Amish Deck Materials Comparison
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Composite vs. Wood Decking: A Homeowner’s Guide to Materials
When planning a new deck with Sunny Ridge Construction, the most significant choice you face is the decking material itself. This decision affects everything: the initial decking cost, the look and feel of your finished space, and the amount of time you’ll spend on deck maintenance over the years.
Drawing on our Amish construction expertise, we work with both natural wood and advanced composite materials. Our priority is to help you select the material that best matches your budget, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle, ensuring your deck project is a success for decades to come.
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The Timeless Appeal of Natural Wood Decking
Wood decking offers a classic, natural aesthetic that is hard to replicate. The warmth, texture, and natural scent of wood remain highly popular. We primarily work with pressure-treated lumber and premium cedar decking.
Pressure-Treated Lumber
Pressure-treated lumber is the most affordable option, making it excellent for budget-conscious projects. Aesthetically, it is generally uniform and can be stained any color. However, its lifespan is typically shorter (15–25 years), and it requires diligent maintenance. This maintenance involves annual or bi-annual cleaning, sealing, and/or staining to prevent warping, cracking, and splintering.
Cedar Decking
Cedar is a mid-range choice, a step up from treated lumber due to its natural resistance to decay. It features warm, rich tones and a distinctive grain. If left untreated, it naturally weathers to a beautiful silver-gray patina. Cedar boasts a longer lifespan of 20–30 years, as its natural oils provide excellent rot resistance. While it requires annual sealing to maintain its original color, it is generally less prone to warping than treated wood.
While wood decks have a lower initial cost, the time and expense required for sealing, staining, and cleaning every few years add up, making the long-term cost higher than many homeowners realize.
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The Evolution of Man-Made Decking Materials
Modern homeowners have two primary low-maintenance choices: traditional composite and 100% PVC.
Composite Decking (Trex, TimberTech, Deckorators)
Composite decking is engineered from a blend of wood fibers and recycled plastics. It is the perfect choice for clients seeking low maintenance, as it requires no staining or sealing. It is also highly durable, offering excellent resistance to fading, stains, scratching, and pests. Most composite products come with industry-leading warranties of 25 to 50 years, giving them a much lower lifetime cost than wood.
PVC Decking
PVC decking is made from 100% cellular polyvinyl chloride and contains no wood fibers. This distinct composition gives it specific, powerful advantages.
Impervious to Water
Because it contains no organic materials, PVC is impervious to mold and mildew, making it the ideal choice for decks built around pools, docks, or in heavily shaded, damp areas.
Lightweight
PVC boards are lighter than both wood and traditional composites, which can simplify the deck framing requirements for some installations.
Superior Rigidity
While some early PVC had issues, modern products are extremely rigid and highly scratch-resistant.
While the initial cost of both composite and PVC decking is higher than wood, the savings on maintenance materials and labor easily offset this expense over the deck's lifespan.
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Visualize Your Perfect Deck Today
Ready to compare colors, textures, and layouts for your specific yard? We want you to feel completely confident in your material choice.
We are happy to share links and guidance on utilizing the 3D deck builder tool from our key suppliers. Contact Sunny Ridge Construction today, and we will walk you through the process, answer your questions, and provide a detailed, itemized quote for your dream deck!
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