Wooden decks are wonderful additions to any home, but like most natural products, they do require maintenance to keep them in top shape. Depending on the size of your deck, maintenance can be very time consuming and rather expensive.

But now, thanks to modern technology you can have the look of a beautiful wooden deck without the maintenance that wood requires. Two products - plastic wood and PVC - have received rave reviews from homeowners, builders and environmentalists. These products are used to build decks that won't chip, peel, fade, splinter or rot. They never need painting or sealing and are seen by many as having multiple environmental advantages.

Plastic wood is a building material made from plastic - recycled plastic in most cases. Because it is maintenance-free, it is being used not only for decks but other outdoor applications such as benches, picnic tables, landscape timbers, arbors, boardwalks and docks. Environmentalists are thrilled - it helps solve the growing problem of waste disposal. Landfill sites are quickly disappearing so a 11 second life" for plastics is a definite benefit to the environment. Also, unlike pressure treated wood, plastic wood does not need chemicals to protect it from rot, decay and insect damage. Resembling dense wood, it may be drilled, screwed, sawn, bolted or nailed. It will not splinter or split, is impervious to water, liquids, bacteria, etc. Generally, plastic wood is available in white and various wood tones.

PVC, or polyvinyl, has the same advantages as plastic wood. The difference is in the composition - extruded high polymer vinyl vs. recycled plastic. PVC decking is used extensively at shore, lake and pool sites because it will not rot, but is as applicable for residential decks as well. Available in white, beige or tan, PVC decking stays cool in the sun and, depending on the manufacturer, is slip resistant when wet. At Rudl, we handle Heritage PVC decking, called Teck Deck. Complete with a lifetime warranty, Teck Deck has patent pending two piece design consisting of a top and bottom piece that is snapped together to create a single decking board. The bottom piece can be cut to fit any angle and butted together, while the top piece is a continual roll which hides all seams, joints and fastening screws. Teck Deck stays cool in the sun and is extremely slip resistant when wet.

Both plastic wood and PVC are initially more expensive than pressure treated wood, but in the long run - generally seven years or more - they can actually be cheaper. As the price of wood continues to increase, plastic wood and PVC will become even more attractive.

Also available at Rudl is another alternative called Durable Deck. It is a PVC overdeck and is the only vinyl deck covering specially designed to be installed on top of your existing wood or concrete surface. Patented air channels allow the surface underneath to breath and moisture to evaporate. Durable Deck will give many years of maintenance free savings with all the beauty and benefits of vinyl decking at a more affordable price.

The best way to determine if any of these deck alternatives will work for you is to visit our showroom on Rt. 31, north of Clinton, NJ. We have samples of each product and can answer any questions you may have.