Deck Construction in Maryland and Virginia
63Azek Deck Material
Choosing the Right Materials for Your Deck
Choosing the Right Materials for Your Deck
If you're planning a new deck it’s not only the design you need to think about, but the materials. This choice can mean the difference between a deck that falls apart in a few years or one that last decades.
Before automatically going with a pressure treated deck or a composite deck, think about the site conditions. Does the deck face North or South? Is the deck close to the ground? If your deck is within three feet of the ground and have northern exposure a composite deck or pressure treated deck is not going to last. Alternatively, if you want something resistant to stains, scratches and fading than a PVC or ASA based material is the best choice. Children, pets, grills, guests, and the elements all have special ways of making their mark on your outdoor living space. If you have a solid, reliable PVC deck, you won’t need to worry about the scratch of a patio chair, grease from your cookout, a spill of win, melted crayons, or intense winter weather.
The most popular PVC based material is AZEK Decking, a low-maintenance decking alternative to wood and composite. It is the pioneer in the PVC decking industry. It’s a superior, stain-resistant material made of vinyl that is also resistant to scratches, stains, mold, fading, and moisture. As a durable, long-lasting material, AZEK decking is a smart choice for customers who plan to be in their home long-term and are looking for a way to save on the maintenance costs for their deck.
AZEK’s appeal also lies in their wide variety of decking colors – from white to gray, red to brown, over 10 different shades are available to blend with the look of your home. And because AZEK enables you to avoid wood construction, you’ll also avoid the need for regular staining – your chosen deck color will have the same kind of impressive longevity as the deck itself. AZEK also makes available a variety of railings that compliment the decking colors. AZEK's custom railing system can be built in five separate colors that match the decking perfectly.
An additional feature to Azek decking board is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. The warranty protects against splitting, rotting, fading, staining, and scathing. This warranty applies to their decking boards
- Custom Sunroom and Patio in Potomac, MD
This sun room and patio design for a Potomac, MD homeowner features a round sun room with double casement windows. The conical roof extends above the gable 'walk through' and provides a wonderful space for our clients to enjoy meals and entertain friends. A flagstone patio complete with sitting wall and a fire pit provide our door living space. After some landscaping this back yard will be complete.
- Sunroom, Deck, and Patio in Great Falls, VA
This design features a Sunroom, Patio, and multiple decks. A flagstone dry laid patio connects the driveway to the sun deck. Round stairs on the sun deck emulate the arch windows of the sun room. Mahogany flooring will be installed in the sunroom that also features cedar tongue and groove ceiling, crown molding, recessed lights, and over sized skylights. This space can double as a screen room when all the windows are opened, but can also be used throughout the window months. A Mitsubishi mini split HVAC system will heat and cool the sunroom. Sun decks are located on both sides of the sunroom for overflow seating. This project has it all with patio space, 500+ square feet of deck space, and a four season sun room.
- Build a Waterproof Deck
Nearly every part of Maryland receives approximately four inches of rain per month, while the annual rainfall in our state ranges from 35 to 45 inches. The average winter snowfall for our area exceeds 20 inches. If you’re a Maryland resident, this isn’t news to you – our state is one of the wettest. All of this precipitation can lead to calamities of nature that damage your home. Not to mention it can be downright depressing to be cooped up in your house day after day while rain and snow take their toll and hamper your ability to breathe in some fresh air. There are two additions to your outdoor living space that bring with them multiple solutions to weather problems: a covered deck and ascreened-in porch. Both of these options allow you to utilize your exterior space during rainy days and, if you’re happy to bundle up in the bitter cold, enjoy being out on snowy days as well. The advantage of being kept dry by your deck roof prevents you from being a slave to the Maryland weather – you won’t have to cancel a gathering or move it indoors because of rain. You can read, relax, work, or play with your kids on your screened-in porch, rain or no rain. A deck roof also protects you from the sun, which many of our customers want so they can still appreciate being outside without worrying about harmful rays. As for wintertime, you know those snow piles that look so soft and fluffy white at first can turn into a slushy, melting mess. A deck roof keeps snow that could have built up on your deck away from doors, minimizing any chances of interior water damage.
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I agree, although wood decks make the most attractive ones, other materials should be considered for durability
Anita-Completely agree. As long as bugs and the sun aren't a factor decks are a great place to enjoy the warmer part of the year. If bugs are a huge problem, a screen porch or a bug repellent system such as "MistAway" are good alternatives.
Luis-How attractive the deck looks is in the eye of the beholder. However, I tend to agree with you comment. IPE and Mahogany hardwood decks are gorgeous. However, with a lot of the new material now available, synthetic decks are looking pretty sharp as well.
AnitaClarkRealtor 3 months ago
Nice looking Hub...having a great looking and functional deck can really make the warmer months more enjoyable.