So you have finally decided to replace the old and weathered deck you now have in your backyard. Or maybe it needs a new surface with our Archadeck of Birmingham redecking experts. And, if this is your very first deck, this blog is especially for you.
Come summertime, decks are the perfect outdoor living space to enjoy seasonal daytime pleasures and special events. But with our summers that are hot, muggy and seemingly endless, what material should you use for your deck?
Summertime in Birmingham typically starts greeting early risers at dawn with 70º Fahrenheit – and jumps to the 90s in the afternoon. Yikes! The real culprit here is not just the heat. It’s the combination of natural elements that can cause your deck to be less than perfect from moisture and garden debris. Drastic changes in the temperatures of summer from high heat to cooler spells are an invitation to deck destruction – deposits of rot and mold. Yuck!
Hence, the logical question is what decks are the smartest investment and perform the best in Birmingham’s summer months?
Let’s take a look at wood decks and composite decks.
Everything You Need To Know About Wood Decks For Birmingham Summers
Wood Decks: Wood decks in Birmingham are often preferred by homeowners who love the natural look, beauty, feel and patina of wood – with a favorable price point.
Innovations in manmade decking materials are hard-pressed to match the embedded warmth and characteristics of natural wood. It’s inherent configurations of variegated grains and crevices are each unique.
For the budget conscious, wood decks are typically lower in design and installation costs. Should you decide to go this route, be sure that the pine lumber is pressure treated to enhance wood deck longevity and performance.
Should something happen to the wood deck surface, a board can be replaced easily without compromising the remainder of the deck. Without proper maintenance over time, being exposed to moisture from morning dew and rain will cause wood deck material to swell, shrink and crack. Mildew and mold can also grow quickly without preventive measures for sealing wood decks.
To keep your Birmingham wood deck in good condition, seasonal maintenance is imperative. During the sprint before the high summer heat arrives, wash the surface thoroughly. Be sure to get rid of pollen and make sure that deck fasteners and railings are still sound.
During the summer, watch for the growth or mildew, especially in areas where there is often shade. The lack of sunlight can feed mildew spores.
For the future, be sure to remove any fallen leaves from the deck surface. Clean it top to bottom every few years, being sure to sand areas that are problematic. Also, reapply deck sealants and stain to help preserve your deck’s appearance.
Important Facts To Know About Composite Decks In Summer
Composite Decks and PVC Decks: TimberTech is the composite and PVC deck material champion that performs much better than wood here in Birmingham. Their beautiful and low maintenance deck profiles make them well suited to the most discriminating homeowners.
Slightly more expensive than wood, maintenance over time will be greatly lessened. All that is needed is a rinse from a garden hose to return it to its original glory.
Meticulously fabricated and engineered to resist moisture and sun exposure, all sides of each deck board are completely sealed, keeping sun and water out. As a result, wood deck spoilers like cracking, rot, splitting and warping of deck boards will not be a concern.
To enhance summer use comfort, lighter colors of composite decking and PVC decking is recommended. Colors that are darker can sometimes retain heat longer. The sun will not damage the decking but may affect its comfort, especially on bare feet.
Speaking of colors, the world of choices is your proverbial oyster with TimberTech and wood deck alternatives.
When it comes to performance and beauty, these renewably sourced products can’t be beat. Among myriad benefits and advantages of TimberTech composite decks and PVC decks are the outstanding warranties from Archadeck and those manufacturers.
Made from recycled wood fibers and resins, TimberTech Composite decking features a product warranty of 25 to 30 years. Its Fade & Stain Warranty ranges from 25 to 30 years. TimberTech Advanced PVC decking contains no wood and has a limited lifetime warranty and a 50-year Fade & Stain Warranty.
Planning For Deck Ownership Investment For The Short And Long Term
Regardless Of Preference, It Begins With Your Complimentary Deck Design Consultation
Scheduled to best accommodate your lifestyle and timetable, call us at 205-576-5780; and let’s get your consult in the works.
You may also click this link to arrange it.
Derek & Carissa Crews – owners Archadeck of Birmingham
Birmingham Deck FAQs
• Which deck is the least expensive to build?
Decks constructed out of wood usually have a lower installation cost. This makes them an affordable choice for families with a more conservative home improvement budget.
• Which deck building material needs the most maintenance?
Wood is more susceptible to the impact of Mother Nature’s seasonal effects. Decks made from wood need regular attention for cleaning, sealing, staining and repairs if boards are starting to rot, warp or split.
• Which deck material is the most resilient for the humid hot climate during Birmingham’s summers?
Composite decking containing recycled wood material and plastic particles is best to survive and thrive in Birmingham. It resists the elements that impact wood decks and holds up beautifully in high humidity and heat.
• Which deck material stays cooler when the temperature is very hot?
In constant sunlight, wood decks are more comfortable to walk on than composite decks in richer darker colors. If you prefer a composite deck, you would be advised to select a light color.
• How often does a composite deck need to be stained or sealed?
Never. Only wood decks need to be thoroughly cleaned and resealed every 2 to 3 years to keep looking good and performing well.
• Which deck material offers the longest warranty protections?
By far, the answer is TimberTech Composite decking and TimberTech Advanced PVC decking. It offers between 25 to 30 years for TimberTech Composite and a Limited Lifetime Warranty for TimberTech Advanced PVC decking. TimberTech Advanced PVC decking also carries a 50-year warranty against fading and staining.
