• A large deck often becomes a busy living space for a family. When the weather cooperates, there is no better way to relax after a long day than by dining al fresco on the deck. Traditionally, wood was the popular choice for building a deck. While wood has its benefits, there are other materials on the market. Synthetic choices, like vinyl and plastics, are often made from recycled material and environmentally friendly.
  
  

Virgin Vinyl

• Vinyl decking offers a long-lasting deck that does not require much upkeep. Like vinyl siding, this decking material will still look new even after a decade. Just give the deck a good power wash, and it will stay looking new and clean. Perhaps one of the biggest drawbacks to vinyl decking is that most vinyl is white or another light color. These light colors reflect the sun and the glare off the deck can be very strong at times.
  
  

Recycled Plastics

• Many types of synthetic deck materials are made from combining recycled plastics with wood fibers. A lot of these plastic materials can be stamped with wood grain patterns giving them a more natural look. The biggest concern regarding plastic decking boards is their tendency to develop mold and mildew. As synthetic manufacturing continues to improve, newer materials become available for purchase. These newer decking materials are less likely to have problems with mold and mildew buildup than older boards. Regular washing can help keep these concerns at a minimum.
  
  

Composite Board

• Composite boards are similar to the boards made from recycled plastic. Often, they are made by compressing many different polymers, plastics and wood fibers together to create a easy to care for decking material. Another benefit to composite decking is that it requires no painting or staining and is available in many different colors and textures. When compared to wood decks, composite boards often feel as if they bounce under a person's foot. Composite decks are quite sturdy but the material give may require users to adjust.
  
  

Aluminum Decking

• In addition to vinyl, plastic and composite choices create a quality deck using aluminum materials. Aluminum is typically cooler to the touch than wood or concrete decking materials. Aluminum decks are long lasting and tend to show little wear and tear, even when exposed to the elements.
  
  

Tips

• When shopping for new deck materials, keep the following tips in mind. Determine a budget for the deck makeover because this can steer a shopper towards the best materials for a particular price range. Determine which materials will withstand usage without losing their color or becoming excessively scratched. No one wants to spend the money to build a new deck only to have it look shabby and worn-out after a few summers. Consider the costs of installation when thinking about the budget. Talk to friends, family and neighbors to determine what materials they have experiences using.