Who likes doing home maintenance? Most people don't particularly enjoy it. As such, the idea of a maintenance-free deck may sound incredible. Knowing that you won't have to scrape and paint your deck every year or two can be really freeing. However, if you are like most customers, you likely have a few questions about maintenance-free decking. Keep reading to discover the answers.
What is a maintenance-free deck made from?
It's important to consider that your maintenance-free deck won't be made from wood like a standard deck. Instead, it will be made from a material that won't rot. There are a few different materials often used for maintenance-free decking:
Composite: Made from a combination of wood fibers and concrete, composite decking is really durable and is often colored and shaped to look like wood. Color extends all of the way through it, too, so you won't have to worry about any chips or scratches.
Vinyl: The same sort of vinyl that can be used to make window sashes or fences can be used to make a deck. Vinyl doesn't need to be painted, and it will never rot. It can, however, get a bit brittle as it ages, especially in climates with variable temperatures.
Do you still have to clean a maintenance-free deck?
If you want the deck to stay clean, then yes, you will need to wash it. However, the need to wash a maintenance-free deck is not nearly as urgent as the need to wash one made from wood. If you don't get around to washing it for a while, the dirt on it won't degrade the material or cause any issues.
Most maintenance-free decks are easy to wash, too. Since you don't need to worry about moisture damage, you can just hose or spray the deck off. Both vinyl and composite are resistant to staining, so cleaning is easy.
Why does maintenance-free decking cost more?
Maintenance-free decking generally costs more than wood decking simply because the materials cost more and take more time to produce. These decking materials can also be harder for the deck installers to install. They may need to be cut with more specialized saws or a specific type of nails.
Hopefully, this article has addressed some of your questions about maintenance-free decks. A local deck company should be able to show you some samples of the materials they use and the colors they offer
