There are a variety of types of deck designs that can enhance the look and feel of your home. Decks can be built to act as an outdoor living room complete with cozy couches and an outdoor fireplace to warm up any fall evening. Large decks can be transformed into an elaborate outdoor kitchen to cook and spend time with your friends or family outdoors.

Even if you do not have a lot of space, there are a variety of small deck ideas that will help to create and wonder outdoor living space for you and your family as long as you start with the essential foundation: a wood deck. This article focuses on the types of wood for decks that you can use and how to design and maintain your deck. The best decking material to use when building a deck or patio is wood. Most people prefer wood deck over concrete patio because of woods natural aesthetic appeal from its colors and textures. Wood is more homey and inviting and allows homeowners to feel more connected with nature than with a concrete patio. There are a variety of different types of wood you can use ranging from natural timber decking to a variety of different types of composite decking. One of the most popular types of wood used to build a deck is cedar decking.

Cedar wood for decks is popular because it is strong and inexpensive. Cedar is a soft wood that is solid and easy to use to build however it is prone to sun damage so if using this wood you should consider building your deck in the shade. You can protect your wood even further by purchasing deck sealer or a deck cover. Wood deck covers are installations that you can place over your deck to protect your wood. They are placed directly over the boards that construct your deck and fasten on tightly to protect your deck safely. Deck sealer is a type of stain used to coat your deck to protect it from water and weather damage. The best wood deck stain and sealer for your deck depends on your location and the amount of sunlight and water it is exposed to. You can determine the best types of deck sealer for you by taking a trip to your local home improvement store and discussing your options with a representative there.

There are other options for your wood deck that require less maintenance and are long lasting. Pressure treated wood decking is wood that is treated with chemicals that prevent it from rotting and becoming infested with insects. This type of wood is popular for wood deck flooring because it is long lasting and relatively inexpensive. Another alternative to natural wood is composite wood for decks. Composite wood is a combination of plastic and natural wood that make the deck long lasting and durable to inclement weather. One of the most popular types is veranda composite decking. This is a brand of composite decking material that is resistant to rot and decay, breaking and shrinking. Another type of wood material is ipe wood decking, as it is an inexpensive, easily installed, dense hardwood that is durable and long lasting.

All of these materials come in a variety of colors and styles and can be used for wood decking tiles, railings, stairs and more. Wood deck railing ideas using different materials allow you to customize the look of your deck to match your style and the style of your home. Moreover, you can add a little pizzazz to your deck by using interlocking wood deck tiles. After determining the type of material you are going to use, it is a good idea to think about wood deck stain and paint. Stain and paint is a good way to revamp existing decks or add a special touch to new ones. Wood deck paint can be bought in a variety of different colors to add a more eclectic look to your deck. Stain, on the other hand, can enhance the natural color of your deck or add a different subtle color to the wood.

How to stain a wood deck depends on the size of your deck, the material you are using, and the area in which your deck is located (sunny or shaded). The best deck stain for pressure treated wood is one that both stains and finishes which makes the whole staining process a lot easier. Another way to increase the longevity of your deck is to clean it every so often. If your deck is exposed to a lot of water from either rain or you have a wooden above ground pool deck make sure to get a stain that is water resistant to prevent rot and decay. How to clean wood decking depends on the material used and if the deck was stained or finished. For most decks you can simply sweep the debris off and then use a pressure washer to clean the deck.