Whether you’re about to start digging or in the design and planning stage, it’s important to know all your decking options before breaking ground. The days of choosing between two or three wood species are long gone. With so many dock and decking materials available, how do you know what to choose? Each one offers different benefits depending on your design, usage, and budget. Depending on where you live in Peterborough & the Kawartha’s, some dock & decking materials are better suited for your area. Our staff have taken a detailed look at each.
Here’s everything you need to know about decking materials for your next project:
Cedar Decking
If a natural look is your top priority, you might consider using cedar. Expect a 15 to 20 year lifespan for a cedar deck that’s above ground level and in direct sunlight. This decking is high-maintenance and needs to be cleaned and resealed every year or two to preserve it’s natural, warm look, and extend it’s life. It can also get scratched easily by furniture or constant foot traffic as it’s a soft material. The cost of cedar decking is somewhere in the middle compared to other decking choices in Peterborough. We recommend using pressure treated sienna brown lumber instead, for a similar look with stronger durability at a lower cost.
Pressure Treated Lumber
Our pressure treated decking is environmentally safe Micro Pro. Despite the wide range of deck & dock building options in Peterborough, pressure treated lumber is still the most popular decking material sold at our store. It’s an affordable choice that’s easy to cut and build with nails or screws. Micro Pro Sienna has a warm brown colour and is treated with Micronized Copper Azole, a safe and registered wood preservative, making it ideal for decks & docks. Routine maintenance is necessary and can include power washing and staining every couple of years. The average budget for pressure treated decking projects is generally lower than building with other materials.
Composite Decking
Composite decking is one of the fastest growing decking materials sold at our store. If you’re looking for an incredibly low maintenance and waterproof material, you should consider MoistureShield composite decking. Your feet will thank you with its smooth, soft, splinter-less comfort and look of wood. MoistureShield composite decking is designed to last a lifetime as it won’t rot or twist, and it’s completely mold and mildew resistant design makes it perfect for docks. Not to mention it’s environmentally-friendly and made from 95% recycled content. Composite decking is more expensive compared to other decking options, but it’s durability pays off in the long run.
Building codes aren’t what they used to be.
Modern decks are designed to hold a lot of weight and withstand movement caused by frost. Here in Peterborough, footing specifications are different depending on where you live in the city. Before building your deck or dock, consult with the staff at Merrett Home Hardware Peterborough.
We offer FREE deck plans with complete material and hardware lists to make it easy for you to build your deck or dock yourself. Our decks can be built in any size you want, and we’ll supply you all the rental equipment you need to get your job done right!