decking materials Which One should I buy Pt6

Very little maintenance. A clear finish can be applied to preserve the natural color. If you opt not to apply a finish/sealer, the wood will weather to a silver patina.

Performance

Hardwoods like Mahogany naturally resist wear, splintering and rot . Durable wood for outdoor use. No blemishes.

Installation

Mahogany is a hard wood, so drilling a pilot hole is necessary, then you can nail or screw down the boards. If you don't drill first, you risk the possibility of splitting the wood. Screws are the preferred way, because this will eliminate nail heads from popping up or boards loosening in time.

Space 5/4x6 boards a full 1/4 inch apart. In wet climates, add 1/16 inch to your spacing.

Conclusion

· Mahogany lumber is as hard as oak and perhaps has the least amount of knots out of any other species of deck woods.

Plastic Decking- My Favorite- see eon decking page 1

Factors to consider in selecting the appropriate material
The main factors to consider in selecting the appropriate material for your Deck are:

· Initial cost

· Maintenance effort & cost

· Length of service life

· Cosmetics-appearance of the floor (real wood, artificial wood, other texture, etc.)

· Color

· Special features such as being waterproof to protect area below .

To select the material appropriate for you, just start with the feature that you simply cannot live with or without. In other words start to eliminate what you want and what you are comfortable in not having. This will initially creat a conflict or an impasse pretty quickly because you cannot have it all (all at once.) Bottom Line : You will have to decide where to compromise and what's important for you and your family.

Use this following chart for quick comparison of composites:

Summary of what's Available Review
Wood	• Real wood- some are very pricey, such as mahogany. • Wood weathers and changes color-requires regular staining, pressure washing, to maintain a color . Otherwise you will end up with the naturally weathered color look. • Maintenance costs time and/or money and can add to the initial cost of the Deck • Wood in time needs to be replaced depending on climate and exposure.
Composite	• Costs usually more than most woods except for a few. • Generally lasts longer & lower maintenance cost and time than in wood. • Available in an array of decking colors have a long color life. • Variety of textures, such as embossed wood grain, grooved, smooth • Expansion: Composites will contract/expand with moisture content of the wood component and will be affected by the temperature of the plastic component • Tends to grow mold and mildew in the wood component & in time can be difficult to clean completely • Tends to stain- such as from spilled cooking grease etc. cleaning methods vary with the type of stain and the type of the wood component. • Looks- Most boards look artificial, not like wood, to most people •Composites are putting in preservatives to seal the surface to ensure longer life increasing the costs of certain composites. •Investigate what kind of preservatives are being used. Ask questions such as Will the chemicals or preservatives affect my child who plays on the deck? Etc.
Plastic	• Cost range recently of most composites are equal in price with plastic decking. So carefully make your cast comparisons and the best lines of composite decking. • Plastics boast long service life with strong warranties. • Minimal maintenance effort and cost • Maintains original look and color long term • Variety of deck colors and wood textures • Expansion & contraction with temperature-can vary on the ends by ¼ or 3/8. • Looks artificial to some and real to others. After all it’s not real wood but looks nice.
Metal	• Cost range tends to be highest • Minimal maintenance effort and cost • Looks commercial but it’s original look and color are long term

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