Nothing can give a home mores living space in such a short time, and at such a low cost, than a deck. This is because decks can be built at ground level, as a separate entity away from the home or as high in the air as the structure for which it is being built. The materials used to build a deck are easy to manipulate into the type of space you want and can also accommodate a wide variety of accessories such as low voltage lighting and plants.

Types of Decks

1. Standard

An outdoor patio-styles deck is usually connected to the home in some manner. Usually off the kitchen, living area or bedroom this deck is an extension of the home and built on the same level for easier access. The main activities include barbecuing, relaxing and recreational activities like playing cards and entertaining.

2. Destination Deck

This is a special place that is built away from the home in a quiet area of the property. This could be a gazebo-style deck with a roof or just open to the trees. It is usually secluded and sometimes vegetation or walls are used to achieve privacy. In many cases a special walkway of wood or stones leads to this deck.

3. Connector Decks

This type of decking is actually a series of decks joined by walkways or other decking. Some designs include multi-level decks or a succession of decks that lead down to a wharf or dock.

Deck Materials and Design

A deck is a system of parts which work together much like a house frame except, unlike house framing, the deck frame should be made with pressure-treated wood. You need a foundation to rest the components on which may be a cement block in moderate climates or a concrete footing that extend extends below the frostline wintry areas.

Deck posts for a low deck are usually 4"x4" pressure-treated but for decks higher above ground the building codes in most areas require 6"x 6" posts. The deck beams are the heavy-duty frame and will be supported horizontally on the posts. Deck joists are placed in special galvanized joist hangers horizontally spaced every 12", 16" or 24." This is the foundation for the decking planks. In most cases this is how a deck structure in constructed by decking contractors.

Decking Boards

Once the framework is completed there are a few choices for decking, from the softwood which makes up the frame to exotic hardwoods and engineered products.

1. Pressure-Treated Softwood

Pressure-treated spruce or pine is a good, cheap decking if regular treatments or staining is carried out. Warping is always a problem but a good frame should hold this in check. Two great things about treated softwood is that you can make it any color you want and, if one board is dmaged, it is easy and cheap to replace it.

2. Cedar and Redwood

Because of the natural oils both cedar and redwood are great choices for decking but they are expensive. You can treat them to retain the beautiful colors or let them go to a natural silver. The key here is “maintenance-free”

3. Hardwoods

Frightfully expensive, teak and other exotic hardwoods have formed the decks for sailing ships for a millennium or more. The upside is that the frame will rot out long before the decking.

4. Wood Composites

Wood composite is becoming very popular as a decking material. A combination of wood fiber and vinyl makes this material very durable and it is made to mimic real wood planks. Wood composite decking material resists warping, shrinkage, or splitting which makes it a cut above pressure-treated softwood and worth the extra expense. In addition it is virtually maintenance-free and available in a wide variety of shades.

5. Vinyl Decking

Like wood composite decking vinyl decking material looks like real wood and is available in as many colors. Unlike the composites vinyl decking material won't fade or soak in heat in direct sunlight, which makes bare-foot walking uncomfortable. Most vinyl products are made from two layers. The first is an outer polyvinyl chloride (PVC ) and contain a UV inhibitor, typically titanium dioxide to prevent fading. And the inner layer, which is thicker, is PVC with compounds to increase strength and durability. In terms of price many vinyl products are around the price of wood composites.

For more information decking contact.