A beautiful home with wonderful indoor spaces is a great thing, but most of us dream of some options for outside as well. Most people in Stafford choose to build a deck to create an area for outdoor recreation and entertainment, as well as to enhance the beauty of the home.

As you plan your project with Fletcher Home, the first decision you'll probably have to make it the material. The great thing about us is that we can use whatever material works best for you, but that still leaves you with a decision to make. Here are some things to think about as you make your choice between wood and composite decking.

The Advantages of Choosing Wood

Wood has been used in construction for thousands of years, making it a good choice for any project. Here are some reasons why you might choose wood.

Staying in Style

The wood we use in a project today looks exactly like the wood used hundreds of years ago. The natural beauty of wood grain will never go out of style. Instead, it dictates the look of things around it. For an ageless look on any project, wood will always fit the bill.

Matching the Home

Unfinished wood is an easy color match on any project. It is easy to stain or paint to match siding, brick, or other wood elements on the home. That versatility comes in very handy when you're adding on to an existing home, or if you have chosen to repaint the exterior. Wood is also very predictable with stain and paint, making it easy to make those matches.

Easy Availability

Your project will be sturdy and durable when we finish it, but sometimes life happens. It could be a mishap with a bucket of paint, a lawnmower incident, or a greasy stain below your gas grill. Whatever the cause, boards can get damaged from time to time, requiring replacement. With wood, the exact type and size you need will be easy to find at any home improvement store.

Simple Disposal

In time, it may be necessary to demolish a project built out of wood. If the wood is untreated and unpainted, it is very easy to dispose of without running afoul of environmental standards, and if it has been treated in some way, it is still fairly easy for us to take care of at a waste management facility.

The Advantages of Choosing Composite

In recent years, the development of composite materials has revolutionized many aspects of the construction industry. There are many good reasons to go with composites.

Uniform Strength

Composites are manufactured with careful quality control standards. That means no knots, no insect damage, and no cracks in the materials we purchase for your project. After assembly, you know that you'll have consistent, unquestioned strength in every composite board.

Smooth Surfaces

The most common problem with wood is splinters. Composite boards don't have that problem because they're manufactured with smaller pieces that are pressed together during the fabrication process. That means no unpleasant surprises for your bare feet on those hot summer afternoons. Composite is also kinder to outdoor carpet and rugs, which can snag and tear on wooden surfaces.

Low Maintenance

The color of a composite material goes all the way through the board. The finish cannot flake or chip. If something damages a composite board, the original color will still be visible in the damaged area. Composite materials also do well with pressure washing, including appropriate soaps, and pressure washing won't create or worsen splits and splinters the way it will on wood.

Going Green

This doesn't mean your project has to be green. We're talking about the environment here. Composite decking is manufactured from recycled plastics, diverting tons and tons of waste away from landfills and giving it new life at your home. Lots of our customers enjoy the positive environmental impact of going composite.

Comparing the Two & Making a Decision

First of all, remember that you can't go wrong with a Stafford project no matter which material you choose. Your individual circumstances will dictate which one is better, but neither will be bad. If you are unlikely to change your exterior colors, composite can be a lifelong material for the colors you've chosen. Homeowners who may eventually pursue a different color scheme will find it preferable to go with wood.

Both materials can be beneficial to the environment. Wood is a biodegradable, renewable resource that is easier to dispose of. On the other hand, composite utilizes materials that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill.

Issues of maintenance, repairs, and lots of other things will come into play for you. We haven't dug into pricing here, but that's largely a matter of the exact project you build. As a rule, wood is considerably less expensive, but we will work through the details with you on that.

We hope we've helped clear the air a little bit and made it easier for you to make a final decision. No matter what material you choose, Fletcher Home will assemble it into a beautiful, well-built project that will add value and enjoyment to your home.