Having a deck to access means outdoor eating and barbecuing for most of us. For others it can mean relaxed sunbathing or a pleasant place to read. For teenagers, it means a place to hang out and chat and laugh away from the watchful eye (and ear) of mom. The whole family will benefit!

Once you have the pleasure and freedom of being able to walk out on your own deck, you will always want to have a deck. So how much would it cost you? One quote gives the national average cost for a deck as around $8,000.00. This is using medium priced lumber and hiring a contractor.

Decks are reported to give a national average of 55% return on your money when it comes to selling your home, so in terms of dollar value, over half the money you expend will be returned to you.

If you live in an some areas of California, the return is quoted as high as 143% due to its mild climate and consequently the residents' constant usage of a deck. This means that if you spent $8,000.00 on a deck you could increase the value of your property by over $11,000.00! If you make the deck a family project and invite everyone to help for the weekend, (like the old days of 'barn raising') you can also cut costs by saving on the contractor fees.

Another way to cut costs is to choose economy materials, but this choice is also dependent on how long you will plan to stay at the house before selling, and how good you are at up-keep.

If you want totally maintenance-free, these days you can buy man made composite lumber or all-vinyl decking. Neither is economy-priced but both are guaranteed to last years and years! Composite lumber combines properties of both wood and plastic. It is slip resistant, does not splinter or warp, and needs no sealants or protection. It can be painted or stained if you want and boasts low water absorption. Composite lumber cannot be damaged by water, sun or insects.

Vinyl decking is durable in all climates. It is also slip resistant and has excellent durability against rotting or warping. There is a limited color choice, it being available in three colors, tan, gray and white, but one big plus is that it only needs cleaning with a garden hose.

An important quality of vinyl decking is the fact that it is virtually stain-free. Both the composite lumber and the vinyl decking are more expensive initially than regular lumber; however, they are also environmentally friendly. The manufacturers of composite lumber decking guarantee that they use no virgin wood and specify that they use re-cycled plastic grocery bags in the manufacturing process. It is always very cool underfoot.

If you decide to build a more traditional deck and use regular lumber, the medium priced woods are fir and cedar, with redwood being more expensive. You can save more money by using pressure treated wood, which is resistant to insects and water damage, but will not endure the sun so well in extremely sunny areas.