square foot, redwood also requires regular maintenance, so factor that in when choosing your deck materials. Composites Made from wood fibers and recycled plastics, composite decking boards are an increasingly popular decking material. At $7 to $10 per square foot, they are spendier than cedar and pressure- treated wood, but they make up for their higher price point in being low maintenance, pest resistant, resistant to rotting and warping, and all-around indestructible. Capped composites are treated with PVC to resist mold and pests and are generally more expensive. Composites come in numerous varieties that look and feel like real wood, so they do need to be cleaned with a deck wash every few years to avoid mold buildup. Some premium composites come with a 25-year warranty.
popular budget-friendly decking material. The material is also chemically treated to resist rot, mold and insects; however, less- toxic preservatives are now used in its treatment. Pressure-treated wood is often made with lower- grade woods that will crack and warp over time, which will require ongoing maintenance. What saves you in the beginning may not be worth it if you want something that is easier and less costly to maintain down the road. Cedar Lightweight, strong, and readily available, cedar is renowned for its quality, beauty, and its trademark pleasant, woodsy aroma. Ringing in at $3.75 to $5 per square foot, cedar is a surprisingly affordable, high-quality deck material. Cedar is loaded with tannins and oils that resist pests and rot naturally, but you will want to stain and seal your cedar to protect the wood from cracks and splinters, and to preserve its color — without protection, it can turn gray.
simple DIY deck design using the most affordable lumber will likely cost $8 to $10 per square foot of deck area, while more elaborate designs will be costlier the more features you add. However, the economy of a fact that you’re DIY-ing your deck is paramount to your project cost, as hiring a builder would double or triple the cost of your project. Depending on your design and budget goals, the economy of doing it yourself can buy you a bigger design and/or higher-end materials.
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Materials
There are pros and cons to all kinds of decking materials, from cost-effective wood composites to sturdy, durable hardwoods. Some cheaper materials will save you in the beginning but can be costly in the long run if they’re made from inferior materials that require maintenance and money down the road. No matter what you choose, you’ll want to get the full picture of what to expect before loading up on lumber. Pressure-treated wood The poster child of low-budget deck materials, pressure-treated wood usually runs between $1.50 and $2.50 per square foot. Pressure-treated wood is what you see on about 75 percent of decks across the country — certainly a
Vinyl
A departure from wood-based decking, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is new to the market and has quickly become a popular choice for DIY- deckers everywhere. PVC contains zero wood content and is virtually maintenance free. At about $7.50 per square foot for hollow core and $9.50 for solid core, PVC is a little spendier upfront, but it will pay for itself in the long run — some premium solid-core varieties even come with a 25-year warranty.
Redwood
Similar to cedar, redwood is lightweight, strong, and easy to work with and makes a classic, classy choice for your DIY-deck dream come true. Redwood is a more expensive choice and is only available on the West Coast, so only consider it if it is within your reach, budget- and proximity- wise. Coming in at $6 to $8 per
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