PATIO
As you may have already noticed, there is a wide range of products available on the market, catering to all tastes and budgets. Several factors need to be considered when making your purchases, such as maintenance, durability, warmth, etc.
Wooden Decking
Wood is mostly the choice of consumers. Its Atlantic look and warm aspect evoke conviviality. Often more affordable than other products on the market, it is also more stable. A wooden terrace blends in perfectly with any style of home (rustic, classic, modern…). However, it requires more maintenance than its competitors. Here are the two most well-known types of wood on the Quebec market.
ACQ Treated Wood
Factory-treated wood offers an affordable and natural advantage, which is why it is often the first choice of consumers. Factory-treated wood is a classic that has proven itself over many decades, an economical solution! Recognizable by its greener hue, it is now available in a brownish tone, giving it a more natural and warm appearance from the moment of installation.
Advantages:
- Adapts very well to all styles of homes
- Easy to install
- Reasonable price
- Warm and natural appearance
- Several sizes available (8 to 16 feet)
- Huge choice of preservation products
- Durability of 20 to 30 years with appropriate maintenance
Considerations:
- Cracks and warps
- Requires more frequent maintenance
- Stains more easily than composite, PVC and aluminum materials
- Shrinks 5% to 15%
- No stability guarantee for the product
Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar (not to be confused with White Cedar) offers exceptional benefits in addition to giving your home a prestigious look. Its natural internal oil protects it against insects. Its warm color evokes a feeling of comfort and calm. Western Red Cedar is an excellent choice given its appearance, stability, reliability, and resistance to North American climates.
Advantages:
- 100% natural
- Noble and warm
- Resistant to insects and decay
- Versatile
- High-end appearance
- Durable and stable
- Resistant to North American climate
- Easy to install
- Available in multiple dimensions (8ft to 20ft)
- Huge selection of preservation products
- 20 to 30 years of durability with proper maintenance
- Excellent value for money
Considerations:
- Requires more frequent maintenance than composite, PVC, and aluminum materials
- Stains more easily than composite, PVC, and aluminum materials
- No guarantee of product stability
- Grays more quickly if left untreated
Timbertech Composite and Timbertech Azek PVC Boards
This type of material is on the rise and is increasingly sought after by consumers who want to minimize the maintenance of their deck while having a deck with a wood grain appearance. Less maintenance time means more time to enjoy memorable summers. It offers elegance, durability, and multiple choices of colors and textures. These products offer excellent warranties that will meet your expectations.
Timbertech Composite
Timbertech Composite
Advantages:
- Texture preserving the integrity of real wood grain
- Resistance to mold and moisture
- Resistance to weather, stains, scratches, and fading
- Very low maintenance (just a simple wash)
- Limited warranty of 25 to 30 years (fading and staining)
- Excellent long-term investment
- Excellent choice of color and finish
- Exceptional look
Considerations:
- Higher investment than wood
- Clearance required for temperature variations
Timbertech Azek PVC
Advantages:
- Resistance to extreme climates
- Hidden fasteners
- Limited lifetime warranty (deck)
- Limited 50-year warranty (fading and staining)
- Texture preserving the integrity of real wood grain
- Resistance to mold and moisture
- Resistance to weather, stains, scratches, and fading
- Very low maintenance (simple cleaning)
- Remarkable warranties
- Excellent long-term investment
- Excellent choice of color and finish
- Exceptional look
Considerations:
- Higher investment than wood
- Clearance required for temperature variations
Aluminum Board
We can see that there are more and more of these floor coverings for certain applications. However, this product should not be overlooked, as it is the ideal solution if you need a waterproof and non-slip seal. Requiring no maintenance, it will satisfy a specific clientele. Very resistant and stable, it earns its place for the North American climate.
Advantages:
- Weather-resistant
- Waterproof (thanks to its water drainage system)
- Very low maintenance (just a simple wash)
- Good warranty
Disadvantages:
- Commercial look
- Relatively expensive
- Relatively warm
- Limited color selection
To conclude, we have a variety of material and color options to choose from for the realization of your decks. It will be necessary for you to evaluate your needs and budget to establish the best possible choice according to your type of application and design.
Happy planning!