Planning Areas Before Installing a New Deck, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the primary planning areas you should be considering if you’re installing a new deck on your property. The proper preparation here will keep you from dealing with costly repairs or upkeep issues in the future, plus bring you a quality deck that lasts decades.

At Utah Fence Warehouse, our deck and railing services include comprehensive assistance with deck installation at your discretion. If you desire it, our team will install your entire deck from top to bottom, leaving you free for other tasks. In other cases, we’re happy to sit back and provide tips and expertise for your DIY installation. In today’s part two, we’ll dig into the most popular deck materials you’ll have to choose between, plus one important installation consideration to think about.

PVC or Composite

For homeowners who want the absolute lowest amount of maintenance possible in the future for their deck, PVC and composite decking are the best options. These are both materials that naturally resist various elements, particularly water, helping limit and flooding or leaking risks that may be present in the area.

In addition, PVC and composite styles can be chosen in any color format quite easily. They’re also flexible in designs, allowing for curves and arcs that you may not be able to achieve with other materials. Finally, they’re so popular in large part because they require virtually no major maintenance to last for decades.

Wood Options

For those looking for a more natural feel and appearance, on the other hand, plus a lower initial cost, natural wood materials are also a viable choice for your deck. These are treated to make them insect-repellant and weather-resistant, though you will have to perform tasks like re-staining and painting over the years as the deck ages and its protection wears down.

A benefit of wood is the variety of choices it comes with. You can use lumber, cedar and mahogany, plus several other potential options. Pressure-treated wood, as we noted, is the most common choice here.

Using Screws Vs. Nails

A common debate when installing a deck, even among some contractors, is whether to use screws or nails for the securing aspects of the project. Screws are known to be better for fastening the deck to the frame – this is mostly due to their high tensile strength. Nails, however, are generally considered superior for framing and structural construction, including areas like attaching joists. This is an area where our team will be happy to provide recommendations based on the materials you’re using, the layout and other related factors.

For more on installing a new deck on your property, or to learn about any of our fence contractors or fencing supply services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.