Adding a deck to your house provides you with a new place to lounge around and host parties and improve the look of your home. Various materials may be used to build the deck. Naturally, prices also vary per kind of material. Here is a list of the most common decking materials used today, to help you compare prices.
Wood: If decking material is a brand, wood is its flagship product. It is the material that attracts the eyes of any passerby, especially if the deck design complements your home exterior. Wood prices vary widely. The more sturdy and pest-repellent pieces are, the moe expensive they get. Less expensive wood options are available, but they also tend to decay faster.
Metal: The longevity of a metal deck greatly depends on the level of maintenance by the owner. If it is left unpainted, it is expected to rust in no time. In contrast to wood, metal is a little less expensive. Metal, though, creates a very different feel when used as a decking material. It creates a rather stiff atmosphere instead of a relaxing, all-natural ambiance.
Composite: Composite materials are often cheaper than wood. They are usually formed by mixing wood flour and plastic. Composite decking materials look a lot like wood until you examine their structure closely. So, when it comes to aesthetics, composites are not far behind from wood, but expect the opposite when it comes to quality and length of service.
Plastic: Plastic is the most practical choice home owners with a limited budget can resort to. Prices for plastic decking materials vary greatly. Top of the line plastic materials can cost as much as their composite counterparts. Some plastics are very sturdy, but they are still not at par with wood as much as aesthetics is concerned.
As you can see, the price variations of these four types of decking materials give you suitable options to work with the budget you have at hand. You have to remember, though, that cut-downs on price tend to have a trade-off in aesthetic quality, if not on the caliber of the very structure.