Tips on Decking Material Selections

Aug 03, 2016

Adding a deck to a home is a popular way to increase outdoor living space to entertain guests or enjoy the sounds of nature. J&B Construction offers tips on how to choose the right deck material for your home.

“There are a variety of deck materials from which to choose. Before planning for and designing your deck, take into consideration your budget, the color you want, the durability desired, and how much maintenance you want to do,” advised Wendy Cline, owner of J&B Construction.

Wood: Wood decks are the most popular decking choice because they are durable, strong, and have a classic look that compliments any home. The price and lifespan vary depending on the wood. “Pressure treaded pine is less expensive, but it typically needs to be replaced after about 10 to 15 years,” said Wendy. “On the other side of the spectrum are tropical hardwoods such as IPE. They last for upwards of 30 years, but they also are normally more costly.” Wood decks also need additional maintenance, as they are prone to cracking, rotting, warping and staining.

Composite: Composite decks are an environmentally friendly combination of recycled plastics and waste wood fibers. Still carrying the wood look, composite decks are available in a variety of colors to compliment any home. They are long lasting and less work to maintain, only requiring an annual scrub to prevent mildew. However, composite decks are typically more expensive than most wood decks. “Even though they can be more expensive, in the long run, homeowners will recover the additional costs since there is less maintenance required,” Wendy said.

Plastic: Plastic decks are best for resisting the harshest elements of nature without staining or fading. They have a relatively long lifespan with low maintenance, only requiring a seasonal cleaning. “One drawback is they don’t have the classic wood look, which can sometimes clash with wood or stone homes,” said Wendy. Plastic decks can also be prone to sagging, so it is important to make sure it is built on a sturdy support structure.

Aluminum: Aluminum decks provide a tough, nonslip surface with a modern look that is maintenance free. While durable and long lasting, it is usually more costly compared to other materials. “With an aluminum deck, you won’t have to worry about cleaning or replacing broken or splintered pieces. An aluminum deck is in it for the long haul,” Wendy said.

“No matter what material you choose, J&B Construction can assist you in creating the perfect outdoor oasis for the whole family to enjoy,” she said.

Enjoy Peace Of Mind

The only complaint I have is when I have J&B do my roof in another 30 years or so, is Dave their sales man (a great guy) would not guaranty I could get the same great crew I had this time. They did a fantastic job. Much better than the last roofing company did. A nice bunch of guys. Did a very nice job cleaning up. I'd give them 10 stars but 5 is the limit. If you need a roof done this is the company you want to do it. One more point I need to make. The guys that did the chimney flashing are artists. I went up on the roof when they were done and was very pleased with not only the roofing job but the sculptured sheet metal work. It's kind of a shame it's on the roof and not hanging on the family room wall :). You get the point. Hire em. You'll like em.

Dave H

We live in a historic designated neighborhood and recently had our 30 year wood shingle roof replaced with another wood roof and new gutters. From Day 1 of the project to the final day, the entire team was responsive, professional, and very competent. When some minor changes were proposed by us they quickly and effortlessly complied. After going through this experience with J&B, I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a roof and gutter replacement, whether it be a simple or complicated project.

John Lamb

J & B did an amazing job from start to finish. The initial meeting at my home took place exactly at the time that was agreed upon and Scott was thorough in his explanations and transparent about costs. When the time came to begin the project, the team that showed up was friendly, professional and timely in getting the project done. The cleanup afterward was such that it looked like they hadn't been there at all. The roof looks great, there were no surprises and Scott came by to inspect the work and explain the warranty upon job completion. I would highly recommend them.

Kenneth Simons

My neighbor had their roof replaced and I was really impressed with the speed, carefulness and quality of the work I saw. Asked her for her experience and she told me she would highly recommend J & B. I called Scott to set an appointment. He showed up on time and was very thorough in his assessment, also letting me know about some other issues and advise on where to get help. J & B is a fantastic company to deal with - their people are incredibly careful about the work they do, clean up and leave the property in the same condition as when they started, were careful about plants and the house, and work very efficiently. The office staff is great about following up, checking in and very responsive to anything that comes up. I was happy with the price charged. If you are looking to replace your roof, you should be calling J & B to get the job done.

David W.

We had work done by the J&B team at a commercial property and were very pleased with the whole process. Their estimator met us onsite and communicated with us every step of the way. They went over the scope in detail and the work performed exceeded what we were expecting. They found some additional concerns during the installation that were quickly addressed and communicated to us and to our surprise, there was not an additional charge. Our tenants reached out to share how respectful the employees were during the installation and how clean everything was left afterwards. As the project was wrapped up, we were walked through the completion paperwork and provided the warranty information. Very impressed with the professionalism of this company and would not hesitate to refer their services or use them again in the future.

Jessie C.