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5 Things to Consider When Building a Deck

5 Things to Consider When Building a Deck

5 Things to Consider When Building a Deck

Product catalog summary
Introduction
Building a deck involves long-term planning beyond initial aesthetics. Considerations include maintenance, costs, and the impact on lifestyle and property value. This guide outlines key decision points to help choose the right decking material for your needs.
1. Material Options
  • Capped Composite Decking: Offers low maintenance with soap-and-water cleaning, resistance to fading, staining, scratching, and mold. It has a natural wood-grain finish and is environmentally friendly. However, it is often more expensive.
  • Wood Decking: Provides a traditional feel and is affordable. It is easy to work with but prone to rotting, splitting, and requires regular maintenance like painting or sealing.
  • Early-Generation Composite Decking: Combines wood and plastic, offering durability and resistance to rot and splinters. It requires periodic cleaning and can fade or stain.
  • PVC (Vinyl) Decking: Made entirely of plastic, it is low maintenance and resistant to fading and staining. However, it is not environmentally friendly and can be more expensive.
2. Labor Considerations
Installation costs can account for 20-50% of the total deck cost. Composites are easy to handle, while PVC may require professional installation due to customization challenges.
3. Maintenance
Consider the long-term maintenance costs, including cleaning and repairs. Composite decking may have a higher initial cost but can be more cost-effective over time compared to wood, which requires regular upkeep.
4. Design Options
Some materials offer more design flexibility, such as curves and multiple colors. Choose based on your priorities, whether it's design, value, or a balance of both.
5. Return on Investment (R.O.I.)
Eco-friendly and low-maintenance decks can add value to your home, making them attractive to potential buyers.
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Catalog excerpts

5 Things to Consider When Building a Deck-1

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUILDING A DECK THINKING OF A DECK? Think ahead. visit trex.com or call 1-800-BUY-TREX Most deck planning starts with the usual photo-op in mind, including hammocks, umbrella drinks, and giant friend-filled fiestas. Yet rarely do such plans budget for the five-year experience. Namely, keeping up with the restaining and the water sealing. Dealing with leftover blotches from sunscreen spatters and red wine spills. And what about a summer’s worth of fade marks where the table and doormat used to be? When it comes to building a deck, it’s worth thinking long-term. And that’s where this cheat sheet comes in. While some costs are simple (a 35-dollar board is a 35-dollar board), others cost you things more precious…like a lazy lunch with the kids, time with the paper and straight-up patience. Herewith, we cover the five decision points to help you choose what’s right for you, your backyard and your budget. (Not to mention your weekends.) © 2014 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Trex®, the Trex logo and Trex Transcend® are either federally registered trademarks, trademarks or trade dress of Trex Company, Inc., Winchester, Virginia.

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5 Things to Consider When Building a Deck-2

MATERIAL What’s it made of? CAPPED COMPOSITE DECKING The ultimate in backyard decking, capped composite is wrapped in a tough-as-nails finish that keeps the beauty in and the work out. PROS The cost of building a deck can be 20-50% labor, so it’s important to consider whether or not this is a DIY project or one best left to the pros. + soap-and-water maintenance + fade, stain, scratch and mold resistant + natural wood-grain finish and – often costlier board-for-board Some of the hidden costs may surprise you, however. For instance, composites are as easy to handle as wood and usually require...

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*Prices are pre-tax. They exclude delivery charges and customs duties and do not include additional charges for installation or activation options. Prices are indicative only and may vary by country, with changes to the cost of raw materials and exchange rates.