What characteristics to look for when choosing decking material
When it’s time to fix or rebuild your porch, you might have questions like: What kind of decking—exactly—should I use? What materials are the most affordable, eco-friendly and manageable over time? With so many choices at hand, it’s hard to know where to begin when choosing decking materials.
First and foremost, it’s important to become familiar with what makes for good decking. If decks are made incorrectly or designed haphazardly the result could be full of scratches, stains, molds, insects, splits and wobbly planks. There are standards to consider when choosing the proper decking material.
essentials to consider
- Split Resistance: the natural erosion of all things takes its effect over time. While many boards and planks are inherently determined to split, finding ones that resist fragmentation are ideal. A splitting deck yields slivers and makes the material more susceptible to moisture. Commissioning a deck material that isn’t prone to splitting or peeling away from itself is an important step in securing a long-lasting porch.
- Moisture Resistance: rain and humidity are unavoidable guarantees of a life in NY. Materials that don’t go supple at their first acquaintance with precipitation should be encouraged. Moisture leads to mold and mildew, but it produces a familiar yet unpleasant site: the rotting deck. Moisture damage can be hindered, and for us in the North East it has to be.
- Insect Resistance: bugs are unavoidable irritants—both to the home and homeowner. Finding materials that keep insects from burrowing in for the season are worth purchasing. The products used to keep creepy crawlies at bay are safer for pets and children than they’ve ever been. Decking material treatments have improved, so porches can withstand summer assaults.
- Scratch and Stain Resistance: Porches are for the enjoyment of home owners, friends and family. That being said, scratches and stains will be part of the game—as long as ice tea, wine, mustard and ketchup finds their way to your porch. However, through the instillation of properly treated or glazed panes, scratches and stains can be drastically minimized.
- Integration: It’s fitting to choose planks that seamlessly connect, making for a smooth, solid deck. Tongue and groove options are most preferred for their optimal performance. Like puzzle pieces, these boards which fasten together facilitate maintenance, hasten construction and are easily replaced if serious damage occurs to one piece or another.
- Hue & Pattern: The decking you choose will have to flatter either the vision of your home or your home’s current exterior color scheme and architecture. Using a contractor that will provide a wide spectrum of materials with various colors and patterns should be important. Your American porch should be as beautiful as it is functional.
Where to go and what to look for from here
For more information on covered porches, uncovered porches, decking, porch replacement or porch construction, contact us today! Watch for our next installment in the porch series.