Advantages Relatively low cost Widely available Long life (Many brands offer a lifetime warranty) Excellent structural values Very good for stains, OK for paint Easy to work, no special tools required Available in 5/4" and 2" decking and many other dimensions, as well as plywood and lattice. Wide selection of visible and hidden fasteners are available.

Disadvantages Weathers without cleaning and periodic application of stain/sealer. Splinters and "weather checks" are common Shrinks significantly unless kiln dried after treatment (KDAT). Requires more care in fastening and joints to reduce cupping and warping.

Comments: When installing never leave any space between decking boards. This decking has a high moisture content due to the treatment process. As the decking dries it will shrink significantly. For the same reason minimize miter cuts as the shrinkage is greater across the board causing a "sharks tooth" look to the miter joints. With the new preservatives it is very important to make sure that you use fasteners and flashing that is approved for  the higher copper content found in these products. Consider installing the decking on a diagonal to minimize splices, added strength, and for a more interesting look.

Advantages High WOW factor - beautiful when properly finished. Widely available Naturally rot resistant Excellent dimensional stability Excellent for stains and paint Easy to work, no special tools required Available in 5/4" and 2" decking and many other dimensions, as well as lattice. Wide selection of visible and hidden fasteners are available.

Disadvantages Weathers without periodic cleaning and application of stain/sealer. Splinters and "weather checks" are less common but will occur occasionally. Rot resistant, not rot proof. Relatively expensive, especially all heart grades. Less resistant to surface damage from impact.

Comments: Be very careful when selecting and specifying the lumber grade to be used. Stainless steel fasteners are less likely to stain the decking. Do not use electro-galvanized fasteners on the decking. This is a dry product so you should space the decking when it is installed for drainage and appearance. Many carpenters use a 16 penny nail to space the decking properly. Use treated lumber for framing to save on cost.

Advantages High WOW factor - beautiful when properly finished. Widely available Naturally rot resistant Excellent dimensional stability Excellent for stains and paint Easy to work, no special tools required Available in 5/4" and 2" decking and many other dimensions, as well as lattice. Wide selection of visible and hidden fasteners are available. Wide selection of amenities such as furnishings, gazebos, sheds and much more are available.

Disadvantages Weathers to a silver gray without periodic cleaning and application of stain/sealer. Splinters and "weather checks" are less common but will occur occasionally. Rot resistant, not rot proof. Relatively expensive, but typically less than redwood. Less resistant to surface damage from impact.

Comments: Be very careful when selecting and specifying the lumber grade to be used. Stainless steel fasteners are less likely to stain the decking. Do not use electro-galvanized fasteners on the decking. This is a dry product so you should space the decking when it is installed for drainage and appearance. Many carpenters use a 16 penny nail to space the decking properly. Use treated lumber for framing to save on cost.

Other Native Woods
There are many other native species that are used for decking. They contain natural compounds that make them, to varying degrees, inherently resistant to insects and microorganisms that cause decay. The most common include cypress, black locust, osage orange, hemlock, oak, red mulberry, and catalpa. Like Redwood and Cedar, the most decay-resistant boards in these trees are cut from the heartwood at the center of the tree. While these woods are in many cases beautiful, most are not available in commercial quantities and are found in only a limited number of local markets. In our local market (Washington, D.C.) cypress is often available at attractive prices and is a great alternative to cedar or redwood. If you're interested in a natural wood deck that is a little different than the rest check with your local lumber yards (not home centers!) to see what they have. You may be pleasantly surprised.

TROPICAL HARDWOOD DECKING
Tropical hardwoods have become increasingly popular in recent years as they have become more available and cost competitive. Most can be finished to an almost furniture quality or left unfinished to weather to a silver gray. In this very broad category of decking people are probably most familiar with teak. Although still used for some very high-end residential and commercial decks, teak's high cost has resulted in it is used mainly for furniture and decking and trim for yachts. There are several tropical hardwoods that have many of the favorable characteristics of teak but at a lower cost.

• Ipé (E-pay) or Brazilian Walnut is also sold under brand names such as Pau Lope®  and Iron Woods®. Typically dark brown in color, it may have lighter colored sapwood striping, Ipé has a very fine texture, is very hard, very dense, and very strong. It is difficult to cut and bore, requiring more labor to install than native woods. Ipé is very durable lasting 25 years or more (The Pau Lope® warranty is 40 years!) This decking only requires sealing to maintain its beautiful rich color. Without a sealer it will weather to a silver gray with virtually no splintering. Imported primarily from Brazil and Central America.

• Massaranduba or Brazilian Redwood is similar to Ipé in appearance (although redder in color) and physical characteristics it is often lower cost but not as widely available. Imported primarily from Brazil and Central America.

• Cumaru or Brazilian Teak is also similar to Ipé in physical characteristics - very hard, very strong, and very dense. The color is often described as an orangish brown. Cumaru naturally weathers to a beautiful, silvery-gray patina. Imported from South America.

• Mahogany. There are many different species and sub-species of mahogany. Colors can range from white and yellow to light and dark red. The lauan genus (Shorea) contains about 70 species that are commonly called Philippine Mahogany. These woods are typically sold based on color and density rather than by species. Meranti, a plantation grown Philippine mahogany, is a common variety that has its own faults and a wide range of decay resistance. It must be maintained with water repellant to protect it and keep its dimensional stability.  Philippine mahogany is not as durable or dimensionally stable as real American mahogany, which comes from the West Indies, Mexico, and Central and South America. American mahogany has a beautiful, dark red appearance that will last for decades. Obviously when buying mahogany, research the wood and be sure to ask for the species name and the physical characteristics of the wood you are buying.

PLASTIC LUMBER
Over the past 15 years there has been an explosion of deck products that are made completely or partially of plastics. We have grouped these products into composites, vinyl decking, and other plastic lumber.

COMPOSITE DECKING
There is a lot of confusion when it comes to composite decking. Some people think all composite decking is Trex (due in large part by a great marketing effort by the Trex Company to introduce composite decking to the market.) In fact, there are over 80 composite decking products currently being offered.  By definition a composite is a material, in which two or more distinct, structurally complementary substances are combined  to produce a product with structural or functional properties not present in any individual component. In the case of composite decking the primary components are most often a plastic and an organic material, usually wood fiber. But not all composites contain wood fiber and new products with new combinations of materials are rapidly appearing on the market. Some things to consider when choosing a composite decking:

• Type of Plastic. The most commonly used plastic in composite decking is polyethylene. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is used for things like milk jugs and other similar containers. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is used for bags and wrappers. Both are recycled in huge quantities with decking being a major use of the reclaimed material. Denser, lighter, and stronger, high density polypropylene (HDPP)  is used for portable gas cans, Tupperware, and furniture. Because of its longer life, HDPP is recycled in smaller quantities. Decking made with HDPP is more likely to be all or mostly virgin material. Recently some manufacturers have introduced composite decking using Polyvinylchloride (PVC) as the plastic. PVC is discussed in more detail below.
  
  Which is best? It depends. Polyethylene based decking is more common so your selection is greater. There are more colors, profiles, and textures available. It also tends to be less expensive because of the recycled content. Polypropylene based decking is typically stronger, allowing for greater spans between joists. It will also wear better than polyethylene based decking.

• Profile. Composite decking is available in solid and hollow or ribbed profiles. The solid is easier to work in finishing the edges using a saw or router. The hollow/ribbed is lighter, but must be used with special trims and end caps. Some composites are available in a tongue and groove (T&G) profile which is particularly useful for screened porches.

• Reinforcement. By a huge margin, wood flour is the most common reinforcement fiber used in composite decking. It is readily available as scrap and saw dust from all types of wood product producers. The material is typically ground into a powder before being combined with the plastic. This mixture, along with additives for color and other properties, is blended, heated, and extruded in continuous ribbons of decking. Other materials such as rice hulls are used, but wood is most common.
  The wood fiber is surrounded by the plastic to protect it from moisture. Earlier designs would sometimes have problems  with the wood becoming exposed after the surface has been worn down. This typically results in mold or mildew problems. Newer products seem to have this problem solved - time will tell.

• Fastening System. The first composites (Trex) were nailed or screwed to the framing. The material was so stable some contractors even used finishing nails to fasten the decking - a practice that is not recommended by any manufacturer. Today there are many ways to attach the decking. In addition to nails and screws, a variety of hidden fastener systems are available. Hidden fasteners give a cleaner look and eliminate worries over stains from nails or screws. It is very important to understand the manufacturer's recommendations. Some decking cannot be nailed. Others must be pre-drilled before being screwed to the joist.

• Warranties. Warranty time limits vary from 10 years to "lifetime". Some are transferable if the building is sold. Labor for replacement may be included. In other words there's a lot of variations and it pays to read the fine print to understand the rights that you will have if something goes wrong.

• Color and Texture. When first introduced Trex followed the Henry Ford example and offered any color and texture as long as it was smooth and gray. In time additional colors were added and the most recent models have a wood grain texture and tropical wood tones. Until recently, many people thought that composite decking looked too fake. That is changing as companies have developed more realistic colors and textures. With 80 plus composite decking products you should be able to find a color and texture that meets your expectations.

VINYL DECKING
There has been a surge in interest in vinyl decking recently and there are many improved products on the market. Vinyl decking has two primary profiles and formulations available: hollow and solid.

Hollow PVC Decking
The walls of the hollow PVC decking are normally just a fraction of an inch thick. Many profiles have been designed to achieve the strength and stiffness required to be a acceptable decking surface. Unlike the composite decking discussed above which contain 10% to more than 60% wood or other organic material, vinyl decking has no wood filler. Instead it may be a compound of two or more formulations of polyvinylchloride (PVC) and have additives such as glass or carbon fibers. Most PVC outdoor products, including decking, are now co-extruded with two layers of PVC. The outer layer, or capstock, contains a UV inhibitor, typically titanium dioxide, and other additives that affect the appearance and impact resistance. The inner layer is typically thicker and may contain additives to increase strength and stiffness. There are many variations in formulations and profiles.

Vinyl decking has improved in many ways over in recent years. There are now more color choices and there are several surface textures available. This decking is typically fastened with screws often with a hidden fastener configuration. Most of the newer designs are easier and faster to install than wood or composite decking. Also there are specialty decking models as well that have unique features. We offer an interlocking vinyl decking that is watertight when installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Another popular variation is vinyl over-decking. This product is about 1/2" thick and be applied over split and discolored decking to renew an otherwise structurally sound  but ugly deck.
 

Advantages Clean, uniform appearance Very low maintenance (Notice we didn't say no maintenance.) Rot and decay proof with a long life. Excellent dimensional stability Usually designed so that fasteners are hidden Splinter free. Will not crack or peel. Will not fade. Less waste because of material defects. Most have matching railing and trim systems.

Disadvantages Higher cost than pressure treated lumber. When new still doesn't look as good as a new wood deck. Not all have matching trim materials available to allow for a nicely finished project. Noise and squeaking is still a problem for some brands. Does not look like wood. Less environmentally desirable than composites that use recycled materials and are recyclable themselves.

Comments: Check to make sure the decking has code approval in your area. Many vinyl decking products do not have ICC-ES approval. (Look for a ESR or NER report number. Make sure that you understand the framing requirements for the decking (spans) before starting the project. Vinyl decking usually has the same span limits as wood decking, but check before completing the framing design. Use treated lumber for framing to save on cost. Decide how you are going to finish the edges of the deck. Most vinyl decking suppliers have accessory products for starting and terminating the decking. In addition make sure you understand how to handle stair treads and risers. If you use a different material you'll need to accommodate any differences in thickness.

Solid PVC decking
Most solid decking, and there are only a few on the market, are made with cellular PVC. Cellular PVC is an extruded material that has the working characteristics of wood. In addition to decking, it is used for interior trim, exterior trim, and paneling as well as windows and doors, blinds, and furniture. Cellular PVC is created by a foaming extrusion process that creates tiny air bubbles within the shape, resulting in a density less than half that of regular PVC. The material is then cooled to form a smooth, hard skin that doesn't absorb paint or bleed. It weighs about the same as softwood. The best known of these products are VEKAdeck and Procell decking. Both have an attractive wood grain texture and are available in several colors. Both have building code approval. There are a growing number of builders who believe that cellular PVC is the best of the alternative decking products.
 

Advantages Clean, uniform appearance. Many look more like real wood than PVC or composites. Very, very low maintenance (Notice we didn't say no maintenance.) Extremely stain resistant. Rot and decay proof with a long life. Excellent dimensional stability Wide range of fastener options including nails. Requires no pre-drilling and does not "mushroom" when nailed. Splinter free. Will not crack or peel. Will not fade. Less waste because of material defects. Many matching trim products available. Very quiet decking. Several colors and textures are available.

Disadvantages Higher cost than most hollow PVC decking. Less environmentally desirable than composites that use recycled materials and are recyclable themselves.

Comments: Check to make sure the decking has code approval in your area. Many vinyl decking products do not have ICC-ES approval. (Look for a ESR or NER report number. Make sure that you understand the framing requirements for the decking (spans) before starting the project. Vinyl decking usually has the same span limits as wood decking, but check before completing the framing design. Use treated lumber for framing to save on cost. Decide how you are going to finish the edges of the deck. Most vinyl decking suppliers have accessory products for starting and terminating the decking. In addition make sure you understand how to handle stair treads and risers. If you use a different material you'll need to accommodate any differences in thickness.

Other Plastic Lumber
There are decking products made with polystyrene (Eon), High Density Polyethylene (Carefree Xteriors, Bear Board), and other plastics which do not include reinforcement fibers and therefore are not a composite. These products are offered in a wide range of colors and textures. Some are made with recycled material while others believe there are advantages in using only virgin material. Although growing in market share, these decking products are currently only a very small segment of the market.

OTHER DECKING MATERIALS
Other materials are also being used to manufacture decking. Usually designed to meet unique and specific needs, these products are not distributed as widely as wood and plastic decking materials.

• Aluminum Decking. The best known brands are Aridek and Deck Loc. Both are interlocking to make the deck watertight. Both products are sold directly by the factory.  Aluminum decking is nosier and more expensive than PVC interlocking decking.

• Fiberglass Decking. More commonly used for industrial and commercial decks where there is corrosion or electrical safety is a problem, fiberglass decking is sometime used on residential decks. EZ Deck is one residential brand. It is strong and very low maintenance. Fiberglass fibers are also found in some composite decking.

• Stone. Yes, believe it or not there are a couple of companies that are manufacturing decking with a natural stone surface. Having the look of a patio of the past, the panels are very strong and are a low maintenance alternative. In places where wildfires are a problem like certain areas in California, a fireproof decking has a big advantage. Two brands are Deckstone and StoneDeck.

• Vinyl Covered Steel. Having a more industrial look and cost, vinyl coated steel is being used more for commercial projects. Like aluminum decking, the coated steel is very strong and installs quickly. Xccent is one brand that is available.

OUR CURRENT FAVORITE DECKING MATERIALS
As you can see, it can be an overwhelming task to select the best decking for your budget, ascetics, and or special needs. Availability will certainly narrow your choices, but if you really want a decking that is not distributed in your local market, you may be able to order it directly from the manufacturer or a distributor in another area.

We thought it might be helpful to know our current favorites:

TYPE	CHOICE	REASON
Low Cost Native Wood	5/4 x 6 PTW Southern Yellow Pine	We're not crazy about the new preservatives, but treated pine still gives the most bang for the buck.
Premium Native Wood	5/4 x 6 Western Red Cedar	Redwood is beautiful, but for the money cedar is a better choice.
Tropical Hardwood	Brazilian Redwood (Massaranduba)	All the benefits of Ipé, but typically lower cost.
Wood Composite	5/4 x 6 Trex Accents Boardwalk	Easier to clean, wood grain option is attractive
Hollow PVC	Deck Lok	Good value, easy installation, code approved
Specialty Decking	Diamond Interlocking PVC Decking	Best of the watertight decking, easy installation
Solid PVC	Procell	Overall best performing decking product - attractive, very low maintenance, stain resistant, excellent workability. Only negative is cost.

Final Thoughts
Still don't see what you're looking for? Wait a bit, it may be available soon. Some experts estimate that the decking market is more than $3 Billion with the alternative decking market growing at double digit rates. That kind of market has attracted and will continue to attract investment in new product - both natural and synthetic. By the same token, if you see something you like, you may want to get it now. Unlike consumer electronics, these products are not getting cheaper. All plastic lumber contains some petroleum products and all decking must be shipped which also consumes petroleum. And we all know which way oil prices are going. In addition the plastic lumber boom has attracted a lot of players. Like most developing markets, there will be a shake out of the weaker performing companies even though they may have a better product.

If you have any questions, want to pass on some of your own experiences, or have any other suggestions, please contact us.

Written by Ernie Sears
© 2006 Backyard America