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wood deck alternatives
Wood Deck Alternatives
As you probably already know, wood decks
require a lot of maintenance in order to keep their lasting
appeal. Outside elements cause wood decks to rot, warp,
split, and discolor. You must be responsible for sanding,
sealing, and painting a wood deck. If this sounds like too
much of a hassle for your lifestyle, consider wood deck
alternatives.
Composite decking and plastic lumber are
two alternatives to a wood deck. They offer low maintenance
mixed with a similar look and feel of wood. Composite decking
is a blend of wood products and certain forms of plastic
(typically PVC). This blend of materials is made to be rot
resistant, crack and split resistant, and guarded against
weathering.
Composite decking offers a wide array of
colors and textures. With its unique blend of materials,
manufacturers have the ability to create a product that
resembles the warm look and feel of wood. It is, however,
more costly than treated pine. Keep in mind though that
you will be saving yourself thousands of dollars on maintenance
over the years.
Plastic lumber is another alternative to
wood decking. However, unlike composite decking, plastic
lumber does not contain any wood products in its make up.
Plastic lumber is made from a blend of recycled plastics.
This unique blend creates a fade free, stain free decking
product. Similar to composite decking, plastic lumber is
significantly more expensive than wood.
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