Homosassa Decks and Docks Wood is still the king of decking materials, due to its economy and strength.  Natural-wood decking products can be roughly divided into three categories: pressure- treated lumber, redwood and cedar, and tropical hardwoods. Which material is best for your new deck will depend on factors including decking color, available board sizes, maintenance requirements, and price. Pressure treated wood is an affordable and attractive solution for decks and docks alike. The downside of PT lumber is that routine maintenance is necessary to prolong the life and look of the deck. An annual power washing and an application of stain or wood preservative every two or three years will be necessary to get the most from your wood. Even then, wood needs to be replaced frequently compared to manufactured materials. Not all wood called “pressure treated” is the same, so don’t compare boards just on price. Make sure you do your homework before buying any pressure treated wood: • Wood variety: At American Marine Contractors, all of our wood is sustainable and known for its longevity. • Lumber Grade: Lumber grades indicate number of knots and imperfections in the wood and the straightness of the grain. We suggest “premium” or “select” for the best results. And, since many of the higher grade choices are kiln-dried, they have less tendency to warp. • Wood Treatment: Chemical treatment levels will affect how long the wood will last in marine, humid or other wet environments. Make sure to look at the tags on the end of wooden boards.  If you’re near or on the water always look for wood approved for “Ground Contact.” Whenbuilding a dock on saltwater, you should always opt for “Marine Grade” lumber.   Composite Decking The Homosassa coastal environment is very brutal on decks and docks, but today’s modern technology knows how to outsmart these elements.  Composite decking technology has come light years since the gray and one-dimensional boards of the 1980’s. They now have realistic wood-grain textures and colors to match almost any home.  Modern decking options offer homeowners a lasting investment that looks terrific and requires almost no maintenance at all. We’ll walk you through all the options and find the perfect fit for your budget and project. Simplify your composite decking by weighing the importance of 7 key issues like budget, sunlight, moisture, appearance, building codes and the cost of extra accessories. Some composite types will meet your needs and some may not. Today composite decking is a great low-maintenance alternative to wood. The industry had some growing pains in the past but the materials continue to improve and the number of quality products on the market increases each passing year. Just ten years ago there were only about 10 choices. Now there are more than 50 different composite decking products available on the market.   Honest and Quality Workmanship American Marine Contractors is a residential and commercial marine construction company.  Our quality workmanship has earned us a reputation as one of Homosassa and Citrus Counties premiere contractors.  As a full service marine contractor we understand the complexities and unique conditions associated with the marine construction industry.   Distinctive Commercial and Residential Docks We can use wood or composite decking. We will build you the dock you want with no surprises or disappointments. If you can dream it or sketch it we can build it. We maintain control throughout the design and construction process to ensure that your dock is built to the highest quality standards we both demand.