Cheaper Alternatives To Decking

Any wood you’re planning to build with should have a certification from the Forest Stewardship Council, especially hardwoods. On face value, a patio is always going to be cheaper than decking. It’s cheaper to lay concrete slabs than it is to set up complex wooden pieces. What’s more, a patio is, on the whole, likely to be a lot cheaper to maintain.

• Wood may be a natural material that is known for staying cooler during even the warmest weather, but composite decking is truly a contractor’s and homeowner’s dream.
• Order samples of DuraLife composite decking to see all these benefits and more for yourself, and then get ready to build the perfect deck for your home.
• It’s a viable option that many homeowners opt for these days for good reason.
• It’s easy to install, low maintenance, and can last for years.
• Although the installation price for a composite is definitely going to be more than wood, the actual cost over time is a good deal closer.

Wood Decks Vs Composite Decks

The pulp inside the bamboo has been harvested to make even pillows and quilt batting due to the incredibly soft nature, even more so than cotton. There are two distinct types of bamboo decking, woven fibers and non woven fibers. The natural beauty of bamboo is undeniable, and in many climates can provide a lasting deck if maintained properly. With any wood style deck, it is going to take work to keep it at its best. Bamboo is no exception, and will need sealed and stained or pigmented. It will fade over time, so slapping on a coat of sealant in its natural state is not recommended. Additionally, areas that see a lot of rain or flooding, puddling, or marshy lands will not benefit from bamboo.

Now, Lets Talk About Composite Decking:

Woven types of bamboo is much more resistant to this problem, but still not waterproof. In standard moist areas and hot climates bamboo will serve you well. However, it is in fact a thing, and many homeowners find this type of decking best suits their needs. It also is easy to install, which makes it a great candidate for DIY projects.

The price differential also depends on the wood species chosen versus the brand of composite decking, and local market conditions. Many homeowners choose wood decking because it is familiar, readily available and affordable. At the same time, wood decking problems like splinters, rot and high maintenance cause many headaches. Although composite wood decking is easier to maintain, some homeowners worry that composites won’t look as nice as wood.

Decks Vs Patios: Which Option Is Cheaper?

Composite decking material is softer than natural wood and therefore can be “etched” more easily. On top of this, we also donate 10% of all profits to the Rainforest Trust UK to help become a carbon negative business. Finally, there’s the hidden cost of the environmental damage that wooden decks cause to our planet. Adding a deck to your home is a great way to make the most of your outdoor space. But not all decking material is created equal, and you may be torn between natural wood or composite, a material designed to mimic the look of wood.

However, manufacturing advances have led to composites thatemulate the rich, natural look of woodwithout the hassles of maintaining a wood deck. If you’re on a budget and the price tag of a composite deck is just too much, then a wooden deck is a great alternative. The lowest cost per square foot for a pressure treated pine deck sells for about half the price of composite, $15 versus $30 installation, respectively. Even high-end wood like cedar and redwood still come in under the price for the lowest composite decking. The original and oldest choice for decking materials, decks have been using wood for their makeup since their existence, so we know it’s a proven material that looks great.

Whats Better: Real Wood Or Composite Wood?

Other than that, most composite decks come with long warranties, which can’t be said for the wooden ones. Make sure to choose high-quality composite decking boards to ensure longevity and durability. You can check this site out if you’re interested in browsing through some great examples. Yes, wood has a lower initial cost when purchasing the materials. Giving wood an advantage, and using a very low estimate of $115 per square metre for wood, on a 20 square metre deck, the initial cost is only $2,300 in materials.

Is Composite Decking Cheaper Than Wood Decking?

Ultrashield natural outdoor composite deck tiles are outfitted by exotic composite finish to give it a trendy look. The tiles are easy and quick to fix which enables it to be fixed without much time wastage. The tiles are made using high quality density recycled composite plastic material. They therefore offer the perfect solution for decks and roof top patios. The deck tiles can easily snap together and allows rain to easily floor through.

This will protect the color and longevity of the wood by protecting it from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Composite decking contains a blend of real wood and plastic polymers, but this material still looks exactly like real wood . This type of decking material is an environmentally friendly option, and it doesn’t come with any of the downsides wood has. Wood is the most traditional material used for porches and decks, and some studies conclude it’s still the most popular option today.

Composites may be more durable, but they might lack the natural look and color you are looking for. Composite decking will always be more expensive than traditional wood decking, however if you looks at the cost over 5 or more years, it starts to make more sense. One of the biggest advantages composite decking has over wood is that it requires virtually no maintenance. Wood composite decking requires less maintenance than wood boards and looks more authentic than plastic alternatives. Our Pioneer range also has a reversible design allowing you to choose between a natural wood pattern or a grooved board. That's a lot of money for maintenance, and even if it did cost that much, it's still much cheaper than composite decking. It would take years to make it worth the cost, and by then you could have done a new deck entirely, after only 10 yrs.