We often talk about Western Massachusetts being home to some really wild weather. This week has certainly shown the truth of these words, with flooding, tornadoes, and near-record heat all taking their toll. And given that as our situation, it’s time to ask: is there really such a thing as a weather resistant deck?
We build a lot of decks using composite materials or PVC decking. There’s a reason for that. Let’s look at the heavy rain we had this week. We’re talking torrential downpours, with significant amounts of water just pounding down on a deck. If that deck is built out of wood – even if it’s really well sealed – some of that water is going to penetrate. And as we all know, once water’s in the wood, a whole host of problems can result. In addition to rot, mold, and mildew, moisture in wooden decking can lead to cracking and split boards. If you want a deck that can resist this kind of damage, you want your local deck contractors to use PVC decking or composite decking.
Tornadoes aren’t exactly common in Western Massachusetts, but they can happen. To be clear, just because your deck is weather-resistant doesn’t mean it will stand up to tornado-force winds. We wish we could say that, but nature’s fury means that we can’t. What we can tell you is that this is one area where quality of construction truly matters. Decks that are properly designed and well-built will endure high wind conditions better than decks that aren’t as well made. Choose a local deck contractor who is experienced and has a reputation for excellence to build your deck. Then, in the unlikely event of a tornado, you can know you’ve done everything possible.
Finally, let’s talk about hot weather. The sun can be brutal at this time of year. Wooden decks have been known to warp, split, and splinter when left in the blazing sun. Composite decking is far more stable and will provide you with years of reliable performance – even during the sunniest summer days!