subject: Plastic Decking Everything You Ever Wanted To Know [print this page] Plastic Decking Everything You Ever Wanted To Know
If you are worried about the environment and want to help save trees, then plastic decking just might be right for you. Because most plastic decking material is made from recycled plastic you can have a beautiful deck and feel good about helping the environment. In the 50 years that some manufacturing companies warranty their materials, think of how many times you might replace a deck and how many trees it would take with conventional decking.Materials: Most of the plastic decking available today is made from recycled plastic. What was once a plastic milk jug or shampoo bottle may now be ready to be your new deck. Some other types are made from recycled material and others from recycled plastic and minerals. Still other materials are plastic and wood composites. The decking material is solid and not hollow, with a wood grain, with the look and feel of real wood.Characteristics: Maintenance is one of the big differences between plastic decking and wood decking. Plastic decking never needs to be painted, weather proofed or stained. Go ahead and go out to you deck in bare feet, no splinters. No chemical treatments. The list of features goes on and on. Mold and mildew will never be a problem, nor will insects eating you deck. Resistant to UV sun rays, will not warp. The texture makes it slip resistant and spills of any kind will not stain. All you need for maintenance is soap and a garden hose.Installation: Each manufacturer will have a set of instructions and recommendations, but if have some carpentry experience and tools, then you can install your plastic deck. Metal fasteners are designed for some decking types, and some of the materials require pre-drilling and others do not need pre-drilling. Planks that are interlocking are available for ease of installation. Check the instructions and determine what type of instillation is right for your product.Colors: This decking comes in a very wide variety of woods types and colors. Match your home colors, or pick a complementary color. If you like the look of exotic wood, then there is a style for you. Woods such as black walnut, redwood, and vibrant, along with muted colors. You might want to try a unique color combination, the sky is the limit.Accessories: Rails, steps, corner pieces are all available to match you deck. Dreaming of curves in your deck, then there are all the matching materials you will need to make this possible. Perhaps attached benches are what you have in mind, this is all possible with this great decking system.Cost: Costs for the decking materials can be a little more than conventional wood. However, if you factor in all the paint, stain and board replacement, along with you precious time then the final cost will be less than wood. A new garden house will be the only maintenance tool you will need.So if saving trees, your time and maintenance is something that appeals to you, plastic decking is what you should consider of when planning that beautiful new deck.
