Click Here For More Specific Information On:
Tongue & Groove Decking for Porches
by
Grayer Watson
Your porch is one of the first things everyone sees as they approach your front door. What kind of impression do you want to make? If one of your home improvement goals is to renovate your front porch, you need to know the best materials to use. After all, your porch is one of the easiest and fastest ways to decorate, update, revitalize, and repair your home.
Wood porch flooring options is the most popular material for porch floors. You can choose any species from domestic Walnut to exotic Cumaru. There is a wood floor to fit any budget and/or design. Often, exotic species such as Tigerwood or Ipe are more resistant to mold, mildew, and domestic pests than domestic species like Maple or Ash.
What do most professionals recommend? Ipe wood is believed to be the best wood for exterior use. Colors can range from olive brown, to brown-black, and sometimes striping of lighter colors throughout. It is very strong and dense, has high durability, and is resistant to splintering, warping, or cracking. Its natural oils help the wood to resist decay, insects, and mold, which leaves this wood chemical free. In addition, the wood has a class A fire rating for flame spread, which increases the fire safety of your home.
Tigerwood is, in my opinion, the most beautiful, and can be used for both interior and exterior use. Many high end homes use Tigerwood to create a smooth transition between their outdoor porch and their indoor living area. The color of Tigerwood can vary from a dark red to a red-brown and is known to have black and brown stripes. Tigerwood, like Ipe, also contains natural oils to help resist mold, mildew, and insects. In addition, its density and strength stands up to even the toughest of foot traffic.
Mahogany is just also very strong and dense, but not nearly as strong as Ipe. Its strength is comparable to Tigerwood and teak. It has the least amount of knots compared to the other porch decking materials. Mahogany is a great wood porch option because it is very rot-resistant.
As for the best profile to use, many installers choose the tongue and groove profile for covered porches because it is easy to install and gives you a solid, seamless look. If you re looking to renovate, or build a porch on your own, then Tongue and Groove decking can be installed easily so you don t have to worry about an expensive professional installer.
What about porch decking made of plastic composite materials? Their track record is spotty at best. Why? Well, mostly because of spots. You can find composite deck porch owners sharing pictures and horror stories about constant maintenance and repairs due to splotchy mold, decay, and peeling. The hardwoods mentioned above don t have that problem.
Before you get stared building a deck porch, be sure to check your local building codes. They are in place to make sure your porch passes inspection and has a long life.
Building a deck porch? Check out
porch decking
details and installation instructions.
Article Source:
ArticleRich.com