What are the Different Options for Veranda Decking?

A veranda porch uniquely combines indoor living in an exterior environment. Veranda decking must therefore look beautiful while offering a durable surface that will withstand all weather conditions. Wood, especially yellow pine and fir, is the most common deck material for porch flooring, followed by composite decking, which is a synthetic decking material. Generally, veranda decking should enhance the architectural style and décor of the home and provide a long-lasting, low-maintenance porch deck. It is best to first determine the final style and décor of the veranda, and then to choose the deck flooring based on those choices.

Veranda decking construction options vary, depending on the style of the porch and personal preference. Tongue-and-groove wood veranda decking exudes an old-fashioned air of times when life seemed simpler and slower. Wood planks are more casual and rustic, and they usually are low-maintenance. Composite decking planks, available in a wide variety of colors, are the best porch floor for new construction or a house with a contemporary design.

Yellow pine and fir are inexpensive and are readily available as pre-formed veranda decking materials in both tongue-and-groove boards and planed planks. These woods might be pressure-treated to resist moisture and rot. Redwood and cedar, which are softwoods on par with pine and fir, splinter easily, but the heartwood is very resistant to decay. Tropical hardwoods, such as mahogany, teak and Ipe, have tighter grains than softwoods and therefore are much more durable and take paint and stain better. Hardwoods are expensive and their availability might be limited, but these woods make exceptionally beautiful and long-lasting veranda decking.

Decorative options for a veranda floor depend on the style of the building and the selection of flooring material. A richly grained mahogany veranda deck deserves a luscious stain to bring out its beautiful grain and color. Inexpensive and knotty yellow pine tongue-and-groove decking can be covered by porch paint or indoor-outdoor carpeting. Redwood and cedar age gracefully without stain or paint; delicately painted stencils or a few area rugs on the porch floor enhance a rustic décor.

When weighing options for veranda decking, it is best for one to first visualize the final porch design. The veranda should be an extension of the architectural style of the house. Materials such as pine and fir are inexpensive and widely available, but they do require more maintenance than the more costly hardwoods and composite decking materials.