Mix and matching materials of a deck isn’t a bad idea because it can cut costs a lot. As seen here the PVC material (more expensive than wood) of the deck is contrasted well with pure wood railings.
Decks and fences are two elements of any home that can really bring the whole property to life. They’re rarely the first thing that jumps out to grab your attention when you see a house, but let’s be honest, they complete the “look.”
Like anything else around the home, these additions serve the same purposes no matter what shape, color or size they come in. But that’s just it; decks and fences come in such a wide variety of styles. With spring officially underway two days ago, and summer starting on June 21, here’s a look at some things to consider if you’re interested in putting in a new deck or fence to enhance your outdoor experiences.
Fences
A fence is more than just a boundary marker. It provides security — for things coming in or out — gives a sense of privacy, and is a stylistic accessory to the home it contains. Because a fence has so many functions it can be hard to come up with exactly what you want.
In the Northwest, the beautiful landscape tends to be taken full advantage of, and in the “fence scene” this comes in the form of wood fences. Of course, wood is going to look great with a backdrop of trees and hills like many residents here have, but ironically, the Northwest tends to make wood fences not always such a great option. Why? Rain.
Rainfall deteriorates wood, and when you consider how much precipitation there is around these parts, wood fences can be somewhat of a trap.
“If you aren’t a person that’s willing to stain and take care of a wood fence regularly, it’s not going to last long,” says Stu Bailey, manager at Rick’s Custom Fencing and Decking in Clark County.
An alternative material that still gives off a nice “country” type of vibe is vinyl. In most cases these fences will just look like painted wood.
For those who aren’t so concerned about imagery, chain link fences are without a doubt the way to go. First of all, Bailey says they're the cheapest option out there; and secondly, they get the job done.
“Their attractiveness is definitely that they’re very affordable, and they’re steel. They’ll last forever,” he said.
The downside to chain link is it offers little privacy. And when it comes to noise reduction, forget about it stopping any sound waves. That though, is where stone fencing comes in.
Stone fencing can get pricey, but if you live in a busy neighborhood or next to the freeway, it might be worth the investment.
“They’re sound deadening,” Bailey said. “And they’re almost indestructible.”
Decks
When the weather changes from drizzle and cold to blue skies and warm temperatures, everybody wants a deck. Like a fence though, decks are going to be exposed to the elements. For that simple reason, the same negative factors of having a wood deck apply.
Wood decks (like fences) aren’t a terrible idea in the Clark County area if you’re willing to do the upkeep on them, and as a contrast, wood is going to be your cheapest option when it comes to the material. If you choose to go with wood, Bailey says ceder is the go-to option. If maintained properly, he said they can easily last 15-20 years.
The most popular alternative to pure wood is PVC decking. Like vinyl fencing, this material is going to be made to look like wood, but unlike a vinyl fence it’s going to be much easier to spot, simply because you’ll be right up close to it when using.
“It’s not going to fool anyone, but it is far less maintenance and you can get them in some great colors,” Bailey said.
If a deck is lifted any more than a few feet off the ground it’s going to need some railing. When it comes to this, Bailey said it’s not a bad idea to mix and match PVC with wood. Contrary to popular notions, the same material doesn’t need to be used throughout the whole design.
“It can look great, and doing something like wood rails on a PVC deck can also help save money,” Bailey said.
If the deck is only going to be slightly off the ground (stepping height), Bailey said he prefers no railings. Sometimes adding them on can be over-creative, especially if you’ve got a nice view of the lawn that would be blocked to a degree. A thoughtful idea in this case would be to install a glass railing, but that’s not cheap and will get dirty. In the Northwest glass is a bit outside the box, but that doesn’t make it not worth the thought.
