by Joshua Farquharson, Windsor Plywood –
When planning for an outdoor space, like a plank-style deck, the most important factor you have to think about is what materials will give you the look you want, be durable enough to last, and fit within your budget. Vancouver Island has some of the most beautiful weather in Canada, but the proximity to the ocean and the mix of sun and rain makes it one of the hardest climates for exterior materials. Here are some of your options:
Composite/PVC
A popular option in the last 10 years, composite decking rose to prominence due to its durability and low maintenance. Made from a mixture of plastic and wood fiber, composite doesn’t rot and only requires cleaning once a year. The downside of composite decking is a lack of colour/tone variation. Seeking to remedy this issue, manufacturers developed “capstock,” composite wrapped in PVC, giving much greater flexibility to colour and texture than composite alone. Emerging technologies are not without a learning curve. Several brands of capstock products failed in the unique conditions Vancouver Island presents. An even more durable option is pure PVC decking, although this will be the highest price point among decking options.
Cedar Decking
Red cedar decking is the traditional choice for wood decks on the West Coast. With great insect and rot resistance, cedar is a great choice for real wood decking. Cedar can be left untreated and it will turn to a grey patina, but this greatly affects the lifespan of the wood; it should be treated with an exterior finish. Hardcoat varnish type finishes last for three to five years before needing to be sanded to bare wood and refinished. Softcoat oil finishes need to be reapplied every other year but only require a simple cleaning between coats. There is no perfect finish: it’s a balance between what you want it to look like versus how much work you’re willing to do to maintain it.
Hardwood Decking
Arguably the most beautiful looking deck option, hardwood decking is limited in our climate to tropical hardwood – no other hardwoods really hold up. There are a few different options but they all have very similar properties. Ipe, Cumaru (Brazilian teak) or Pedra decking all have great decay and insect resistance; it’s just the colour and price that fluctuates.
Treated Decking
The most economical choice, treated wood traditionally comes in green, although several brands have tried making brown in recent years. Treated with pressure and typically alkaline copper, they seek to give the wood the properties of cedar and are finished in a similar fashion.
For more information visit www.windsorplywood.com.
