If you have been following me for awhile, then you know that hubby and I are ready to downsize to a smaller home. We have begun the search more vigorously now that Malik graduated from Bowie State University just last week.
Fortunately, we may have a buyer waiting in the wings as they are very interested in purchasing our home which is a blessing, but today I realized that it’s time to get my butt in gear to get the little things ready for the potential new owners; which includes opening the pool and cleaning the back deck.
I grabbed the cushions from the shed and cleaned off the outdoor furniture, but as you can see, the deck needs a good cleaning. I tried a few “green products” but is looks as though I am going to have to have it professionally power washed.
Looking back 15 years when we first built the deck, I think we should have used composite wood or something similar then perhaps it would have been easier to clean now.
If we have an opportunity to add a deck to our next home, although downsized as well, I want it to be built using composite wood or something similar.
It may be a bit premature, but last night I started checking out specs for a new deck because it is definitely going to be my favorite place to hang out in the summer. We will downsize the house and downsize the deck using material that is easy to clean and I came across this blog post about using capped composite on the Decks & Docks website.
CAPPED COMPOSITE
Composite decking is made from a combination of natural wood pulp and artificial plastics. While we tend to think of plastic as something that is harmful to the environment, composite decking is actually more environmentally friendly than 100% wood decking because it can be made from recycled materials. Two of the most popular recycled composite decking brands are Trex and TimberTech.
“Capped” decking is surrounded by a hard plastic shell, making it more durable and less prone to fading and staining than uncapped composite. If aesthetics are important to you, the resin cap can also be customized to mimic the appearance and texture of natural hardwoods.
Pros:
- Durable
- Long-lasting
- Low maintenance
- Insect-resistant
- Moisture-resistant
- More cost-effective than PVC
- Easy to customize
Cons:
- More expensive than wood
- Absorbs more heat than wood
Capped Composite is the best decking material for you if you are looking for something more cost-effective than PVC but stronger and more durable than wood, capped composite decking is a perfect compromise.
I would also love to live by the water and have a nice dock to sit out on, and I must admit that I will miss our current deck, but I am looking forward to what the future holds for me and the family.
Let’s Chat > Where is your favorite place to hang out in the summer? On the backyard deck or sitting on the dock of a bay?
You may also like
4 thoughts on “Downsizing the Deck”
I want to know what you think, please leave a comment and share with your circle.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
You are so lucky to have a potential buyer already. It makes the new home purchase so much easier and exciting. Kudos Sis!! Get on the move with the preparations and enjoy your Summer. Much Luv!
Yes, God is always right on time. I was outside preparing the pool and now am exhausted – this is definitely the last season for me! Have a wonderful weekend.
I hope that you find that perfect house! Downsizing is amazing I would recommend it to anyone.
Swinging back to let you know that we did in fact find a “forever home” and are currently in an apartment until it completed – not too bad.