Are you planning to get a new deck done this year? It’s the perfect time to start planning it, and the perfect exterior renovation if you’re looking to add a little luxury to your backyard life. Indeed, decks are a spot to sunbathe, to grill, and to laugh around the fire with friends, all while staying comfortably away from mosquitoes. Talk about the Minnesotan dream!
Decks come in a variety of materials, but our favorites as a deck builder are vinyl and wood. We love them both for different reasons, and each has their strengths. Each is a better fit for some homes over others, so which one is right for you? Tony’s Lifetime Exteriors, as your preferred Sauk Rapids deck installation pros, is here to help. Below, you’ll learn to match deck type to your needs by understanding the strong points of both.
Vinyl Decks: Great For Humid Areas
Just like waterproof flooring, vinyl decks are completely and inherently waterproof, thanks to their synthetic nature and lack of porosity. This means that you’ll never need to invest in any products to keep moisture or humidity from having its way with your deck; vinyl has got you covered in this respect.
If your home is located in a precipitation-heavy or frequently humid area, we recommend this deck type simply because you won’t need to stress about the weather. A vinyl deck will serve you faithfully for decades in such a climate.
Wood Decks: Great for the Home Improvement Enthusiast
No, we don’t mean that they need frequent repairs! We love wood decks because of their creative flexibility. The material is easily changeable with the help of power tools, and the wide variety of stains on the market—plus the ability to refinish the deck, which we touch on in “How to Know if Your Wood Deck Needs Refinishing—and How to Do it—” all mean that you can easily change the appearance of this renovation according to your whims.
If you’re the sort that adores visualizing all your home could be, then getting your hands dirty making it as such, then as deck builders we recommend a wood deck. That’s not the only sort of homeowner who would appreciate a wood deck, though!
Wood Decks: A Universally Loved Look and Feel
Wood decks bring a touch of natural beauty to your home’s exterior, and such a look is hard to dislike. Who doesn’t like the sturdy feel of all-natural material underfoot, or the way rich browns set off nearly any siding color? Indeed, wood decks add an undeniable ambiance to both your home’s curb appeal and your outdoor experience, one that’s incredibly hard not to like. If you enjoy spending time in nature or are looking to sell your home, you’d be smart to consider a wood deck and take advantage of this.
Vinyl Decks: No-Fuss and Low-Maintenance
All outdoor wooden structures must be stained or otherwise protected from the elements in some way, shape, or form. While some homeowners take joy in this process and see it as an opportunity to change up their home’s look, others want a low-maintenance way to enjoy the outdoors, and it’s in this respect that vinyl decking shines.
While it does require some upkeep in the form of cleaning and inspection—as all decks do—vinyl is generally considered a much less time-intensive decking type as far as maintenance goes. After we install your vinyl decking, Tony’s Lifetime Exteriors will show you everything you need to know so that you can keep your new investment looking great for decades to come.
Wood Decks: The Pros of Refinishing
Both types of decking are incredibly tough; as a top-notch deck installation pro, we wouldn’t be working with them otherwise! However, wood decks have the advantage that they can be refinished, as we alluded to earlier. Like a hardwood floor, this process involves ridding the surface of stains and making the wood look good as new.
Refinishing can do amazing things for your wood deck’s looks and health. You’ll enjoy a like-new structure for decades if you keep up with its maintenance. Talk about resilience!
Vinyl Decks: Beginning to Trend
Wood decks have long been a classic and an industry leader, although vinyl decking has been making a splash in recent years. Whether you want something that’s stood the test of time or fresh, new, and innovative is up to you—but it’s undeniable that vinyl has recently been accruing its fair share of fans.
The Takeaway
So what’s the best deck material? That depends on what you’re looking for, as each has its respective strengths. At Tony’s Lifetime Exteriors, we’re experts in both wood decking and vinyl decking; we thoroughly understand this. Given our drive for strong customer service, we’re devoted to helping our clients select the decking material that they’ll love both now and ten years down the line.
Ready to build the deck of your dreams? We’re ready to help. Give our Sauk Rapids office a call today at 320-252-9086.