One of the best parts of having a deck is the ability to entertain outdoors when it is nice.  It doesn't matter what the occassion, having a deck on your home is an extension of your living area.  Many decks are a great place for additional recreational space or for the grill to take space.  However, many decks are made from wood, which over time can create other concerns that need to be addressed.

Wood has been used by people for building decks for years.  Due to the low cost and ease of use, wood has and probably always will be the deck material of choice for home builders.  Wood also offers a nice aspect of being able to treat it or stain it to match a specific color or pattern that you are wanting to acheive. 

But, wood also can rot, splinter, warp and crack.  You also have to deal with algae, mold and mildew.  Even with pressure treated lumber, rot and cracking can set in and cause extensive damage and costly repairs over time.

So, what are your options?  Do you keep your wood deck and how do you care for it?  What about having a deck made of other materials than wood?

The easist way to waterproof a deck is to use one of the many waterproofing or sealers for decks that are on the market.  Deck sealants provide a barrier for the wood against water.  Most of the sealers work well, however overtime they need to be reapplied.  Exposure to sunlight can also cause damage to the protectants which can lessen their lifespan.

Another problem with deck sealants is that they can't seal every area of the wood.  You will end up with end grain exposed or joints or penetrations where nails and screws have gone through the wood being exposed and not treated.  Leaving one area untreated can still expose the rest of the deck to damage.

A more recent sealant that is gaining in popularity is one that treats and also fills the wood.  This sealant would fill in those nail or screw holes securely and also treat the rest of the wood. 

One of the nice things about wanting a deck on your home is the options that you have in picking what type of material you want it made from. With advancements in technology, you can choose from many different materials today.

Plastic, composite and aluminum deck materials are easy to fix, relatively maintenance free and waterproof. These materials are also environmentally friendly and some are even made strictly out of recycled materials.

With more of the wood reserves going to actual home construction, and more concerns about the safety and environmental impact of pressure treated wood, using an alternative material for your deck makes sense.

Aluminum decks are a great alternative to wood decks.  They are lightweight, mildew resistant, corrosion free and durable.  They are not affected by insects and they won't rot or crack.  Another nice aspect about aluminum decking material is that it will stay cooler in the heat of the summer because the aluminum dissipates heat better than wood.

Many aluminum decks are just as durable as wood decks.  In fact they are gaining in popularity in areas that see snow and ice due to their ability to have heating strips added to them to help melt snow and ice accumulations.  SInce they don't rot and crack from moisture, they are becoming more prevalent in colder climates.

When plastic and composite decking materials first came onto the market, no one could afford them.  The high price per board foot made making a deck of any size almost impractical.  Now, with the price coming down, more people are finding the reliability and maintenance free aspects of the decking material a huge benefit for the cost.

Composite decking is still expensive, however if you factor in staining, sealing and other maintenance issues over the life of the deck, you will recover your cost more quickly with a composite deck.  One factor to consider that was a problem with these types of decks initially was the color fading of the material.  This has improved substantially with most companies now offering a lifetime or limited warranty against fading.