Decks for Dummies
A Glossary

Woods

Pressure Treated Wood
Spruce, Pine or Fir - Least expensive, excellent strength and spanning characteristics. Many finish options available – paint or stain. Generally the most common product used for the average family deck. Needs maintenance - cleaning, regular refinishing, repairing and replacing cracked and old pieces.

Softwoods
Redwood: The most popular deck material for many years but the use is dropping due to cost and the cultivation rates.
Cedar: Very similar to redwood, beautiful, natural product less costly then redwood. The beauty will last longer in a shaded yard and does require on-going maintenance.

Exotic Woods
Sample product: Kayu Batu
Offers an exotic feature to any property. Known for their hardness, durability and resistance to decay and insect damage, these woods present a unique low-maintenance high performance alternative to decking materials. May require professional installation due to pre-drilling requirements coupled with weight and density characteristics.

Wood Tiles
Sample product: Marryland Flooring
Great little concept. These small interlocking tiles, made from a variety of hardwoods, are easily installed (without breaking a nail!), instantly transforming a boring concrete pad or worn out wood deck into a glamorous deck, fitting the finest yacht! Easy to remove and take with you - they are a perfect way to ‘deck out’ a rental spot!

Composite
Sample product: Trex, TimberTech, Moisture Shield. Low maintenance - periodic cleaning only.
No worry of splintering, cracking, rot or decay damage. Generally this product is a post consumer recycled material made of 50% plastic and 50% fiber (generally wood). The important concern with this product is how well the plastic bonds the material. Long lasting and easy to maintain, combining the characteristics of wood and plastic.
Available in limited standard range colours.

Vinyl
Sample Product: Quadro Vinyl Deck
Durable. Maintenance free and cost effective.
Vinyl is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) a common very versatile material. It is used to make bags, credit cards to drainage pipes - it is a long lasting product. This material can also be recycled. Low maintenance, long lasting, available in white, tan or grey colour waves and is water and fire resistant.

Rubber
Sample product: Eco-Flex
Recycled rubber (Northern Alberta facility) variety of products - interlocking tiles, bricks, sheet goods. Material is easily installed over existing concrete surface while providing a protective non-slip surface for children or elderly.
Can be used on driveways, interiors, around pool surfaces or decks. Available in a large selection of patterns and colours.

Ceramic, Porcelain or Stone Tiles
Sample product: MUST ensure product is graded for exterior use in our climate!
Largest concern is the assurance that the moisture content of the tile is suited for the climate they will be installed in. Second is to ensure the substrate is structurally sound and all moisture and other specifications are correctly adhered to. The largest mistake has been installing over existing concrete without verifying moisture content, or using plywood as a substrate. The highest level of installation for our climate includes metal framing systems and concrete ‘sub-floor’; this is very expensive and seldom used due to cost considerations. A new substrate system is on its way to Edmonton (Allweather Wood) that will allow easier installation of coded substrate to ensure your exterior tile decks maintain their appeal for years.

Brick
Sample Product- I-XL
Made locally, clay is an excellent product for use on driveways, decks and sidewalks.
Brick is a highly sought after cladding for many people but may be too costly for some. Utilizing brick for a deck is a wonderful way in which to include this highly durable, low maintenance finish into your property. While the initial cost may cause some to question the choice, the high resale value and long lasting highly desirable product certainly can make the initial investment worthwhile.