Times Colonist

Wood-free deck materials make for easier living

- STEVE MAXWELL Visit Steve Maxwell online BaileyLine­Road.com.

Would you like your new deck, gazebo or other outdoor structure to last longer and require far less maintenanc­e? Non-wood alternativ­es are becoming more common and better, and as you’ll see these products offer easier living, less maintenanc­e and longer working life.

Steel Deck Frames

The biggest part of any deck is the support frame, and posts, beams and joists are still made of wood most often. Wood combines great strength, resistance to sagging and reasonable price, but it’s prone to rot. Steel deck frames are the newest structural alternativ­e to wood, and various systems are made by a handful of companies, each with their own proprietar­y design and fastening approach.

The steel in these systems is relatively thin so it can be cut on site with a steel-cutting carbide blade in a low-rpm metal cutting circular saw or chop saw. Even if you’ve never worked with steel before, the learning curve is shallow and simple. It’s not that different from building a wooden deck frame, except the material never rots or rusts and it’s always straight. Most deck builders still use wood for deck frames, so you may need to educate the profession­al you hire. Google “steel deck frame materials” and you’ll find lots of options, including Canadian ones.

Wood-free deck railings

Most people are surprised by the amount of work involved in finishing and refinishin­g all-wood deck railings. You can spend longer stripping and refinishin­g a railing than you will an entire deck. This is why wooden railings often are in dire need of refinishin­g, and why nonwood deck railing systems were invented. They can be used on any kind of deck, and the best combine safety, ease of installati­on, and freedom from maintenanc­e (except for cleaning). Options include aluminum systems with built-in lighting, railing systems made of composite lumber, and glass-based systems that offer a clean appearance along with safety and an unobstruct­ed view.

Wood-free decking

Wooden deck surfaces usually need a lot of ongoing maintenanc­e, and this is the main reason non-wood decking was invented. Right now there are three main types: wood/plastic composites (WPC); poly vinyl chloride decking (PVC); and mineral-based composites (MBC). Of these WPC is the most common, though the other types are gaining popularity.

WPCs are made of a blend of recycled wood fibres and recycled plastic, all pressed together to make lumber-like boards. WPCs come in one of two forms: hollow extrusions (less expensive and lighter in weight) or solid lengths (looks and works more like real wood). Both come in the same widths and thicknesse­s as convention­al lumber. The main drawback with WPCs is that they expand a lot as they heat up. This isn’t a big deal, but you do need to leave 1/8” to 3/16” of expansion space between the ends of adjoining boards to allow for thermal movement.

Mineral-based composites (MBC) offer unique advantages. Made from a blend of plastic and minerals, the best MBCs have a fibrous structure similar to wood, with virtually no expansion and contractio­n from changes in temperatur­e. Stronger than wood/plastic composites, being entirely inorganic means there’s no chance of rot or surface growths.

PVC decking is another wood alternativ­e and it’s taking a larger piece of the Canadian deck building scene. Unlike first-generation all-plastic lumber from the 1980s, today’s PVC is different because of the way it’s formed. Instead of just solid plastic, top brands include small air bubbles worked into the extrusions as they’re made. This creates better working properties, lighter weight and better traction under foot.

Regardless of the non-wood decking option you choose, your deck will look better when boards are held down with invisible fasteners as opposed to visible screws. I’d never build a deck without them.

 ?? VECTEEZY ?? Deck railings don’t have to block the view. This design uses structural glass that provides safety without visual obstructio­n.
VECTEEZY Deck railings don’t have to block the view. This design uses structural glass that provides safety without visual obstructio­n.

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