Have you decided to build a new deck around your home and want to be sure that you are selecting the right material for the job? Here is what you need to know about using solid wood and composite decking.
Scratches
One big difference between the two materials is how they react to scratching. Your deck is going to see a lot of wear and tear over the years, which include chairs sliding across the surface and pets running across it. When you have scratches in a solid wood deck material, it is always possible to sand out the scratches and stain the material again to restore the look. With composite material, those scratches are in the boards for the lifespan of the deck. There is no real way to fix scratches in composite materials that look anywhere close to the natural look of sanding and staining solid wood.
Fading
The sun is going to fade the material that you use for your deck, no matter which one you decide to go with. The placement of items on the deck, such as tables and chairs, is going to cause noticeable uneven stains over the years due to some areas not coming in direct contact with the sun. That's why it helps to know how both of these materials react to the sun.
You'll find that composite deck boards are more resistant to sun fade than natural wood that has been stained. However, both boards will fade over time. While the solid wood deck boards can always be sanded and painted, this is not possible with composite boards. Once again, solid wood can be restored to its original beauty if desired.
Maintenance
The main benefit of composite wood deck boards is that they are very durable and require minimal maintenance over the years to keep them looking good. While they cannot easily be restored, you'll need to do less to the boards over the years to maintain their condition. Wood is going to be a softer material that is more prone to damage. Even if you do not stain or paint the solid wood, it will require that you seal the wood to prevent it from being damaged by water.
Not quite sure which type of material you want to use for your new deck? Reach out to a deck contractor in your area to learn more about the pros and cons of each material.