Choose the Perfect Outdoor Deck Flooring for Your Home

Building or renovating an outdoor deck creates an opportunity to extend your living space outdoors. With so many options for deck flooring materials, it can be challenging to select the perfect one for your needs and style.

We'll look at natural woods, composite materials, concrete and stone, as well as some unique emerging deck flooring ideas. With the right information, you can confidently choose flooring that complements your climate, fits your budget, and achieves the ideal outdoor aesthetic.

Classic Wood Deck Flooring

Wood decking offers unmatched beauty and a timeless look for outdoor spaces. Pressure-treated pine is the most affordable and readily-available wood decking material. More expensive woods like cedar, redwood, and tropical hardwoods offer enhanced durability, beauty, and resistance to rot and insects.

Types of Wood for Deck Flooring

Here are some top options for wood deck flooring:

• Pressure-Treated Pine: Inexpensive softwood, often made from Southern yellow pine. Offers good durability when properly sealed and maintained.
• Cedar: Aromatic, attractive softwood that naturally resists decay. More expensive but very durable.
• Redwood: Stunning wood grain patterns. Naturally resilient to insects, moisture, and rot.
• Tropical Hardwoods: Extremely hard, dense options like ipe and tigerwood offer exceptional durability.

The Benefits of Wood Decking

Wood brings warmth, charm, and timeless appeal to outdoor decks. Other benefits include:

• Affordable, especially pressure-treated pine
• Easy to seal, stain, paint, or customize
• With proper care, can last for decades
• Variety of natural colors and wood grain patterns

Considerations for Wood Deck Flooring

Wood deck flooring requires some regular maintenance and may not be ideal in all climates. Keep these factors in mind:

• Requires re-staining/sealing every 1-3 years
• Can warp, crack, or rot if not properly maintained
• Not recommended for hot, humid, or excessively wet environments
• Softwoods like pine are more prone to scratching

Low-Maintenance Composite Decking

Composite decking offers an extremely low maintenance alternative to natural wood. Made of mixed synthetic and reclaimed wood materials, composites are more expensive but resist issues inherent in normal wood.

Types of Composite Decking

Major composite decking options include:

• Wood-Plastic Composites: Mix of plastic and wood fibers/particles. Most common.
• PVC: Made entirely of vinyl rather than wood fibers.
• Polyethylene: Contains at least 50% reclaimed or recycled wood material.

Benefits of Composite Decking

Things to Consider with Composites

Composite isn't perfect. Keep these factors in mind:

• More expensive than pressure-treated wood
• Can still stain or fade over time
• Not fully resistant to scratches
• Limited warranty periods

Concrete and Stone Deck Flooring Options

Concrete or stone pavers offer a completely different look and feel underfoot. These extremely hard materials withstand heavy foot traffic and last for decades.

Types of Concrete and Stone Pavers

• Poured Concrete: Smooth, seamless surface
• Concrete Pavers: Interlocking blocks, squares, or tiles
• Natural Stone: Flagstone, bluestone, travertine, etc.
• Brick Pavers: Classic, rustic aesthetic

Benefits of Concrete and Stone

These hardscape decking materials offer:

• Unmatched durability for decades of use
• Cooler underfoot than wood on hot days
• Skid-resistant surface, even when wet
• Highly customizable patterns, colors, and textures

Considerations for Concrete and Stone

Potential downsides to keep in mind include:

• No natural wood look
• Harder surface underfoot
• Cracking is possible over time
• Not recommended for freezing climates

Unique and Modern Deck Flooring Options

Looking for a truly unique deck flooring material? Here are some cutting-edge options to consider:

Bamboo Decking

Made from fast-growing bamboo grass, this sustainable wood alternative offers a sleek, modern look. Benefits include:

• Environmentally friendly option
• Attractive visual appeal
• Naturally slip-resistant
• Durable and easy to maintain

PVC Decking

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) decking offers total waterproofing thanks to its plastic construction. It's a smart option for wet climates. Pros include:

• Impervious to moisture
• Stain, mold, and scratch-resistant
• Good slip resistance
• Very low maintenance

Metal Decking

For an ultra-modern, industrial look, metal decking is an on-trend choice. Consider:

• Very high durability
• Unique visual appeal
• Customizable finishes and colors
• Naturally slip-resistant

Rubber Deck Tiles

Interlocking rubber tiles provide cushioning and grip underfoot. Great for play areas. Benefits include:

• Kid and pet-friendly surface
• Easy DIY installation
• Insulating and comfortable
• Withstands weather extremes

When selecting deck flooring, carefully consider your climate, budget, and design goals. Key factors include:

• Local weather patterns
• Traffic from kids or pets
• Desired aesthetic look
• Upfront cost and lifespan value
• Regular maintenance requirements
• Eco-friendliness

Take time to choose the best material for your deck. Properly installed and cared for, your new deck flooring will provide an inviting outdoor oasis for years of enjoyment.