What Everyone Must Know About PVC Decking

by

Allan Michael Taylor

‘Do you like the outdoors?’ is an easily answered question. Try asking yourself if you like the outdoors enough to build decking that you would have to waterproof, stain and scrub regularly for its lifetime, which may last as long as a good 12 years, give or take a few. You are most likely mentally calculating the man-hours of all that, not to mention the cost of the waterproofing and staining materials, and the opportunity cost of spending hours on a task that could have been spent doing something else more productive, or more entertaining.

With PVC decking materials, you can easily put your mind at rest about the matter. PVC or polyvinyl decking materials are cost-effective, easily-available, low-maintenance and are quite easy to install. PVC decking materials do not have wood components at all. Unlike wood, it is also decay-free and completely free from insect infestation. There may have been times in the past when PVC materials have washed out under the sun. However, newer PVC materials have UV inhibitors, like titanium dioxide, that lets your decking retain its color.

The first group of PVC decking material is Hollow PVC. They are generally fastened with screws and hidden fasteners. The outer layer contains the UV inhibitors and other substances that significantly increase impact resistance. The inner layer is of a totally different composition that makes it stiff and sturdy. One drawback with hollow PVC is that they are relatively costly, at least when compared to pressure-treated timber. Another drawback is that while it does come in a lot of hues, including wood-tones, it will not look like the real thing. So it’s best for more modern houses which may not need wood or the appearance of it to complete a certain ‘look’

The second category is that of solid PVC decking materials. They are made of material that has the characteristics of wood. As a matter of fact, it is even used in paneling, doors, blinds and windows. It is manufactured through an extrusion process which creates air packets within, resulting to a material that is less dense and therefore more wood-y and less plastic-y. Then, it is cooled to form a smooth yet hard outer layer that doesn’t bleed, nor absorb paint. It offers the same benefits that hollow PVC does, and more. It is ultra-quiet and it is ultra wood-like. Be ready to accept oh-my-it-looks-like-real-wood compliments from your neighbors and guests. Its biggest drawback is that it is rather pricey.

One particular concern that just has to be stress is that of PVC being toxic. To put the matter to rest, you will not be harmed by PVC decking materials, at least not until it is set aflame. You will only be harmed if you inhale a substantial amount of fumes out of a smoking piece of PVC, or if you somehow make it a habit to chew pieces of PVC decking off your patio. And that is highly unlikely because PVC is highly flame-resistant, and someone is yet to claim that it tastes good.

Let’s face it; there is indeed a need for cheap, low-maintenance, easily-available, and easy-to-install decking. PVC decking is all that, and perhaps, a little more. It is virtually free from splinters and is not ever going to crack or peel like most wooden decking would. PVC is quickly becoming the decking material of choice for most homes, particularly modern ones. If you want to start reaping the benefits now, get working on your decking project with PVC in mind.

Nick Morgan is a specialist about

decking

. To learn about almost everything relevant to

decking

, surf to the world wide web site located at … http://ecodek.co.uk

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