Best Decking Materials for Virginia & Maryland Homes
The best deck material depends on your climate, budget, and maintenance preferences. In Montgomery County, MD and Fairfax County, VA, homeowners typically choose between pressure-treated wood, composite, and tropical hardwoods based on durability and aesthetics. Each option offers distinct advantages for our humid DMV climate, so understanding the trade-offs helps you select the ideal material for your outdoor living space.
Considerations
- Consider Your Geographic Area. One of the first things to take into account when deciding on decking is where you live. If you’re building a high-end outdoor space in Virginia, factor in the microclimate of where you live. Do you experience intense sun, harsh winters, driving rain, or some combination of those? All those external factors can help you decide what decking material will best suit your Virginia outdoor area.
- Consider Your Desired Level of Maintenance. For some people, maintenance is the most important factor. They don’t want a deck that is going to have to be stained or painted frequently or even replaced. If you know where you live in Virginia is going to expose your deck to extreme stressors, a low-maintenance decking option could end up saving you a significant amount in terms of hassle, time, and money.
- Consider Your Desired Aesthetic. For others, the main issue is not maintenance concerns but how the deck looks. They just want the most beautiful, high-end, luxury option possible.
Product Options
With the above factors in mind, start to think about which of the available high-end decking options will best suit your area and personal decking needs. A contractor will be able to advise you on your optimal choice based on the specifics of your project.
Zuri Decking
Pros:
- Considered by many contractors the absolute best for luxurious, high-end decking
- PVC-based material is extremely durable
- Not affected by humidity
- Actually looks like natural wood (without the required upkeep or maintenance)
Cons:
- The most expensive decking option
Wolf ASA
Pros:
- PVC core with ASA shell for durability and resistance to fading
- Very strong, scratch-resistant material
- One of the longest-lasting options with the least maintenance
- Ideal for near pools or hot tubs because it doesn’t soak up water or react with chemicals
Cons:
- Looks similar to wood but not quite as realistic or beautiful as Zuri
Trex Transcends
Pros:
- Made from 95 percent recycled material (capstock with a composite core)
- Many colors and clean, attractive options
- Company stands behind their products if there’s a problem
- Company offers trim, rails, lights, and more, so you can get creative with color combinations
Cons:
- Does not visually approximate wood
Fiberon
Pros:
- More visually appealing than Trex
- One of the most commonly installed decking materials, so many contractors will be familiar
- Good economic value
Cons:
- One notch below Trex in terms of quality
- Composite capstock goes all the way around, making it less breathable (not ideal near the ground or particularly wet areas such as poolside)
Ipe
Pros:
- Beautiful, natural hard wood
- Durable wood that will last
Cons:
- Requires staining
- Requires yearly oiling
- Will eventually fade to a weathered look with exposure to direct sun and other harsh weather elements
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