Decks are great for all backyards because they enhance the beauty and give your family and guests a place to sit and relax in the warmer weather.  The most common type of deck is a wood one, however, there are alternative types that are also popular. It comes down to individual preference of style and price.

Natural wood is usually the most appealing to homeowners. There are so many different types including cedar, pine, redwood, cypress and more. Don’t you hate when your walking across something or sitting in your car and the surface is so hot due to the summer heat? Well, wood decks absorb and dissipate solar energy so that won’t happen! Sadly there are some downfalls to having a wood deck. Wood surfaces require maintenance and need sealants to prevent mildew and algae. Sealants need to be reapplied every few years.

Alternative decking types are virgin vinyl, aluminum and others are made from recycled plastics and combinations of wood dust and fibers. These types are more expensive and rot-resistant. The cons are that they tend to be bouncy; to keep the deck stiff you will have to space the joists closer together. Also vinyl gets hot in the summer as well. Therefore, that’s when the price goes up due to extra labor. However, positive aspects of non-wood decks are that they don’t require multiple seals and vinyl looks the same many years down the road.

Overall there are good and bad aspects to having a wood deck, vinyl deck or any other style. If you’re not sure what you want refer back to the article online and contact a deck expert to get more of an idea.