Wood Deck Contractor Vancouver
The material that will always provide a timeless look and is commonly used for both decks and fences is wood. Wooden decks are naturally beautiful and are very flexible in design. They can seamlessly match with most landscapes and can be very simple to incorporate into any property. You are also able to change the colour of wood decks via painting or stains There are some different types of woods you can also choose from each with unique pros and cons. With different tiers of woods available, we can try and find a solution for all budgets. Our team at Vancouver Deck Builders is knowledgeable on all of the wood decking options available and have the experience to build the perfect custom wood deck for you.
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Cedar Decks Vancouver
Our preferred wood material when making a deck is hands down cedar. Cedar has a naturally amazing scent and texture. Its warm color tones makes it a great choice for those looking for a genuine natural wood look. The best part is that cedar contains a substance that is resistant to moisture, insects, and mold. A cedar deck that is well maintained and installed by an experienced deck contractor should last you anywhere between 15-20 years. Like most building structures that are constantly exposed to the elements, some maintenance work will be required for cedar. A reseal is recommended every 2-3 years as this will help extend the woods lifespan and maintain its colour. If you are looking for less maintenance work and want to have all year use of your deck, installing a deck cover could be a great option for you. Cedar decks that are covered require little maintenance and a light reseal every 5-6 years or so. Cedar also comes with its very own tier structure with the most common being a clear cedar and a knotty cedar. The premium choice is the "clear cedar" as it has very few knots and impurities in it. The lower cost choice is knotty cedar which as the name implies has more knots and grain variations in it. You can never go wrong with a cedar deck and its usually our recommendation for anyone looking to get a custom deck project done.
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Pressure Treated Wood Decks Vancouver
If you are on a budget but still looking to get a deck installed, a pressure treated wood deck may be what you are looking for. Pressure treated wood is typically the least expensive decking material available. This type of wood is softwood lumber, commonly fir & pine, that is infused with preservatives to make it last in the outdoors. The "pressure" part of this wood comes from the process where the preservative is put in a pressure tank with the wood which forces the preservative into the wood. The preservative most commonly has some type of copper in it which makes the wood uninhabitable to insects and fungi. Through this pressure process, the wood itself gets harder and can withstand everyday wear and tear a little better than a softer cedar would. Depending on the stain you use, there are some colour options to choose from as well. Pressure treated decks require much more regular maintenance compared to its cedar counterparts. If maintained properly, these decks can also last well over 10 years and up to 20 years and counting. The most important part to all of this is regular maintenance work. So while pressure treated decks will have the lowest upfront costs, your time and resources put towards maintenance can add up over the years so make sure that is taken into consideration when looking to install a this type of deck over a cedar one.
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Hardwood Decks Vancouver
Another fantastic alternative to cedar is hardwood decking. There are many types of options to choose from including IPE, Red Balua, and Tigerwood to name a few. Similar to cedar, most types of hardwood have the same characteristics that make it naturally resistant to rot and insects. Hardwoods can also create some beautiful colors and can be a statement piece for your landscape. Hardwoods are also denser than softwoods such as cedar and can take on much more of a beating and even patio furniture being dragged along the deck. In terms of maintenance, we recommend to oil the deck once a year to help preserve the rich colour of the wood. Upfront costs are typically higher for hardwood decks due to material costs and the extra labour involved in the preparation process and installation process. A hardwood deck may last longer (over 25 years) than a cedar deck for not much extra maintenance. At the end of the day, it'll come down to your own preference and the cedar deck may even work out more economically in the long run as well.
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