Deck or Patio Builders

Basics for a new deck

A well-designed deck can easily be a home´s most attractive feature. Building a deck expands the possibilities for enjoying your yard by opening it up for dining and entertaining. A deck specialist or carpenter can help you with the design and construction for the deck of your dreams.

Deck Materials

Decks can be built out of a variety of materials, which fall into several main categories:

Wood with natural rot resistance
Wood chemically treated for rot resistance
Synthetic materials made to resemble wood

Type of Lumber	Material	Description	Maintenance
Naturally rot resistant wood	Cedar, Redwood, Cypress	Handsome, structurally strong woods Resistant to dry rot Easier to work with than treated wood Soft, easy to dent and mark up Use good and better grades of wood for longevity	Refinish occasionally to prevent damage form moisture, sun, and insects
Chemically treated, or pressurized, wood	Pine or Fir treated with chemical preservatives	Less expensive than natural woods Artificially resistant to decay (check chemicals used to avoid hazards to health or environment) Look for a label that indicates the wood is kiln dried	Reseal annually
Synthetic lumber	Plastic, Vinyl, Wastewood and Rubber (many use recycled materials)	Plastics: Made from recycled plastics. Variety of colors, and does not need painting Vinyl: Similar to plastic and comes in white and other colors Wood-polymer lumber: Made from waste wood and recycled plastic and resembles wood in appearance. It can be stained or painted Rubber lumber: Made of plastic and old tires. It is durable and stands up to water, insect and sun damage. It’s only available in three colors, and the color is not guaranteed to last.	Synthetic lumber is relatively maintenance free, other than occasional washing.

Use Wood for Structural Support

Real wood must be used for the structural support of your deck. Pressure-treated wood is the strongest. Synthetic materials don’t have the strength or flexibility needed for structural support. When designing your deck, keep in mind that naturally rot-resistant wood can be used in combination with treated or synthetic lumber. Treated lumber is generally cheapest and synthetic lumber the most expensive of the three types of building material.

Don't forget to qualify your contractor

In the excitement of designing and building a project, it's easy to overlook doing the basic research before signing a contract with your builder. Make sure all licensing and insurance as required by your state is current and in good standing. Ask for references, then drive by local projects so you can see how the deck has held up. Read the contract carefully and make sure you get your questions answered before work begins.