Decking Materials: What’s Right for you?

So you are finally ready to build that deck you have been dreaming of since the day you settled into your home. You have pictured yourself lounging with a drink in hand, delicious scents waft by from the grill as the kids are play in the yard and you bask in the sun…

Snap back to reality and you could be thinking “Wait, I have no idea what I want out of a deck. What kind of materials should I have it made out of? What will fit into my budget? Am I going to have the time for maintenance?”

It all seems overwhelming especially when it comes to such a big decision but with a basic understanding of the pros and cons of the four most common types of decking materials you can achieve the outdoor living space that works best for you and your home. To help you get started, Decks of NoVA has compiled a quick reference list to assist you in the decision making process…

4 Common Types of Decking Material

Pressure Treated Pine – Pine wood that has been infused with a liquid copper compound to resist decay

Pros: Cost efficient

Cons: Requires yearly maintenance (pressure washing & staining)

Composite – Made up from recycled sawdust and plastic

Pros: Mid-cost decking material, recycled materials on front end, low maintenance

Cons: Fast color fading, not mold resistant, not recyclable on the back end

Plastic Wrapped Composite – Composite core with a plastic wrap protecting composite core from mold & fading issues

Pros: High-mid level cost material, recycled materials on front end, low maintenance

Cons: Not recyclable on the back end

PVC – Decking made entirely of plastic

Pros: Most resistance to fade and mold issues, recyclable on the backend, least maintenance

Cons: Higher cost material, initial creation not environmentally friendly

Check back for more ideas for achieving ideal outdoor living space on the Decks of NoVA blog. Feel free to comment below with any questions, thoughts or ideas.

Picking Your Perfect Contractor, Part 1

Picking a contractor for the big (or small) project you’ve been dreaming of can be a daunting task if you are fearful of picking the wrong person or company. Using these helpful hints will help ease your mind and a make the process a bit more comfortable for you and your potential project mate.

(In the interest of full disclosure, this blog is written by Decks of NoVA, a decking company. Regardless of which builder you choose, these suggestions are meant for consumer education in general.)

Do Research Before and After Requesting Estimates

Before you set up meetings with potential contractors, do your own research on products. Find photos of deck designs you might like to incorporate into your space. Learn about materials: Pressure Treated Pine vs. Composite, Composite vs. PVC, PVC vs. Polyethylene Wrapped Composite. If composites or PVC are in your budget think about the color choices you lean towards. Knowing before meeting will improve communication with potential contractors and assist the contractor in developing design proposals and giving the most accurate estimate possible. After meeting with at least three contractors, research customer feedback and don’t be afraid to check their references. Customer feedback is the best way to find truthful results.

Least Expensive Is Not Always Best

While the lowest price might be best for our wallets, it doesn’t always mean the best for the overall project. Many times the mid-bid could be the best in value because the contractor has included a reasonable amount for material costs, labor costs and company profit.  If a potential contractor underbids the other estimates by a considerable amount, there may be the possibility that there are mistakes in their calculations or there will be add-ons that arise during the build. A bid that is considerably higher may be a caused by high company overhead.  If the lowest bid works out for you, remember to check material such as decking boards during the project build. Pressure Treated Pine boards used for framing should always be marked with a Grade 1 or 2 quality. Composites and PVCs will always be marked with manufacturer name, series and color.

Go With Your Gut

Trust your gut and do what feels right. Chances are your intuition is on point. If you get a bad feeling about an estimate or potential contractor or feel pressured in anyway, don’t be afraid to back away. Feeling comfortable in your decision is the most important aspect to any project. If you happen to like a contractor but the price is a little too high or the proposed design isn’t exactly what you pictured, feel free to ask questions. Schedule a second meeting with the contractor you like to see if you can compromise on design and/or price.

Implementing the above suggestions will get your project off to a great start and assist in the overall process. The contractor will appreciate your effort to work with them and in turn make them happier to work with you, giving you the best experience possible.

Look for more installments of “Picking Your Perfect Contractor” on the Decks of NoVA blog. Feel free to comment below with any questions, thoughts or ideas.