Many homeowners enjoy the addition of a beautiful deck where they can spend time outside relaxing, enjoying a meal with their family, or even hosting a get-together and a BBQ. If you've been searching for “deck builders near me” and wondering what your options are in the Canton, MI, area, you will find that some contractors prefer certain materials for building decks. Here are four of the more popular choices among deck builders.
Wood Materials
If you like the traditional look of a natural wood deck, then you will want to consider which species of wood you want your deck built out of. Three of the most common types of wood used for deck building are redwood, cedar, numerous hardwoods, and pressure-treated wood—which can be made from various wood species.
Pressure-treated lumber is infused with insect and moisture repellants, while cedar, redwood, and hardwoods (such as ironbark and spotted gum) are naturally insect repellent. Wood material will need to be painted or stained to preserve its integrity and appearance and will need to be maintained over time.
Redwood decking is known for retaining finishes, helping it maintain its beautiful appearance longer. Cedar decking is a long-lasting material that requires less maintenance and doesn't warp or split easily. Pressure-treated lumber is durable, strong, and holds up well with normal use. Homeowners will often choose hardwood because of its incredible durability—it has a reputation for being a long-lasting decking material that is resistant to scratches and dents. The design, style, and color options for a wooden deck are limitless.
Composite Decking
Composite decking is made up of a mix of wood fibers, plastic, and bonding agents. It is low-maintenance because of the plastic used in its manufacturing. You won’t have to worry about getting splinters, as you may with a wooden deck. Composite decking is available in a variety of colors and often includes natural looking patterns that resemble wood.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
PVC decking is 100% plastic and does not contain any wood fibers, and is not the same as vinyl decking. Deck boards are manufactured out of PVC, but they cannot be made out of vinyl. PVC is known for being scratch resistant, even more so than composite decking. PVC is also very low maintenance and is resistant to water and mold, making it a popular choice for pool decks or for decks near a body of water. It’s also insect repellent and resistant to color fading. Oftentimes, PVC decking is manufactured from recycled plastic, which makes it a more eco-friendly decking material. However, PVC generally does not look as much like natural wood as composite decking material does.
Pavers
While you may not think of pavers as decking material, they offer a strong and durable option that requires very little maintenance. Sometimes called paver decks, pool decks, or paver patios, this option can be built to be multilevel but is always at ground level. Because of the wide selection of shapes, colors, and textures of pavers, there are numerous design and style options with paver decks. You will be sure to find a design that will complement your home, whether you prefer a rustic look or a modern and minimalist aesthetic.