Over the past several years, the popularity of outdoor living spaces in West Vancouver homes has grown exponentially. With this growth has come a significant increase in the choice of materials that homeowners have to build their decks and patios. Knowing your options is important whether you are in the midst of a home renovation or in the earliest planning stages of creating your dream garden space.

Pressure- Treated Lumber

This is the tried and true choice that has been used for generations, and it still remains popular today. Pressure-treated lumber is economical, readily available and easy to cut to size for any deck. The downsides of using this material remain the same as they always have. It is not the most stable of decking materials available in Vancouver and can be prone to cracking and splitting with time. Regular maintenance is also necessary to keep it looking great and lasting for years.

Redwood or Cedar

Rich in color and naturally beautiful, redwood and cedar are popular decking materials in upscale West Vancouver homes. These beautiful choices are naturally resistant to rot, decay and many insects, but the level of protection available in each piece directly correlates to the amount of heartwood found within. This means that superior redwood and cedar can often be quite expensive, and that makes it cost prohibitive for some homeowners to use this wood when constructing their outdoor living spaces.

Composites

This is the fastest growing material found in modern decks, and it is popular for a reason. Composites and plastic lumber are created by combining wood fibers and recycled plastics. They are durable, easy to clean and require little annual maintenance. There are many different companies that manufacture these products, and they are available in a variety of different sizes and colors to suite a variety of homeowners. While composites are quite popular, they are not for everyone. The manmade nature of these materials is a turn off for some since they do not offer the same natural beauty as many varieties of hardwoods.

Aluminum

While you probably have not seen a deck made out of aluminum, this material is presented as an option for your West Vancouver outdoor living space renovation to prove that sometimes it is worth looking outside the box. Aluminum is a great option for many reasons. It will not burn, rot, get attacked by insects, splinter or warp. Aluminum is strong but light and will probably last you forever since it is never going to succumb to the elements in the way that wood or composites might. If there is a downside to building a deck with aluminum it is in the cost. At almost $9 per linear-foot, using aluminum decking materials will certainly set you back especially if you are building a large Vancouver deck or patio space.

Alair Homes West Vancouver has helped countless homeowners to create beautiful outdoor living spaces in Vancouver communities, and we are ready to assist you too. With our unmatched ability to secure bottom dollar prices on high-quality materials and our unprecedented customer service, we form great relationships with our clients and earn their business time and time again. To experience the Alair Homes difference for yourself, give us a call and schedule a free, no obligation consultation.