Most people end up putting far more effort than they’d like into maintaining their decking. It’s not because the weather suddenly got worse after they installed it, but because they chose the wrong material in the first place. They were too focused on aesthetics over durability. We all want our decking to look nice and inviting, but constantly battling erosion, rot, and termites can make your life a misery.
However, there’s no need for a trade-off between how your decking looks and how long it lasts. People who make this mistake are often just unaware of what their options are, which is why this guide shares several materials that combine both durability and style. Here are the essential things smart homeowners need to know about decking materials.
How Decking Materials Affect Longevity
Many homeowners overlook the impact of decking material choice in favour of how their decking will look when it’s first completed. They’re concerned with elements like the railings and lighting, while forgetting that these can easily be changed in the future. Replacing the core material, however, is more challenging and costly. Yet the wrong choice of material can easily warp or rot, rendering it unsightly, if not unsafe, without regular upkeep.
The material also plays a role in resistance to pests. However, the biggest impact is on the climate. This obviously varies based on geography, especially in diverse countries like Australia. Decking in a city like Darwin is subjected to constant heat and distinct wet and dry seasons, with monsoon-like rain in the former. This requires a much more robust material than decking in Cranbourne, where the temperature is milder and rain is frequent but gentler.
Balancing Aesthetics and Resilience
This is not to say that choosing the strongest material is all that matters. How the decking project looks when it’s finished is an understandable priority for homeowners. But the question you need to ask is how much effort are you willing to put in to keep it looking that way? That’s how you strike a balance.
To answer this properly, you’ll need to think about other sources of damage that could cause your decking to deteriorate. If you have kids who are always running around on it and bouncing basketballs, this is going to increase the amount of upkeep required. Let’s take a look at some popular decking materials and their qualities.
Popular Materials: Timber Decking
The traditional choice for outdoor decking is timber, which has an organic texture that is naturally very pleasing to the eye and looks timeless. It blends in well with greenery, and it’s also very versatile. It can be cut into all kinds of shapes, making it suitable for more complicated projects like a wraparound porch. It’s also easy to repair, as individual planks can usually be replaced.
The trouble with timber is that it requires a lot of maintenance. To retain its structural integrity and charm, it needs to be periodically cleaned, sealed and stained. In the long run, these costs may overtake the money you save by choosing timber, which is one of the most affordable options.
Popular Materials: Composite Decking
Composite decking is costlier than timber, but that’s because it retains the pleasing look of a natural material while benefiting from the strength of modern engineering. It is made by mixing wood fibres with recycled plastics, which helps keep insects away and prevents rot and splintering. Its resistance to these things means it requires less maintenance work than natural wood.
The use of recycled materials also makes it an environmentally friendly choice, in addition to being more cost-effective. Also, composite decking doesn’t just stay stronger for longer. It retains its colour, too. That means it doesn’t need staining or painting as frequently as many alternatives.
Popular Materials: Merbau Decking
Like timber, merbau is a natural wood. It is a hardwood that originates in Southeast Asia, and it’s known for being very strong and dense, in addition to its pleasing dark brown tone. Like other high-quality natural woods, it actually looks better with time. It also contains natural oils that keep pests and rot away. As natural materials go, it requires minimal maintenance.
Be warned, however, that tannin bleed can be an issue, and this can result in stains on other surfaces nearby, like house walls. But this can be prevented by sealing it. Beyond that, it doesn’t require much upkeep, but it is one of the most expensive options out there for decking.
Conclusion
Choosing the right material is just as essential to your decking project as designing how it looks and seeking planning permission. In fact, the material and the design are not really two separate things, because the right material will keep it looking better for longer. When you’re finalising your project details, be sure to give the choice of material due consideration, as it will impact your enjoyment of your decking in the long run.
