greenish tinge that goes to a yellow-brown before weathering to gray. This decking can be painted or stained and sealed.

What to know about Cedar and Redwood Decking

Redwood and cedar decking are natural defenders against insects and rot. Sun fades untreated cedar and redwood to a silver gray. To prevent the wood from fading the decking needs to be stained and sealed, or just sealed with a sun blocking sealer. This durable decking should last up to twenty years if it is well cared for.

The picture of the treated pine deck above is beautiful and economic.This deck can be stained and sealed to look very much like cedar! 

Texas-Construction-Remodeling-Decks uses only top quality Real Weatern Cedar.  Beware of  Companies that try to pass off Chinese Fur as cedar!

The pictures above of Architect Knotty and Custom Knotty Cedar Decking are Real Western Red Cedar

Although Cedar is a naturally durable species, leaving it untreated is not recommended because a finish or protective coating will greatly increase its service life. Cedar is free of pitch and with its high degree of dimensional stability, it is the best of the softwoods for accepting paints, stains, oils and other coatings.

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Mahogany and Ipé Decking

Mahogany and Ipé are expensive hardwoods that have a strong resistance to insects and rot. Untreated these dark brown and amber to dark brown woods will also weather to gray. Sealing the wood is recommended to preserve its color and natural beauty. These hardwoods are more difficult to install as pre-drilling is required. These woods are graded according to their strength and appearance.

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Composite Decking

Composite decking is comprised of plastic and wood fibers. Polyethylene plastic and wood fiber deck boards are made up of half wood fibers, like sawdust, and half recycled polyethylene plastic. Polypropylene plastic and wood fiber decking is composed of small particles of wood, almost like a flour and hard plastic. This decking is low decking and slip resistant. Decks with composite decking can even be installed in a rounded or curved pattern, which adds many design possibilities to a deck. Composite deck boards are generally pressed with a pattern or a wood grain and come in a wide range of shades and colors.

There are a great number of manufactures of composite decking that have a number of lines to choose from. These manufactures have made advances in their technology to minimize fading and molding. Talk to a skilled deck contractor that uses composite decking so you will know what to expect from this product. Ameri-deck is one of the composite deck products Texas-Construction-Remodeling-Decks uses because of the quality of the product and it is the only composite decking that has a class A fire rating.

Plastic Lumber

High density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic lumber is made primarily from recycled materials. This wood free product promises not to stain or fade and is waterproof. It is also splinter-free and low maintenance, needing only to be cleaned periodically. The complex fastening systems are best installed by a skilled deck builder. The look and feel of plastic lumber is not like wood. Additionally, plastic lumber decks tend to squeak when they are walked on. This product is substantially more expensive than wood. There are structurally rated plastic lumber products such as joists, posts and beams that are available for deck construction.
Reinforced plastic lumber has plastic mixed with glass fiber.

Vinyl Decking

Vinyl decking is a solid surface decking made from synthetic materials. A professionally installed vinyl deck is waterproof and its membrane system can last for up to 20 years when it is properly cared for.

Choosing a Deck Material

When you are selecting a deck material from your home think about how much maintenance will be required and whether or not that would suit you. Consider which decking would best match your home's design and architecture. Think too about how long the decking will last and how it will look as it weathers. Make sure you buy decking that is ADA approved.

When deciding on a deck color take into consideration what would match or harmonize with the current color scheme for your home's exterior. Keep in mind as well that dark colors can get very hot underfoot and white tends to create a glare. Of course, there are always flip flops and sun glasses.

Framing Materials

Framing material is pretty standard by code.  Pressure treated is required in most cases.  Steel may be used is some rare instances.  Materials like cedar, composites, IPE, Hardwoods, Tigerwoods, are used strictly for decking and hand railing.  Cedar is widely used for the framing of arbors and pergolas and even gazebos.

Deck Repairs

If your need to have some deck repair or deck remodeling done it is best to get the same deck materials that was originally installed on your deck, or something very similar. Texas Construction Remodeling Decks can repair your deck , patio, arbor, gazebo, pergola, patio or porch cover. Our experienced deck experts will do a free deck and deck framing inspection indicating first if the deck is safe, secondly what will be labor and materials will be needed to bring your deck back to life.

Hire Professional Deck Builders

Besides maintenance and the quality of materials, decks must be properly installed for safety and longevity. Our pro deck builders can help you with your new deck project, whether you are replacing an old deck or installing a brand new deck!  Let the professionals build your dream deck, covered patio, or outdoor living space.  Texas Construction-Remodeling-Decks provides peace of mind and results you will enjoy for many years.  Our Expert staff will provide creative deck or patio designs and plans, and our project management team will work to plan and schedule every step of your project smoothly on time.

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