Scripps Howard

SCRIPPS HOWARD
Cedar and treated pine, the old standby low-maintenance decking materials, are no longer the only game in town.
In fact, with the proliferation of composite deck materials and the introduction of exotic hardwoods, there are more choices than ever before.
"Composite decking is the biggest news in the deck industry," says Eric Stalemark, a former contractor and founder of Decks.com, an online resource for deck builders and owners. "You can own a deck for 10 years and never have to seal, paint or stain it," he says.
That's because composite lumber, which is made of recycled plastic and wood fibers, is designed not to splinter, crack, rot or warp. Some types are even fade-resistant. And manufacturer warranties for composites range from 10 years to 25 years.
Easy to maintain
For a growing number of homeowners, that ease of care is an immediate draw.
"When they hear 'no-maintenance' their ears perk up," says Bob Flynn, owner of Flynn Construction in Chanhassen, Minn. "Boomers don't want to be out staining their decks."
Nationwide, lumber companies report sales of 85 percent solid wood and 15 percent man-made decking materials. But in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, however, deck builders and lumber suppliers report sales of wood and man-made materials are about even.
"People are more open to alternatives to wood here because we have both severities in weather," says Bob Younger of Archadeck, a Twin Cities deck builder. "The combination of hot sun and frost and freeze cycles makes it more work to keep our decks looking attractive."
Promises of low or no maintenance aren't the only draw of composites. Doug Nelson, builder and owner of New Spaces in Burnsville, Minn., cites the environmentally friendly quality of decking made from recycled materials rather than trees.
Of course, carefree decks can cost more. Stalemark says composite decking adds about 30 percent to the overall cost of a pressure-treated pine deck, generally the least expensive material. However, the cost of composite lumber is comparable to the cost of cedar or imported hardwoods, he says.
Still, not everyone is sold on the composites.
"Some people think a composite has a plastic look to it and want the real thing," Nelson says.
To draw the dollars of wood lovers, Trex, the oldest composite company, features a new line of deck boards made from sawdust and recycled grocery bags that feature an embossed wood grain. Other makers of synthetic deck boards, including those made of 100 percent plastic, are trying to mirror the rich, grainy look of wood.
Exotic woods
Wood purists are turning to durable tropical hardwoods from South America and Southeast Asia. Ip & eacute; has been around for years, but other imported hardwoods such as Mangaris and Tiger Deck have become available recently.
These exotic hardwoods, which are resistant to rot and insect damage, feature mellow red and brown hues, are knot-free and can be left to weather naturally.
New materials, no matter how inventive, can't take all the credit for revolutionizing the industry. Designs, too, are moving outside of the box. Instead of the standard square deck, customized decks boast multi-levels, unusual geometric shapes, two-toned flooring and architectural railings that blend with a home's exterior.
"There's more options than just a wood 2-by-2 baluster," says Darrin Haugen of Deckorators, a St. Louis, Mo., company that makes aluminum railing balusters in classic to colonial styles.
"The deck is no longer that thing hanging outside your house," adds Younger. "It's an outdoor living room or dining room that you can personalize with style."