Choosing the right decking material will ensure you have an outdoor space that is comfortable, visually appealing, and built to last. From natural hardwood to composite boards, there are many attractive and functional decking options, making it challenging to find the perfect choice. To help inform your decision, three popular types of decking materials are explained in more detail below.

3 Common Kinds of Decking

1. Natural Wood

Redwood and cedar decking are excellent natural wood choices, though they tend to be more expensive. They offer the most organic look, and their innate beauty blends well into the verdant greens and rich browns of the great outdoors. Soft woods are more prone to damage, but proper maintenance can make a natural wood deck last 20 years or more. Each year, scrub and wash the deck with a standard deck cleaner, wait two full days for it to dry, and apply sealant.

2. Pressure-Treated Lumber

Pressure-treated lumber is the most popular type of decking material because of the numerous benefits it offers. It’s affordable; easy to cut, nail, and screw; and has a long lifespan, typically ranging from 15 to 20 years. This type of lumber comes in a greenish shade due to the chemicals used to preserve the wood, but it can be painted and stained practically any color. Maintenance-wise, decks of this variety are resistant to rot and decay but should still be routinely sealed to prevent water damage.

3. Composite Decking

Composite decking is usually made of a combination of wood fibers and plastic. These boards are very budget-friendly and weather-resistant, and they don't need to be sanded, refinished, or stained. They also have a long life, with the average age spanning from 25 to 30 years. To maintain a composite deck, prevent standing water from pooling on the surface as much as possible, sweep it regularly, and, for harder-to-remove stains, use a soft scrub brush and a mild soap.

Each of these materials has distinct advantages that can make them the ideal choice for the right home and builder. Marchant Building Center offers a wide range of decking options to property owners throughout the Mountain Home, AR, region. They also provide other types of building materials, including siding, insulation, and garage doors. Call (870) 425-3168 or visit them online to explore their decking inventory.

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