Your deck or patio should reflect your tastes and personality just like the décor inside your house. In the design process, you should plan to use the same materials and design elements as the house's exterior to create a unified effect. Personalize your deck or patio design with interesting railings, posts, and lighting fixtures, which today can be solar or LED.
In the past, when you installed a patio or deck, you had few choices of materials or design, but there has been an explosion of innovative materials lately. Many of them are low maintenance and durable.
Pressure Treated Wood is still inexpensive and widely available. Some wood in the past contained arsenic, but that has been discontinued by the EPA. Wood decks can last up to 30 years, but they need to be power washed and sealed annually.
Wood Composite is made from plastic resin mixed with sawdust. It comes in wood-like planks in various colors. You can cut it like wood, but it won't rot, shrink, warp, or splinter. Wood composite decks can last the lifetime of the deck. It can be cleaned with a power washer, but doesn't need sealing.
Plastic – Today's plastic lumber can look and feel just like real wood, but it won't absorb water or mold, twist, or splinter. It can be cut with woodworking tools and only needs periodic cleaning with water. It does need to be supported by real wood supports. A plastic deck should last 50 years. Eco-friendly versions can be made of 90% recycled plastics and are 100% recyclable.
Concrete – You don't have to have a great off-white slab of concrete like yesteryear. Today, concrete can come in a wide variety of colors and textures. Some can even save you the cost of stone pavers while mimicking its look.
Interlocking Pavers are popular in patios. Pavers can come in a variety of colors or shapes and can look like stone. They are easy to install, inexpensive, and unlikely to mildew.
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