Making an informed decision between wood and composite decks

There is no doubt that the pandemic changed how people spent their time. With more people working remotely and Canadians spending more hours cooking, reading or starring at screens for Zoom hangouts, Netflix binges or idle social media scrolling, our homes became the central location for a great deal of recreational time.

Now that warm weather is here and with stay-cations growing in popularity, the thought of adding an  outdoor oasis to enjoy recreational activity in a comfortable outdoor space at home has returned.

The obvious question for those contemplating the addition is, what kind of deck is best to have installed on your residential property? According to deck building expert Ibrahim Moujaber, it really comes down to a choice between two materials – natural wood or manufactured composites.

“Every product has its pros and cons,” said Moujaber, a master carpenter and owner of the Ottawa East location of Hickory Dickory Decks. “There are definitely pros to considering composite decking.”

According to Moujaber, one of the primary advantages of choosing a composite deck is the fact it requires little or no maintenance during its lifetime.

“You don’t have to paint it or stain it. It doesn’t crack or warp or twist,” he said. “It’s also a lot easier on the feet and much more slip resistant.”

Depending on the manufacturer, composite decks can last anywhere from 25 years to a lifetime. That durability and flexibility came with a price; composite decking was usually more expensive than regular wooden decking board. However, the price increases that hit Canadian lumber supplies during COVID send wooden boards spiraling in cost while composite decking remained relatively stable.

“After COVID, especially with our entry level composites, it wound up being very close in price to cedar,” said Moujaber. “A lot of time it was a no brainer to just go with a composite deck.”

Another advantage to choosing composite decking is that it comes with a warranty. Most of the composites used by Hickory Dickory Decks are manufactured in North America with different manufacturers offering different warranties. Cedar decking, on the other hand, offers no warranty regardless of where it’s purchased.

Ultimately, Moujaber said the choice of which material Hickory Dickory Decks uses in the construction of a deck is up to the customer, as is the size and design of the installation.

“The sky is the limit, and we can help you design the perfect deck,” he said. “We’re

custom carpenters. We don’t discriminate when it comes to product. I’ll install any product the client wants. My job is to be an educator and inform them of the pros and cons of each material. I would always give them a choice of good/better/best when it comes to composites so it fits their budget. Then I let them choose. At the end of the day, I’m happy to work with any product.”

With the flexibility offered by their custom design work and experience in designing and building custom crafting decks as large as 1,000 square feet, Hickory Dickory Decks is the best choice in the Ottawa area for new deck installation. Visit their website at https://decks.ca/deck-builders/ottawa-east/. Or call them at  613 834 1361.

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