Have you been considering a new deck for your property? If so, there are basically two different types of decks in Harrisburg that you will come across: wood and vinyl composite. Both materials certainly have their pros and cons, but in most cases, one will come out as the better choice for most homeowners. By taking the time to learn about the different types of materials that decks Harrisburg are commonly made of, you will be able to more easily determine the most appropriate choice for you and your property.
Longevity
When you consider the investment that you will put into your new deck, you certainly want to choose the deck that will last the longest. When comparing the longevity of a vinyl deck vs. a wooden deck, the vinyl one will certainly last longer. With wood, being a natural material, it will eventually begin to break down, especially if you don’t take the time to properly maintain the deck with sealant. In just a year or so, you will notice mold growth, cracking or splitting and possibly even areas where it is already starting to rot away. Wood will also fade due to the sun and other weather. Vinyl, which is more of a composite material, will be able to hold up to the elements just fine.
Maintenance
When it come to maintenance, if you have ever had a wooden deck, you know that maintaining it can be a constant battle. In addition to having to stain and seal it seasonally, at the very least, you also will need to examine it and check for things like rot, cracks and other things that could soon become problematic. If you find these things, you may need to replace the wood, which can make the coloring look out of place. New wood will have a different shade than weathered wood, even when you put stain on it. This could make your deck look unsightly.
Pests
Another thing that you will need to keep in mind when it comes to decks are pests. Wood decks are notorious for being the home of pests including carpenter ants, carpenter bees and more. You will need to spray for these pests by using a very strong pesticide, that could possibly be dangerous to pets and children. With a vinyl deck, you will never have to worry about pests because they simply don’t like the vinyl composite material.
As you can see, when you take into account maintenance, pests and longevity, vinyl composite decks are the clear winner. What about cost though? Cost can be a big factor for many people. Once again, you will find in most situations at least, that vinyl decks will be less expensive to build than wooden ones. With everything considered, vinyl decks are simply a better value overall.
