“Wood or composite?” This is one of the top questions homeowners ask when it comes to deciding deciding on the best type of decking for your next home project. At Best Rate — San Diego Balcony & Deck Repair, we can help restore your existing deck or help you decide on the design and materials for a brand new outdoor addition.
Best Rate will not only provide an in-depth analysis of your property or current deck condition, we can also help you choose deck material and provide recommendations and solutions to create your dream deck.
In general, when it comes to deck material there are two main categories:
- composite deck
- Wood decking Let’s explore both!
Composite Decks
Southern Californians are lucky to live in one of the world’s most temperate climates. While we tend to be light on rain, sun take a toll when it comes to rot. Luckily, composite is incredibly resistant to the fading, degradation, and general wear and tear of wood deck materials. In a nutshell… artificial decking materials means less overall maintenance, which leaves more room for leisure!
Pros of Composite Decking
- Safer – The composite deck materials we offer meet Southern California fire rating standards.
- Pest and rot resistant – Composite materials help eliminate damage due to termites and other pests and doesn’t hold moisture or grow mold like wood fibers do.
- Low maintenance – Because composite materials don’t require sanding, painting, or staining, maintenance costs are much lower.
- Environmentally friendly – Many composite decking materials are made from recycled plastics and other components.
Cons of Composite Decking
- Higher price point – As a rule, composite tends to be more expensive.
- Less organic – Composite materials have come a long way, but often lack the natural grain and appeal of real wood decking.
- Still requires regular maintenance – Even composite will still require some up-keep.
But, what’s even better… composite it’s not just for decks! Composite can be used for balconies, walls and other home projects as well. At Best Rate, we offer two popular composite options:
- Trex – an eco-friendly option which is almost entirely made from recycled materials (95%). These materials are also carefully processed to make sure you receive only the highest level of quality and performance. Most professionals agree this type of decking performs better than wood and requires much less maintenance which helps to lower your cost over time and helps the environment!
- fiberon – Another sustainable option, Fiberon boards may be synthetic but they might fool you! The warm tones and grain patterns mimic that of genuine hardwoods, just without the fading, warping and rot you get with the real thing.
Wood Decks
Who doesn’t love a natural wood deck? It’s hard to compete with the natural warmth and appeal of organic materials. At Best Rate, we provide you with a variety of wood grains to choose from which can add a unique aesthetic to your outdoor spaces. For a new deck, we most commonly use cedar, Douglas fir, redwood and tropical hardwoods.
Although, even pressure treated wood or decking surface that has undergone staining is prone to breakdown if not properly cared for. Wood decking will require a lot of TLC. To make sure you protect your investment you’ll need to regularly power wash, stain and seal your natural surfaces every one to two years.
Pros of Wood Decking
- Eco-friendly – Less material is typically needed, and old wood breaks down easily, so it’s naturally environmentally friendly.
- Lower cost – Vs composite the natural route is much more budget-friendly.
- More organic – A wooden deck offers a beautiful, natural feel.
Cons of Wood Decking
- high maintenance – Because even treated lumber and decking material is prone to wood rot, warping and insect damage, more upkeep is required.
- Can be hazardous – wood vs. composite tends to offer a bit less safety when it comes to fire and in high-fire zones, can increase fire concerns
Schedule a Deck Assessment
Most homeowners ask “should I go with real wood or stick with composite?” The good news is, we can help you with the upkeep of your beautiful new deck no matter what option you choose! Best Rate also provides the following upkeep and preventative services such as:
- Deck power wash and clean
- Deck re-staining
- Deck re-sealing
- Deck refinishing
Remember, whether you have composite or natural wood deck, it’s absolutely critical to have an annual assessment performed on your deck or balcony— especially if there’s been inclement weather or heat.
About Our Team
We’ve been serving San Diego since 2002 and have over 1,000 happy customers. At Best Rate Repair we pride ourselves on getting the job done right and on time. Our team of contractors and estimators are Deck Evaluation Certified by the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA). We’re proud to say that more than half of our business comes from client referrals. Get started on your composite decking project by calling our team today.
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