Deck it Out

A Guide to Outdoor Flooring

By Marie Doyon

When summer rolls around, with its warm breezes and late sunsets, it’s hard to stay inside. Creating functional outdoor living spaces is a wonderful way to enjoy the fresh air and lush greenery. Decking is the foundation for an outdoor space, but with so many options out there it can be hard to know which material to choose. Andy Jozefowicz of Williams Lumber & Home Centers helps us navigate the pros and cost of different decking options.

Wood

Treated lumber is the most affordable decking option. The trade-off for your up-front savings is the time (and money) spent on annual maintenance like staining and waterproofing. Thankfully, arsenic-treated wood is a thing of the past, but that also means pressure-treated decks don’t last as long as they used to. Cedar, with its beautiful amber color and natural rot- and pest-resistance, is a slightly more expensive “upgrade” for individuals who don’t want the chemicals in treated lumber. But because of the lack of preservatives, cedar decking also needs regular maintenance. Due to western wildfires, most cedar is now imported, driving prices up.

Composite

Composite decking, made from pressed wood and plastic, has exploded in popularity since its introduction in the ’90s. While more expensive than wood, this practical option is consistently low-maintenance, scratch-, mold-, and fade-resistant, and available in a wide array of colors and textures to create any look you want.

Hardwood

With their rich colors and elegant patina, tropical hardwoods add character to any setting. Though this is the most expensive decking option, exotic hardwood is rot-, moisture-, and pest-resistant and requires less maintenance than cedar or treated lumber. Because of their density, exotic hardwoods often have to be pre-drilled before being fastened, adding to the cost of construction. Ipe, Mahogany, and Garapa, are all popular species and come in various cuts.

Williamslumber.com