For many purists, the ONLY decking choice for real wood is cedar. From shabby-chic to an authentic-rustic style, all-natural cedar decking provides outstanding visual and structural appeal.
Appreciated by homeowners and carpenters alike, cedar packs a 1-2-3 punch.
It is rich in color, has a natural beauty and is chemical and preservative-free to withstand insect infestation, rot and decay.
When compared to other building materials, cedar is more costly than pressure treated lumber but less pricey than synthetics or hardwoods.
For many St. Louis homeowners, cedar is often the ‘sweet-spot,’ budget-wise.
In terms of maintenance, cedar needs TLC but the process is straight-forward.
As a natural softwood, cedar requires annual power washing and a finishing coat every few years to protect the surface from damage. To spiff-up its natural color, apply a cedar-toned stain; otherwise, it will weather to a nice, soft and silvery gray patina.
So you’ve decided on cedar… so what comes next? Rails.
If you love a uniform appearance why not choose, not only cedar decking but, cedar rails and balusters too? (above)
And for added privacy, include a cedar wall where needed. (below)
Looking for a variation?
Change-up the balusters and pair cedar rails with sleek metal pickets, cable, tube or glass infill.
Would you prefer low maintenance railing? If so, combine traditional cedar decking with composite or vinyl rails. White is fashionable, crisp, clean, bright. Black is contemporary, bold, masculine.
Do you love elegance? Then wrought iron rails will do the trick.
As you can see, there is no shortage of possibilities when it comes to color, size and style!
Key Takeaways:
Cedar is aesthetically pleasing.
It’s versatile and complements most any type of home and décor.
Unlike brick, cement and synthetic decking, cedar is natural, sustainable and biodegradable.
With proper maintenance and care, this decking material is durable and long-lasting, offering a high return-on-investment when it comes time to sell your home.
And it’s simple to gussy-up your cedar deck with decorative rails, interesting décor and landscaping to stay current with trends that reflect your design preference.
Next steps for designing and building an outdoor space?
Whether you’re just getting started or know exactly what you want, Archadeck can help.
If you live in the St. Louis, Missouri region, visit our website, west-county.archadeck.com.
Call us anytime at 636.227.0800.
We serve homeowners throughout Greater St. Louis for custom decks, screened porches, pergolas, gazebos and other outdoor structures.
However, if you’re still exploring ideas and discovering resources, Pinterest is made for inspiration. Check out Archadeck’s Pinterest boards and pin away! Oh and our new Google+ page is a fantastic research tool too.
Thank you for considering Archadeck.
Sources:
Popular Mechanics, Real Cedar, Family Handyman, wisegeek.com, Archadeck Outdoor Living, Archadeck of Columbus, Archadeck in Iowa, Beautiful Backyard Blog, houzingzone.com, A Guide To Choosing Deck Materials ShadeFX, WRCLA, Bob Vila, Better Homes and Gardens – The Ultimate Guide To Decking Materials
If you live in the St. Louis, Missouri region call 636.227.0800.
Otherwise, dial 888-687-3325 or visit archadeck.com to find Archadeck owners in your zip code.