Deck Restoration vs. Replacement: Which Option Is Best For You?

Decks are literal outdoor extensions of our living rooms, giving us a way and a place to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and dine without the constraints of being indoors. The bad news is, that a deck is constantly exposed to the weather and damaging elements like dirt, sun, rain, and snow.

These elements deteriorate the deck surface and structure over time, giving homeowners a headache and a dilemma: do a deck restoration or do a deck replacement? Honestly, there’s not a one-size-fits-all answer and we need to get into specifics so you can deduce one of the other options. 

In this guide, we’ll tackle just that and give you comprehensive insights so you can choose whether to restore or replace your deck. Read on!

Signs You Need a Deck Restoration

How will you know if your deck is still okay? If it needs a deck restoration, these signs will be evident: 

Minor Surface Wear and Tear (Fading & Splintering)

Fading and splintering are two common issues that occur when a deck deteriorates over time. Staining is caused by prolonged sun exposure while splintering can be a result of blunt force or trauma to the material brought about by daily wear and tear.

If you see these, a minor deck repair and restoration process can be done to prevent the issues from becoming worse. 

1. Loose Deck Boards 

If you stepped on a single deck board and felt something odd, that single board or more may be loose. Though loose boards can be a potential safety hazard, these are usually easy to fix by securing loose screws or replacing loose deck boards. 

2. Stains or Mildew

Noticed stains or mildew in your deck? It’s an unsightly thing to behold, but aside from that, staining and mildew can cause falls as these make the deck surface slippery. The good thing is, that regular cleaning and sealing can stomp mildew growth and also prevent minor staining. It can also be prevented by waterproofing your deck. 

3. Minor Structural Issues 

Minor issues such as slight warping or small cracks can be a safety hazard and may get worse when ignored. However, these issues are also easy to rectify and even prevented with regular maintenance. 

But if the issues are already present, minor board replacements can be done without compromising the deck’s structural integrity.

Benefits of Deck Restoration

Of course, restoring your deck is the first option to consider instead of an entire overhaul. Here are three benefits of deck restoration:

Cost-Effectiveness

Once you restore a deck, you’ll be surprised at how cheap and easy it is compared to a total replacement—once you know what to do, doing the restoration process itself will feel like a piece of cake both in terms of labor and costs. 

Faster Turnaround Time

Doing a deck repair and restoration is a faster process to complete than tearing down and building a new deck from scratch—that’s just the way it is. Minor surface repairs can be done in a day, while some minor structural issues can be completed in a few days compared to several weeks for a total replacement. 

Environmental Benefits 

Restoring a deck is eco-friendly since it reduces the need to source new and raw materials. Since repair and restoration basically extend the deck’s life, homeowners can rest assured they’re contributing less waste and carbon footprint to the environment.

Common Deck Repairs 

Signs You Need a Deck Replacement

But when your deck has major damages and its overall state is already in question, you might want to consider getting it replaced. Here are signs you need a total deck replacement:

1. Extensive Structural Damage (Beams & Joists)

If you see extensive structural damage in the beams and joists of your deck, it might be high time to discuss a total replacement. Severe damage in the beams and joists can compromise the entire structure’s stability and put users at risk. 

2. Rotting or Warping of Deck Boards 

When severe rotting and warping are observed, there’s usually an issue of water penetration that can only be solved once you tear every board together. Until then, the rotting will only spread to new ones and weaken the entire deck surface. 

3. Leaning or Sagging of the Deck Frame

As this is a severe structural issue that presents a total collapse hazard, we recommend tearing down the deck and just creating a new one. Leaning or sagging is indicative of load and foundation issues, and needs to be promptly addressed to prevent accidents. 

4. Deck Failure Posing Safety Hazards 

If several parts of your deck pose safety hazards simultaneously, such as an unstable staircase, leaning railings, and uneven deck surface, we suggest a total replacement. These safety hazards indicate the deck’s condition is too poor to be used and can cause an actual accident. 

5. Outdated Design Not Meeting Current Needs

Sometimes, replacing a deck doesn’t mean it’s not structurally sound. At times, the aesthetics of the deck do not complement the aesthetics of the overall property and provide adequate function and space. If this is the case for you, replacing the deck allows for a total overhaul to your needs in mind.

Benefits of Deck Replacement

Opportunity to Create Your Dream Deck 

Replacing your deck allows for an opportunity to start from scratch and make your plans into reality. You can include features your deck didn’t have before and customize it according to your style and preferences. 

Usage of Low-Maintenance Materials

If you start from scratch again, you can choose low-maintenance but durable materials like composite so you only need minimal upkeep compared to standard wood. Composites are weather-resistant and are generally longer-lasting. 

Potential Property Value Increase

If you’re looking to sell your property in the near future, a complete deck overhaul can help you command a higher value to prospective buyers. Since decks are a good, aesthetic outdoor extension of the living room, it’s usually one of the features most homebuyers look for today.

Deck Restoration vs. Replacement: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Cost 

Deck Restoration: costs less as it doesn’t need new materials and focuses on repairing and restoring existing materials.

Deck Replacement: costs are higher upfront due to the need for new materials, labor, permits, and miscellaneous fees. 

Use our Decking Calculator if you’re planning for a deck replacement to have an estimated cost for this project. 

Timeframe

Deck Restoration: the process is quicker than a replacement. Minor repairs can be completed in a day, while some minor restoration can take a few days. 

Deck Replacement: time-intensive, needs a couple of weeks to be completed. Plus additional days for debris and waste collection and cleaning. 

Disruption to Outdoor Living

Deck Restoration: minimal disruption, doesn’t take up too much space and the work can be completed quicker than a replacement. 

Deck Replacement: entails significant disruption due to the construction space needed and extended construction timeframe. 

Sustainability

Deck Restoration: more sustainable, uses existing materials and just a few new materials. This reduces waste products compared to a total replacement. 

Deck Replacement: though generates a lot of waste compared to a restoration, it provides an opportunity to use more sustainable materials like composites. 

Which Option is Better For You: Deck Restoration or Replacement?

In the end, only you can assess your deck’s current situation. Armed with the knowledge we shared, we’re sure you can make an informed decision whether to do a deck restoration or a deck replacement.

Whichever you choose, we’re here to make your deck projects colorful and cost-effective! 

Oakio is an industry-leading pioneer in composite wood manufacturing offering sustainable, long-lasting, and low-maintenance composite products we’re sure you’ll love for your decking project.

Get in touch with us today!

Enjoyed this article? Consider subscribing to our newsletter today to be in the know with our latest article uploads and get rewards through our subscriber-exclusive promos and discounts!