There are many choices today when selecting the types of materials you would like to use in the construction of your project. Outlined here are the basic alternatives, including information on the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Advantages: As mentioned, the biggest advantage in using composite is the reduction in maintenance. You never need to stain or seal this product. The natural color when faded is very neutral and complimentary to a variety of settings. Over time composite will not crack or splinter. Because composite is a solid material, we can fabricate almost any non-structural design element from it, such as benches, railings, and planters. It lends itself well to the custom type applications that Boardwalk specializes in.
Disadvantages: Composite will add additional cost to your project up front, although you can gain this cost back over time by avoiding maintenance and replacement expenses. Composite decking as a class of material is not entirely maintenance free. Simple periodic cleaning is required to deter mold growth which can develop in certain conditions. Also, as composite is not structural there are some limitations for its application. Finally, some will not like the fact that it does not look like natural wood.
Pressure Treated Pine: Pressure treated lumber, in general, is the most commonly used material for deck construction.
Advantages: Treated lumber is tough, structural and will not decay. In addition to being the most readily available, it is also the most economical alternative when considering what materials to use when constructing a project.
Disadvantages: Pressure Treated lumber requires dutiful care to maintain a decent appearance. Over time you will experience significant cracking and shrinking as the lumber dries, particularly in hot and sunny exposures. Careful maintenance can only cut down on the extent, not eliminate, these problems over time. Because of its structural and decay resistance abilities, pressure treated lumber is almost always used for framing and post footers.
Advantages: You will experience less shrinking and cracking with Cedar. The aesthetic integrity of the workmanship will be much better maintained with the use of Cedar. If you wish to paint exposed surfaces, Cedar is in many cases the best choice with proper preparation. Yet, Cedar can also be left untreated to fade to a natural, if inconsistent, gray color if that is the desired look.
Disadvantages: Cedar, particularly clear Cedar, is quite expensive when compared to pressure treated lumber. If you select Cedar, prepare to increase your budget. Because of the cost, Cedar is generally not used for out of view framing components. You should not use Cedar if the wood will be in direct contact with soil, or in areas that are chronically wet or damp. Red Cedar is particularly soft and will scratch and dent rather easily; therefore we may not recommend its use for deck floors and steps in some instances.As with any outdoor wood, Cedar will require you to take measures to maintain its appearance.
Vinyl: Most of us are familiar with the look and maintenance free characteristics of vinyl, and many new products have come into the Deck and Fencing marketplace recently that take advantage of these characteristics.
Advantages: Along with being very low maintenance, vinyl gives you the ability to get that white painted look without painting.
Disadvantages: Expect to add considerable expense to your project. Vinyl materials tend to be among the most expensive alternatives. Depending on the design, these products may not lend themselves well to some of the customized applications we get involved in, nor will you be able to get that real wood look if that is what you desire.
PVC: Cellular PVC is the newest category of products available for decking and outdoor building, and has proven very popular it is highly durable and anti-microbial.
Advantages:The lowest maintenance products available, PVC can just be rinsed clean whenever it is needed.Also, PVC resembles solid stain board, so when used as a railing, for example, it will appear to be painted wood.
Disadvantages:These products are the most expensive classification of decking.Also, since they come in preset designs they do not allow for design variation, particularly in railing style.
Other Materials: There are a host of other natural materials such as Redwood, Mahogany, Teak, etc. which are not commonly used but are available.Although we recommend the use of TREX, there are many other composite type products on the market, each with their own inherent advantages and applicability. If you are looking for something unique, materials such as metals, glass, stainless steel, wrought, iron, aluminum, and stone can produce interesting and creative results.
Lighting: When designing an outdoor living space, the introduction of lighting can add dramatic effect to your project as well as increase usability and safety. There are primarily two types of lighting that can be incorporated into your project: low voltage or 12v lighting, and conventional 110v lighting. 110v lighting is generally meant to light up or flood an area with light, while low voltage lighting is typically used to create ambiance or to highlight specific elements. You can also increase safety and drama by incorporating hidden tube lighting along steps and floor level changes. It is important to think about these considerations before you build, as it is much easier incorporating lighting into the project during construction than after the fact.
Other things to keep in mind: Think about traffic flow and the placement of steps, exits, and doors. Too many exits, or stairs put in the wrong place, can negatively impact the usability of your space. Try not to place stairs in locations that will lead people to cut through areas where you might put your table for example. If you desire the look of a multilevel area, be aware that you may sacrifice some usable space to gain that look. Keep in mind that while built-in elements, such as hot tubs, seating, and tables can add to the customized quality of an area, they can also limit your ability to change things around later.