Wood, Composite, Metal, Concrete Decking Materials
Texas Remodeling Pros specializes in custom deck building in San Antonio. Let one of our expert designers help you with your new deck project.
Are cookie-cutter decks, not your style? We get it!
If you want to build a deck, you will find many types of decking materials. Each type has its own advantages, disadvantages, and prices.
And it’s well worth knowing your options and picking right: Chosen wisely, decks are worth every penny, with most homeowners seeing an average 72% return on their investment. If you want to add a deck to your home or fix up your current one, read this guide. It will help you choose the best type of decking for your climate and budget.
Wood Patios and Decks
Wood is a traditional, popular, and high-maintenance choice for decking. The material looks warm, feels cool underfoot, and smells great.
Pros: Wood stays cool in summer, is kind to your feet, and has a rustic look and feel, which goes well with many house styles.
Cons: Wood is the diva of decking. It demands annual cleaning, restaining, and resealing every three or four years. If you skip on maintenance, wood decks can stain, crack, rot, and warp. The next thing you know, you’ve got splinters in your feet and a chance of structural collapse.
- Cost: $15 to $75 per square foot, depending on the wood species, according to CostHelper.com.
- Life span: 10 to 30 years
———
Composite Patios and Decks
Composite, made from recycled plastic and waste wood fibers, is considered a lightweight, green choice for those who love the look of real wood decking but hate the idea of cutting down forests. The edges of some types of composite deck planks conceal fastening screws, giving the material a more natural look.
Working with an installer that is training and certified will ensure you get your warranty and best results for this investment.
Pros: It looks like wood without constant maintenance and is available in many designs, colors, and textures. Composite decking is easy to clean with soap and water and won’t rot.
Cons: It’s pricey, starting at almost twice the cost of wood, plus darker designs will show weathering over time. Composite decking can sag and, if placed in the shade, can host mold and mildew.
- Cost: $25 to $70 per square foot installed
- Life span: 20 to 50 years
- Best ROI of all options
———
Plastic/PVC/polyethylene Patios and Decks
It’s high-density plastic, so you don’t have to worry about splinters and high maintenance. On the other hand, no one will mistake plastic decks for wood decks.
Pros: Plastic is stain- and fade-resistant. A special coating makes plastic slip-resistant when covered with rain. It’s also low maintenance and doesn’t need sanding, staining, or painting.
Cons: Some brands tend to sag and can require a more extensive support structure than wood. Plastic can feel hot on bare feet in summer and looks like plastic.
- Costs: $25 to $50 per square foot installed
- Life span: 30 years or longer
———
Aluminum Patios and Decks
Anodized aluminum decks are sleek, durable, and won’t rot under rain or near lakes, rivers, and streams. Textured finishes on aluminum decking keep feet cool in summer and prevent slips after rain.
Pros: Aluminum is tough, low-maintenance (sweep and occasionally rinse with a garden hose), and resists mold and mildew. Aluminum pairs well with contemporary designs and maintains its color long after other decking material has faded.
- Cons: It’s a higher-priced decking material, and it looks like what it is—aluminum.
- Costs: $20 to $40 per square foot installed
- Life span: 50 years or longer
———
Concrete Patio with Wood or Composite Decking
A concrete patio paired with a wood or composite deck is a highly sought-after choice for outdoor living spaces. This combination seamlessly blends durability with natural charm, offering the best of both worlds.
The concrete patio serves as a sturdy, reliable foundation for outdoor furniture, grills, and other essentials, while the deck introduces warmth and a visually appealing aesthetic. Together, they create a harmonious transition between indoor and outdoor areas, providing homeowners with endless design possibilities to enhance their living experience.
Texas Deck Pros is serving our friends and neighbors in San Antonio, Hollywood Park, Hill Country Village, Alamo Heights, The Dominion, Terrell Hills, Boerne, Castle Hills, Balcones Heights, Fair Oaks Ranch, Garden Ridge, Scenic Oaks, Leon Valley, Schertz, Shavano Park, Converse, Cibolo, Bulverde, Helotes, Live Oak, and surrounding areas.
Call us today at 210-774-2666