A backyard deck is a true difference-maker when it comes to home additions and renovations. Not only does it turn an ordinary house into a dual-environment showpiece but it’s also one of the best ways of adding significant bottom-line value to a home. A deck that is well-constructed out of high-grade materials can be expected to last 50 years or more. But just how do you determine what constitutes high-grade materials? A post on the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) website helps clarify the matter.
There are more decking choices now than ever, including mahogany, composites, and plastics. However, the overwhelmingly preferred choice, based on longevity, ease of installation, availability, natural appearance, and economy, remains pressure-treated wood.
As the article rightly points out wood is the traditional material used for custom decks and the one most people will choose by default. One reason for that, no doubt, is that there are many homeowners who want nothing to do with plastics or plasticky feeling composites as their deck material. That aside, determining which type of wood will give you the desired look, value, and longevity you’re after is key to wind up with a deck that’s affordable, great looking, and long-lasting. The NADRA article advises:
Regardless of treatment, purchasers should be aware of differences in lumber grades… The grade is marked on the wood, and usually noted on the store’s price signs. Consider the more expensive, higher grades for visible parts of the deck, and use lower cost, lower grade lumber where beauty is not critical.
That means using some lower-grade lumber for the deck’s undercarriage and reserving the best and most costly wood for the visible sections. This should not affect the overall longevity of the deck as even lower-grade pressure-treated lumber will last for decades.
The Financial Advantages of Using Wood for Your Custom Decks
When it comes to choosing the right material for your deck, wood is not only traditional but will result in significant savings as modern composites and plastic can cost as much as 50% more than the natural alternative.
Here’s a list of estimated costs per square foot for different deck materials from houzz.com, including plastic and a Brazilian hardwood called Ipe that is becoming a popular deck material.
- Pressure-treated wood: $15-$25
- Cedar: $24-$45
- Composite: $32-$45
- Redwood: $30
- Top-end plastic: $48
- Ipe: $55
As you can see you stand to enjoy considerable savings by opting for a traditional wood deck.
The Right Contractor is as Important as the Right Materials
The appeal of custom decks has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years and the reason why extends beyond simply adding bottom-line value to a home according to a recent article on the USNews website. The article suggests homeowners today are seeking ways to utilize their homes as an alternative to going out all the time. It also notes the psychological aspect of knowing you’ve expanded the usable area of your home without creating larger heating and air conditioning bills in the process.
But whatever the reason you want to add a backyard deck to your home, picking the right contractor for the job will be just as important as picking the right materials. In spite of what you may see on the Internet custom decks are not a D.I.Y. project, unless you want to P.A.Y. for mistakes down the road. Regardless of how easy some websites will make it look and sound there is simply no substitute for proper training and experience when it comes to building areas of decking.
We Specialize in Custom Decks: Contact Us to Learn More
At Toronto Custom Decks we’ve been designing and building beautiful backyard decks for more than a decade. Our craftsmen are some of the best in the business with years of training and practical experience and will provide you with a deck you can be proud of. Spend some time browsing through our online portfolio and then give us a call to find out what we can do for you. Your home is your largest single investment. Make sure you hire the best in the business to add your custom deck to it.