What Type of Material Should You Use For Your Deck?

Many homeowners wonder what the best type of decking is best when it comes to repairing or placing their existing deck. At Best Rate — A San Diego Balcony & Deck Repair, we specialize in both creating and restoring a wide variety of outdoor projects. Not sure if a repair will do or if you need to start from the ground up? As experts in providing quality balcony and deck repair, our team can provide an in-depth analysis of your property as well as your deck’s current condition to come up with a plan that fits both your design and budgetary needs. We’re well versed in the market’s top  brands, materials, and designs, and can help provide the best recommendations and solutions for your home. Let’s explore some of the most popular options…

 The Pros & Cons of Composite Decking

Composite decking is one of the most low maintenance options out there. It’s much less resistant to fading, degradation, and wood rot (a deck’s worst enemy), and doesn’t require the sanding and sealing that traditional wood decks require.  That’s right — no sanding, and no staining, and no splinters — but, it does require some basic cleaning with a soft bristle brush and deck cleaner on a semi-annual basis… so you’re not completely off the hook. Composite  also resists insect damage and many brands offer designs made with eco-friendly and recycled materials.

So, what’s the catch?  In comparison to wood decking material, composite is pretty pricey… in fact up to 20% more than wood.  On average,  a wood deck  will cost around $16,000 while a composite deck will cost closer to $20,000.  Of course, this will vary based on demand, but in general you can expect to pay quite a bit more for composite materials. And, because composite material is made from plastic film and fibers, composite often lacks the natural warmth and grain pattern of real wood.

 Popular Composite Decking Options 

When composite first hit the market there were only one or two manufacturers, but if you done any research recently,  the market is a lot more crowded these days. Feeling torn and don’t know where to start? We can help guide you around the brand and materials that will work best for you. Best Rate offers free estimates and we calso carry several popular composite deck brands, including:

Cali Bamboo

San-Diego based company Cali Bamboo uses recycled bamboo fibers in place of wood fibers  which makes this a sustainable, eco-friendly choice  (in a range of modern colors) which is also incredibly resistant to moisture absorption.

Trex

Trex is the O.G. in the composite decking world. Since the early nineties, they’ve cornered the market with their eco-friendly decking, which is made almost entirely from recycled materials (95%). These materials are also carefully processed to make sure you receive only the highest level of quality and performance. Most professionals agree this type of decking performs better than wood and requires much less maintenance which helps to lower your cost over time and helps the environment!

Fiberon

Another sustainable option, Fiberon boards may be synthetic but they might fool you! The warm tones and grain patterns mimic that of genuine hardwoods, just without the fading, warping and rot you get with the real thing.

The Pros & Cons of Composite Decking 

There’s something about the look and feel of natural wood that’s hard to beat. Yes, it’s prone to wood rot, and insect damage…and it requires yearly TLC, but many just love the real thing. We get it. It’s hard to compete with the natural warmth and appeal of organic materials.

At Best Rate, we can provide you with a variety of wood grains to choose from. You may be surprised, but choosing just the right wood grain can add a whole new feel to your outdoor spaces.  Wood decking is often less expensive than its composite cousins, but you may want to crunch a few numbers around the cost of upkeep before you make a final decision. In addition to regular wear and tear, wood decks are also more prone to warping and splintering, and can cause an increase in fire concerns.

To really keep the natural beauty of your wood deck (and to protect your investment)  you’ll need to  powerwash, stain and seal your natural surfaces at least once a year, or more frequently, depending on your climate or due to unforeseen seasonal storms.

The good news is, Best Rate is here to help when it comes to upkeep. We not only build and repair decks, we also offer restaining, resealing, refinishing, as well as powerashing and cleaning services.

At San Diego Balcony & Deck Repair we commonly use:

• Cedar
• Douglas Fir
• Redwood
• Tropical hardwoods

Deck Assessments

No matter what you choose, we can not stress enough the importance of routine care for your decks and  balconies. It’s critical you keep an eye out for any structural issues. If you find something wrong, you can trust Best Rate for deck repair, rebuilds, and new constructions. Throughout the year, make sure you check for some common signs of rot (especially if you currently have a wood deck), which include:

• Termite damage. Discolored drywall, buckling, maze-like patterns, or crumbling or damaged wood.
• Structural issues. Leaning, cracking or parts which may be pulling away from the foundation.
• Wood rot. Splintering, cracking, discoloration or crumbling.

About Our Team

We’ve been serving San Diego since 2002 and have over 1,000 happy customers. At Best Rate Repair we pride ourselves on getting the job done right and on time. Our team of contractors and estimators are Deck Evaluation Certified by the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA). We’re proud to say that more than half of our business comes from client referrals. Get started on your composite decking project by calling our team today.