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Choosing the best decking material

10.05.2022

Build a beautiful deck that will last

Build a beautiful deck that will last

Want to spend more time outdoors? Looking for ways to expand your living space and add value to your home? A beautiful outdoor deck can do it all, giving you and your family more room for barbecues, outdoor dining, gardening and stress-free relaxation.

Depending on the size and type of deck you build, a 2019 study by Remodeling magazine found that the addition of a deck is one of the four most valuable home improvement projects you can take on.[i] But design is important, and materials matter when building a deck. Your choice of decking material sets the standard for how the deck will look and how easy it will be to maintain over time.

So, what’s the best wood for decks? Luckily, you have several options, including a product called Accoya.

Top 10 Key Factors to Help You Choose the Best Deck Material

  1. Deck location, which includes exposure to sun, moisture and insects. Is your deck close to water? Surrounded by trees? Covered by snow in winter? Choose a material that will stand up to the elements.
  2. Durability is one of those things that becomes more important with time. Look for materials that resist fading, insects, rot, splitting or twisting, and more.
  3. Maintenance is a deal breaker for most people. Who wants to spend every summer taking care of their deck instead of hanging out on it? If cleaning and resealing your deck every year isn’t your idea of fun, look for a low-maintenance material.
  4. Ease of replacement becomes important if you need to replace a board someday. How easy will it be to find a match?
  5. Surface temperature is another consideration. If your deck gets direct sunlight and you want to be able to walk across it with bare feet, make sure the material you choose doesn’t get too hot.
  6. Appearance is always a consideration. Who wants an ugly deck? Look for a material that matches the look you want in terms of colour, grain, knots, board width and more.
  7. Ease of installation may feel like it’s only important if you install the deck yourself. But your cost of professional installation will also be higher with some materials than others.
  8. Sustainability of your deck material is more important than ever. We all know that we can make choices that help the world, and now there are more options than ever before to have a positive impact.
  9. Cost includes not just the material itself, but for installation and annual maintenance. For example, the cost to reseal a wood deck each year can be costly. Not all materials need the same level or frequency of upkeep, so this can be a significant long-term factor in overall cost of ownership.
  10. Warranty may not seem important until you need it. And then you’ll be glad you have it.
How do the decking options stack up?

While you may be tempted to use the same old decking material, consider all of your options.

How do the decking options stack up?

Make the right choice for your deck.

Accoya Wood

Real, sustainably-sourced wood that is specially enhanced without toxic additives, making it much more durable while retaining its natural beauty

Pros:  location, appearance, maintenance, durability, surface temperature, sustainability, 25-year warranty, installation/machinability

 

Cons:  higher initial cost (but lower ongoing maintenance costs)

25YrWarranty_onwhite

25 year warranty

Accoya_Icons_RGB_Sustainable_onwhite

sustainable

Durable_onwhite

durable

Wood

Common types of wood decking: cedar, redwood and pressure-treated pine, along with tropical hardwoods such as teak or ironwood

Pros:  ease of installation and cost (except for tropical hardwoods), appearance short-term

 

Cons:  maintenance, appearance long-term, durability, warranty, location

Wood/Plastic Composite

Two basic types of composite decking: wood-plastic composite and all-plastic

Pros:  location, maintenance, durability, warranty

 

Cons:  appearance (some don’t look authentic), surface temperature, ease of installation (may require special fasteners), sustainability, cost

Choose Beauty That Will Last

Your choice of deck materials is a decision you’ll have to live with for a long time. It’s nice to have choices, since each material comes with its own unique advantages. Take the time to learn about your options, then weigh the pros and cons. And if you value beauty, durability, sustainability, warranty and easy maintenance, take a closer look at Accoya.

 

[1] Cost vs. Value 2019, Remodeling magazine, https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2019/

Where to Buy

You can buy Accoya and Accoya products from our selection of distributors or manufacturers in your region. Use our map search tool to find your nearest Accoya supplier.

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