Choosing a Material for Decking in West Chester, PA

by | Dec 21, 2017 | Home Improvement

A deck is a great way to build a gathering place for your friends and family; it’s also an affordable way to expand the size of your house. If you build a deck onto your house, you’ll essentially add another room to your house. You can grill there, smoke food, and enjoy the great weather. You’ll also be able to put a canopy over the roof and make it even more versatile; with some heaters, a deck can even be useful during the winter. However, you need to make sure you are building a deck with the right materials. There are three basic options for your decking. You can choose standard lumber, treated lumber, or composite. Each different type of material has its own advantages.

Lumber Options

Lumber comes in two basic varieties: standard lumber and pressure-treated lumber. Pressure-treated lumber is lumber that has been treated with preservatives and pesticides. The preservatives help it to repel water and mildew; it will also fight decay, which means it will last longer as material for decking in West Chester, PA. Oftentimes, it is treated with pesticides as well to repel termites.

At Walter & Jackson Inc., you can find pressure-treated lumber for your deck. You can also choose standard lumber. This is lumber that has not been treated. You will need to seal this lumber against moisture and pests. It is an extra step, but it is often the more cost-effective option.

Composite

Composite decking is made out of many different materials that are bonded together to look and feel like natural wood. Composite has advantages since it is made to be water-resistant, stain-resistant, and pest-resistant. Pests such as termites will not be attracted to composite materials. Therefore, it will be naturally protected from their destruction.