The Lifespan of an Outdoor Deck

Nothing adds a homey touch to any property like a well-constructed outdoor deck. Of course, in our corner of Texas, where backyard barbecues are frequent and gazing at the beautiful east Texas scenery from your porch is more a sport than a hobby, decks are practically essential. When making a choice to add a deck to your home or rebuild a neglected one, it’s only natural to be curious about how long you can expect the deck to last.

Unfortunately, determining the lifespan of your deck isn’t as easy as all that. It will depend on your regular maintenance, as well as your choice of material. Typically, there are two primary options for deck material: wood or vinyl. Here are the pros and cons of vinyl and wooden deck material in Tyler, TX.

You likely don’t need a master’s course on the topic to understand what wood is. It comes from trees. It can be shaped and stained in a variety of different ways. It is one of the oldest, most plentiful and most reliable building materials in the world. Vinyl decks, meanwhile, don’t boast the same earthy quality of wood, but vinyl does bring its own list of benefits. Chief among them is its natural dent and scratch resistance.

When it comes right down to it, a wooden deck won’t last quite as long as the vinyl option. On average, wooden decks last about 15 years. With proper yearly maintenance, you can increase that lifespan to around 20 years. On the other hand, vinyl decks can last as long as three decades if they’re correctly maintained.

The catch here is that, if improperly installed or routinely abused, vinyl decking will only last about 20 years, the average lifespan of a well-cared-for wood deck.

One of the pros of vinyl over wooden deck material in Tyler, TX is that it doesn’t require much maintenance. Wooden decks require yearly staining and possibly even painting. Wood is also more prone to scratches and dents if handled roughly. If neglected, wood will also rot and grow mold. Vinyl, meanwhile, requires very little maintenance and no annual staining, and it won’t rot when rained on.

As you might expect, vinyl has a much higher price point than wood. Typically, wood costs about $15 to $25 per square foot (plus installation). Depending on the quality of the vinyl you choose, your final price could end up somewhere between two and five times the cost of a wooden deck.

Want to know more about the pros of vinyl and wooden deck material in Tyler, TX? Come to Canfield Construction Management , where we have years of experience in the construction, remodeling and renovation industry. Our talented team of contractors is ready to tackle jobs both big and small. Whether inside or outside your home, we can breathe new life into your property and transform it into a place you’ll never want to leave.

Find out more about how we can help you. Give us a call today!

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