Composite Decking: An Environmental Choice

The new kid on the block in decking is composite decking. As the new kid, not many understand it very well, even thought there is not much difference in it and the wood it comes from. Composite decking is a mixture of sawdust and a binder to give it form and structure. This recycling makes it a good environmental choice, as the wood that goes into its construction is the waste from other wood products, and no trees have to be cut down specifically to make it.

You Need to Know More with Cedar Decking

Your cedar decking can be left unfinished if you desire a rustic weathered look, or use a quality finish to enhance both its look and its natural durability. Cedar decking responds excellently to such materials as oil-based stains and paints, and you should remember to look for a coating that offers good mildicide and ultraviolet shielding properties, as well as additional preservatives in order to protect your project’s youthful complexion.

Regardless of what type of wood you decide to go with in the end, learning and acknowledging yourself on the various kinds available – along with the positive and negative factors with each one – will help you enormously in the finding of the appropriate wood not only for the project but for your personal preference as well. Cedar is a long-lasting, dependable, reliable, and beautiful wood, and should be made as one of the top choices for a project such as decking.

What You Need to Know When Working with Cedar Decking

Cedar is a wood that is naturally resistant to decay and insect damage, and no further chemical treatment is needed unless the lumber is in direct contact with the ground. When compared to the other available woods, cedar is prime because it does not swell or shrink as much as the other woods, lies flat, stays straight, retains fasteners, and provides a firm base for paints and stains. Added onto this is its physical beauty; cedar has a rich grain, texture, and color that compliments any architectural style.

Cedar is considered as being the friendliest wood you can work with because of the fact that it is ultra-lightweight, making transporting and handling a snap, and its soft texture and straight grain allow for quick and clean sawing and shaping. Also, cedar is produced and available in an array of shapes and sizes, and some pre-cut items in cedar decking include the following: fencing, lattice, balustrades, and decorative accessories.

Working with Cedar Decking

There are a number of different types of wood available to work for your deck, including a
composite decking that is made up of recycled materials and a form of wood waste. Cedar decking falls into the wood category, and is one of the most popular choices for decking. Whether you’re planning on completing your cedar decking project yourself, or hiring a professional to do it for you, there are a few important things to know before continuing any further on the idea.

Plastic Boat Decking

PlasTeak (http://www.plasteak.com/boating/plasdeck/plasdeck.html) offers a teak wood look in a plastic material that boasts “No Maintenance Ever!” If you are looking for the deck solution that will allow you more time to enjoy your boat and less time making it looks good, this might be the perfect alternative to the traditional decking. This material is non-slip and environmentally friendly and will give an upper class look to any boat without the maintenance that comes with other boat decking systems.

Treated Plywood

The EPA has laws as to what types of chemicals wood can be treated with. The plywood available for marine use is the only plywood the EPA still allows to be treated with arsenic rather than a copper compound. The arsenic treating allows for the use of marine carpeting and hardware without destroying the materials used on your boat decking. This material is used in rebuilding or re-decking pontoon boats and can be found at http://www.pontoonstuff.com.

Fiberglass Boat Decking

Fiberglass is lightweight and weather resistant among many of its features; however, it is also a bit tedious to maintain and/or repair. Wikipedia defines fiberglass as a “material made from extremely fine fibers of glass. It is used as a reinforcing agent for many polymer products; the resulting composite material, properly known as fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP), is called "fiberglass" in popular usage.” The installation of fiberglass material can be a job that is a bit out of the average boat owner’s league, so might cost more in the long run as well.

Boat Decking Alternatives

I believe the old saying says, the happiest day of a boat owner’s life is the day he bought his boat, the second happiest day is the day he sells it. This is because of all the maintenance that goes into a boat to keep it running well and looking good. Let’s take a look at some solutions for boat decking that will make the maintenance a bit easier for all you boat owners out there.

Wood Boat Decking

A traditional wood deck consists of planks which are caulked and tarred. High class boats might have the deck canvassed with the fabric laid down in a thick layer of paint or sealant. This style of boat decking has been replaced mainly with a fiberglass deck that is laid over treated plywood layers for easier repair and cost effectiveness, as well as options in color and weight.