08-14-2006, 05:59 PM
Wood - Southern Yellow Pine, Pressure Treated
Pros:
Least expensive
Easy to install
Cons:
Lots of maintenance to keep it looking good.
Splinters and checking.
Costs: Around $25 / sq ft for professional install
Wood - Ipe
Pros:
Holds up to anything
Minimal splintering and checking
Can stain every two years or let weather to grey color
Cons:
Harder to install
Price
Cost: Around $35 / sq ft or a bit higher for professional installation
Composite - Trex, et al
Pros:
Doesn't check or splinter
Easy to cut and work with
Comes in variety of colors
"Lower" maintenance
Cons:
Cost.
Possible mold issues - can be mitigated with occasional cleaning / sealing (once every few years)
Cost: Around $35 / sq ft or a bit lower for professional installation.
Plastic / Vinyl - EON, etc
Pros:
Doesn't check or splinter
Easy to cut and work with
Comes in variety of colors
Very low maintenance
Cons:
Cost.
Looks like siding (ie - really fake looking)
Cost: Around $35 / sq ft or a bit lower for professional installation.
NOTE: I am about to build a 20x20 deck and it will be using Trex. FWIW, I've found that labor accounts for about 60% of the price for quotes I've received.
- Shadow
Pros:
Least expensive
Easy to install
Cons:
Lots of maintenance to keep it looking good.
Splinters and checking.
Costs: Around $25 / sq ft for professional install
Wood - Ipe
Pros:
Holds up to anything
Minimal splintering and checking
Can stain every two years or let weather to grey color
Cons:
Harder to install
Price
Cost: Around $35 / sq ft or a bit higher for professional installation
Composite - Trex, et al
Pros:
Doesn't check or splinter
Easy to cut and work with
Comes in variety of colors
"Lower" maintenance
Cons:
Cost.
Possible mold issues - can be mitigated with occasional cleaning / sealing (once every few years)
Cost: Around $35 / sq ft or a bit lower for professional installation.
Plastic / Vinyl - EON, etc
Pros:
Doesn't check or splinter
Easy to cut and work with
Comes in variety of colors
Very low maintenance
Cons:
Cost.
Looks like siding (ie - really fake looking)
Cost: Around $35 / sq ft or a bit lower for professional installation.
NOTE: I am about to build a 20x20 deck and it will be using Trex. FWIW, I've found that labor accounts for about 60% of the price for quotes I've received.
- Shadow