by Rosi Lehr

Created on: January 29, 2010

Deck Boards - What to Look For

At some point, most homeowners will invest in and build a deck or outdoor area. However, there are so many different types of deck boards available that it can become overwhelming. Picking the right material is an important part of the decking process for several reasons. The boards you select will determine how long the deck will last, whether you will have to treat the deck for insects, mold or fungus, if it will need to be built away from direct sun exposure, and the aesthetics and strength of the deck. Let’s examine the different materials and what to look for.

The most common deck boards are pressure treated wood boards. This is also the least expensive but the lifespan for this material is only 5-10 years depending upon the environment. Pressure treated lumber also emit some nasty outgases of chemicals to living creatures and its surroundings. Due to the deeply degraded look of aged pressure treated decking, the likelihood of replacement in 10 years is high. In the long run, the cost factor does go up as labor and materials will have to be replaced, creating more work and materials at a future date.

A growing industry is the composite decking and PVC decking industry. The composite decking industry is a fairly new industry and is a mix of plastic and wood dust. The problem with this is the durability and strength deteriorates over time. It is because of the lack of structural integrity that joists cannot be made of composite. The increase in lawsuits and bankruptcy of different composite companies is a telltale sign of problems to come.

PVC decking has similar problems. Made of Polyvinyl Chloride, PVC decking is just manufactured plastic with toxic byproducts. Dioxin (potent carcinogen), ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride are made in the production of PVC and causes health problems. Some documented problems of PVC plastic are neurological damage, birth defects, impaired child development, endocrine disruption, endometriosis, immune system damage, reproductive damage and cancer. In fact, this is one reason why Target is phasing out the use of this plastic material. There is a lot of good information out there on the hazards to you and your environment.

Exotic decking is also a growing industry and one that is sustainable. Unfortunately, this industry has a bad rap in the last few years for forest destruction. The truth is that, in reality, sustainable forestry can be an asset to forests as it creates a demand

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