When summer arrives, there’s nothing nicer than a weekend spent out on your garden decking. Whether you’re enjoying a meal, watching the kids play, or reading a book, it’s wonderful to have an outdoor oasis in your home.
If you’re looking to refinish your deck or even build a new one to take advantage of the summer months, you may be wondering where to shop. A wood flooring store may not be your first thought, but flooring experts also know a lot about garden decking, too!
Although wood has long been a popular material for decks, it can be difficult to care for, requiring regular refinishing and sealing to prevent water damage and discolouration. For that reason, many people have turned to composite materials for their garden decking needs.
Composite deck boards are a modern material specifically designed for the building of decks and other outdoor structures. They are created from lumber waste such as saw dust and recycled plastic material (generally from milk jugs and plastic bags). They are considered the environmentally friendly solution, as they are made from recycled and reclaimed materials and don’t require the harvesting of new wood.
Because of their high plastic content, composite deck boards are very water resistant and hold up well to the elements. They also don’t tend to discolour the same way natural wood will, though they can be scratched and stained.
One of the few complaints about composite boards is that they don’t really look or feel like wood. From a distance they give the appearance of a wooden deck, but up close their manufactured nature becomes readily apparent. They can also heat up faster in the sun, making them uncomfortable for walking barefoot, though they also don’t carry the risk of splintering.
Many people like composite decking because it’s specifically designed for outdoor projects. It’s easy to work with, and there’s lots of information to be found online about the best fasteners and construction practices to use if you want to do your own garden decking project.
Of course, the biggest advantage to composite decking is that when that first warm day of the year arrives, you can go straight out to your deck and enjoy it, rather than spending the first nice weekend on the time-consuming process of stripping and refinishing a wooden deck!
Talking with flooring experts will help you decide which composite decking boards are the best for your home. You can get advice on the best colors and finishes to compliment the color and style of your house, and how much to buy.
A backyard deck made of composite decking is a great investment for your home, sure to provide endless enjoyment in the spring and summer months for years to come. Don’t spend the summer cooped up indoors wishing you were enjoying the beautiful day. Now is a great time to get started on building or refinishing your deck!
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