Above all, it is important that your terrace integrates perfectly with the other spaces of the yard, such as the play areas, the relaxation area and the swimming pool. The style and materials chosen should also harmonize with those of your home.
Treated wood
Treated wood remains the most popular option when it comes to choosing a material to build the structure and covering of your terrace. Its main advantage is its reasonable price, but it also offers an interesting durability-price ratio. This is due to the chemical treatment carried out in the factory, which ensures good penetration of the product into the wood and thus increases its lifespan by five to 10 times.
Also, since treated wood grays over time, you will need to seal or stain it every two or three years. Finally, since the chemicals used for wood treatment are corrosive, you should use stainless steel, galvanized or epoxy coated nails or screws.
The Cedar
Cedar is also a highly sought-after species because it produces a natural oil that allows it to resist mold and fungus well. Cedar pieces are offered with or without knots (“clear knots”), the latter being more expensive. In both cases, you can use them to create the structure or covering of your terrace. It is not recommended to clean the surface with a pressurized water jet as this could damage it. Moreover, to keep it looking rich, you will need to apply finishing products on a regular basis (generally every two or three years).
Composite materials
The market now offers several terrace or balcony covering products made from composite materials. These cannot be used for the structure and must therefore be installed on pieces of wood. The boards are usually made from a mixture of plastic and wood fibers. Available in several solid-impregnated colors and with a smooth or veined finish, these boards can maintain the same appearance for years without cracking or warping. However, they are much heavier than wood.
Plastic and PVC
Plastic or PVC cover boards are generally designed to interlock with each other, which helps to camouflage their fastening system. They resist cracking and warping as well as rot and insects. Easy to maintain, these products can however become very hot if they are exposed to the sun for a long time.
The fiberglass coating
Although less commonly used, fiberglass siding is available in a wide range of colors. Strong and waterproof, it resists rot and insects and provides a non-slip surface. Durable and resistant, this product is however manufactured on demand.
Stone and cement
More and more owners are opting for an integrated and natural layout of their yard, hence the growing popularity of terraces built on the ground or in levels, made of natural stones or more frequently of concrete-based products imitating different patterns. and stone textures. This type of development, depending on its size, however, requires more excavation and installation work than the construction of a raised terrace.
There are three main styles of pavers and slabs on the market used to build this type of terrace. Classic style products are characterized by regular shapes, sharp edges, smooth texture and uniform shade. Those in the antique style offer a more exploded texture, looking like they have suffered the wear of time, and nuanced earth colors. The natural style, for its part, relies on carved stones with wavy outlines or having a chiseled surface, a bit like slate; the colors are nuanced, and there are even products in non-standard sizes. In addition to pavers and slabs, manufacturers also offer steps, curbs and capping blocks in the same styles and imitating natural stones.
The layouts of your pavers or slabs allow you to create different patterns when building your deck. You can get linear patterns by arranging square or rectangular pieces and aligning them with staggered joints, much like a brick wall. If you prefer modular designs, use rectangular pieces and arrange them in different ways. The market also offers sets consisting of modules of various shapes and sizes. To create random patterns, opt for pieces with irregular outlines that you will lay as if you were making a mosaic.