July 5, 2008
Deck Materials
There's plenty of time left in the summer to build and enjoy the deck you've always wanted.
But choose your deck material carefully. Because of new government regulations, treated lumber, as we've known it for more than 70 years, is literally on its way out. There are plenty of wood options, including cedar, redwood, mahogany and Ipe, a South American wood that's so strong it's called ironwood.
Synthetic woods, a composite of wood fibers and recycled plastics that are manufactured under names like Trex, TimberTech and ChoiceDek, are becoming more popular, too. They're low-maintenance, usually needing just an annual cleaning, and won't rot or become a main dinner course for insects.
Wood decks can be high-maintenance; cleaning, staining or sealing often are annual tasks. Decks made from premium lumber, such as mahogany and Ipe, can be significantly more expensive than decks made from treated lumber or synthetic wood.
"It always comes down to money; what you can afford," says Bruce Johannessen of Beachwood Builders. And Johannessen, who has been designing and building decks for more than 20 years, urges homeowners to wait until they can afford the right material. "If you're going to stay in your home, you're going to be looking at a deck for 25 years. So buy what you really want, what makes you happy."
With that in mind, here's a rundown of the most popular decking materials used on Long Island, including installation per square foot. The installation price can be volatile, if not for the unpredictable cost of wood, then for the deck design itself. Railings, steps and other accessories, like benches and planter boxes, can add to the installation price, builders say.
Treated Wood
Beginning in January 2004, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will no longer allow decks and other residential structures to be built from CCA-treated wood. (CCA stands for chromated copper arsenate, an arsenic-based preservative that resists rot and insects.) The newer, more environmentally safe versions of treated wood -- manufactured under names like ACQ Preserve, Wolmanized Natural Select and NatureWood -- contain an arsenic-free, copper-based preservative.
Many builders discourage their customers from choosing treated lumber for a deck. "It's not a nice-looking wood; the last time we built one from treated lumber was 12 or 15 years ago," says Bill Hutchinson of Building New Lifestyles Ltd. in Rocky Point.
From about $14 to $16 a square foot installed.
Cedar
Probably the most popular choice for decks on Long Island, cedar is available in two premium grades, an architect clear or a custom clear. Because the U.S. International Trade Commission increased tariffs on Canadian lumber in May, cedar prices are on the rise. Included in the increase is western red cedar, a grade below the clear and very popular in decks and other building applications. The red cedar, also known as
knotty cedar among builders, has an attractive grain pattern that takes stains and sealers well. Cedar has natural oils that resist insects and rot.
About $24 to $26 a square foot installed for clear. About $18 a square foot installed for red.
Redwood
Often hard to get, redwood naturally resists decay and insects. It is lightweight, durable and comes in a range of grades suitable for interior and exterior applications. Decks take a garden grade, but there are a couple of different versions here, too. Choose heartwood grades, either select or construction, for decks. Avoid the sapwood grade for decks; it doesn't withstand exterior conditions like the heartwood grades.
About $24 to $26 a square foot installed.
Mahogany
The key to choosing the right mahogany for decking is color. The darker red species of mahogany are more resistant to decay, and there's a good chance a dark red species could be an American mahogany, grown in Central America, South America, Mexico or the West Indies. Before you use mahogany, research the species and grade, says John Laird, a purchasing manager for Nassau Suffolk Lumber. "Look for a dark red, a consistent color," Laird says. Mahogany should be treated annually with a water repellent to maintain its color and resist rot.
About $20 to $22 a square foot installed.
Ipe
A dense Brazilian hardwood, Ipe naturally resists insects and decay. The wood is strong, durable and resists cupping and splintering. It requires a sealer only at the ends; however, a sealer will maintain the wood's natural reddish-blond color. "It's been around a long time and is becoming more and more popular because of its durability," says John Callahan, director of sales and purchasing at Riverhead Building Supply. "The South Street Seaport boardwalk in Manhattan is made of Ipe."
About $24 to $26 a square foot installed.
Composites
Composite products do not resist mold and they get dirty. They usually must be power washed each spring. Most composites can be stained, but that adds to the maintenance; once stained, the material must be restained, usually every year or so. Several composites offer colors, but options often are limited to just two or three, usually a natural, gray and brown. In most composite installations, treated lumber is used for the structural applications; composites are neither designed nor manufactured for load-bearing use.
About $16 to $18 a square foot installed.
One way homeowners can better understand the difference in materials is by visiting a lumber yard. Ask sales personnel about the grade of decking lumber available and the difference in price. Also, when getting estimates, ask the builder about the grade of lumber that will be used and where the builder purchases the lumber.
"There are quite a few customers who are not sophisticated enough to realize the choices they have in materials," Hutchinson says. "Often, they call and just say, 'I need a deck.'"
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