In recent years, technology has advanced building materials to be more stylish, durable, and lower maintenance than ever. Today’s decking material alternatives offer unique and superior alternatives to traditional pressure-treated wood. Treat wood – which can last between 5-15 years depending on care – has many disadvantages that include splintering, drying out, staining, fading, requiring extensive annual maintenance.
If you’re tired of sanding and staining your deck every year, you came to the right place! Warehouse ’71 offers industry leading alternatives to pressure treated decking, all for up to 40% below retail prices. Keep reading to learn more about new technologies in the decking space and other traditional materials that offer stylish, durable, and cost-effective alternatives to pressure treated decking.
Composite Decking
Composite decking has two parts. First is the core, which is a hybrid product made of wood fibers (sawdust, wood chips and wood fiber pieces), and a proprietary blend of plastics. This core is then covered with a PVC cap that protects the core of the deck board while offering style choices such as woodgrain textures and color options. Composite decking offers the following advantages over treated wood:
Durability:
Composite decking is highly resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage due to its materials. The PVC cap is stain and scratch resistant, so you can enjoy your deck in good condition for years to come.
Low maintenance:
Unlike treated wood, composite decking does not require frequent staining or sealing, saving both time and money. It is recommended that you wash your deck once or twice a year, learn more about that process here: https://online.staging.warehouse71diy.com/inspiration/decking/composite-deck-cleaning-step-by-step/
Sustainability:
TimberTech uses post-consumer plastics to create the composite core of the deck board. Learn more about how TimberTech reduces waste here: https://www.timbertech.com/about/sustainability/
Warehouse ’71 offers two brands of composite decking, TimberTech® and Deckorators®. TimberTech composite decking provides quality decking materials made from up to 80% recycled materials that come with a 25-year fade and stain warranty.
Deckorators decking also offers a 25-year stain and fade, as well as a 25-year removal and replacement warranty. These decks are low maintenance, so there is no staining or painting required! View all of our composite decking options.
Mineral-based Composite Decking
Mineral-based Composite decking material is made of crushed stone dust and plastic composites, extruded under high heat into deck boards. Only manufactured by Deckorators, this material offers DIYers a lightweight deck board that has very little expansion and contraction. Additionally, this board is made without any wooden fibers, so it is extremely resistant to moisture damage, making it a great option or high moisture applications like docks. Mineral-based decking offer distinct advantages to treated wood, including:
Strength-to-weight:
Mineral-based materials are known to have the best strength-to-weight ratio. With mineral-based decking, expect equal strength to other composite boards, but thinner and lighter weight, making it easier to carry, handle and install.
Resistance to moisture:
These materials are not susceptible to rot, decay because there is no wood in the board.
Little-to-no expansion:
While wood expands in hot, humid weather (and contracts in colder, dryer air), mineral-based offers little to no expansion and contraction.
Learn more about our Mineral Based Deck options here: Shop for mineral-based decking.
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PVC (Advanced Polymer) Decking
PVC decking is made of a cellular PVC core with a textured and colored PVC cap. PVC decking is popular due to its durability and style TimberTech offers a variety of colors and textures that mimic real wood, some colors you can’t even tell the difference! To learn more about PVC, you can find our previous post all about PVC here.
PVC is a versatile alternative to treated wood, and is preferred for various reasons:
Resistance to moisture:
These materials are not susceptible to rot, decay because there is no wood in the board.
Get the wood look without the maintenance:
It requires minimal upkeep, as it does not require painting, staining, or sealing like treated wood.
Longevity:
TimberTech’s PVC decking material offers protection against UV-rays to prevent the fading over time that treated wood has. This decking even offers a 50-year warranty.
These options are unique and popular – but if you’re looking to stick with natural wood aesthetic, you may even consider one of the non-treated wood options, such as cedar deck boards or Ipe wood.
Cedar
Cedar deck boards provide the wood look without the harsh chemicals used in pressure treated lumber! Cedar is naturally resistant to insects, rot, and decay because of its natural oils. Although cedar decks require some sanding and staining, these steps are not necessary if you are ok with your deck turning gray over time. Keep your deck in good shape by cleaning once-a-year, with soapy water to remove any dirt or debris on the deck. Sealing your cedar can also offer added protection from damage. See all our cedar decking options from Warehouse ’71.
Cedar is a popular alternative, boasting several advantages over treated wood:
Decay resistance:
Cedar contains natural oils that make it highly resistant to decay, prolonging its lifespan.
Insect repellent:
The scent of cedar deck boards naturally repels pests, reducing the need for chemical insecticides.
Durability:
Cedar possesses an ability to withstand several issues that treated wood cannot, such as moisture absorption and resistance to warping and splitting. Cedar can last up to 15 to 20 years.
Ipe wood
Ipe is an extremely dense tropical hardwood, sometimes called Ironwood because of its hardness. Although expensive, it offers exceptional durability and beautiful warm wood tones. Ipe can withstand harsh weather conditions, making it ideal decking material. Ipe does require annual oiling to keep it in tip-top shape. Warehouse ’71 has Ipe woods available and ready to ship.
Ipe surpasses pressure-treated wood in several aspects:
Strength and durability:
Ipe is exceptionally hard and resistant to scrapes, scratches, rot, and decay, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.
Natural resistance:
It possesses inherent resistance to pests, mold, and fungi.
Little-to-no expansion:
Ipe is stable in both heat and cold. Much like mineral-based material, Ipe wood will have little-to-no expansion and contraction in extreme temperatures.
If you’re considering remodeling your deck with one of these pressure-treated alternatives, please give us a call. We’re happy to teach you more about these different materials and help find the right deck board your project!
About Warehouse ’71
Warehouse ’71 is your personal warehouse of building materials for DIYers and home remodelers! We offer premium decking, railing, siding and more for up to 40% off big box store pricing. Our inventory consists of recently discontinued colors, product lines, and overstocked materials that carry full manufacturer warranties from premium brands like TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Deckorators®, Diamond Kote® and more. Products are available for same-day pickup or delivery. Warehouse ’71 only sells material from brands you can trust, and our experts can help you find a product without breaking your budget!