Deckbuilding time arrives with spring!

The warm weather has started, the grill is thawed out from the pile of snow in your backyard, and you have the itch to do some backyard celebrating. It is the dawn of the deck construction and remodeling season; embrace it!

Treated Lumber Materials

This is the inexpensive route. No matter what option you decide on, the actual unseen frame will consist of "green treated" lumber. This is lumber that has been treated with a combination of chemicals to make is resistant to the elements of nature. The biggest drawback to treated materials is revealed with time. As the sun beats down on treated products that are unstained, they begin to grey and slowly "burn" under the UV rays. The problem can be solved with routine staining, but treated products do not necessarily stain well.

Cedar Lumber Materials

Cedar is a beautiful, naturally resilient wood. It is rich with redish tones and takes to stain very well for an even bolder color. It is in the middle of the price range between composite and treated products. Unstained, it deals with similar drawbacks to treated products but retains a natural wood beauty that green treated products lose through the chemical process. For a truly beautiful deck that you never have to stain, which will last for years and years with nothing more than minor fading, research composite decking products.

Composite Materials

Composite materials are as close to maintenance-free as you can get. The price is about three times as much as treated products, but the value gained is nearly unmeasurable. Never again worry about slivers, routine staining, greying, or the other typical lumber products. There are a plethora of reasons that composite materials are well worth the additional cost, if the funds are available. Brands such as Trex, Evergrain, and Timbertech offer a range of sizes, colors, and resources for the builder, designer, and homeowner.

There are many resources for design ideas as well as additional design ideas for post lights, balusters, and railing selections. Look at resources from the internet, your friends' decks, and by simply driving around. Any excuse to get outside and get creative. Enjoy spring while preparing for your backyard project.