Your deck is a place where you’ll enjoy cooking, visiting with friends and family, and generally enjoying the outdoors in your own backyard. There are a variety of building materials available to suit the style of your home, as well as your budget and maintenance requirements. The most common material used is wood or wood composite. The following are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the different types:

Wood Deck Materials

Pine: This is a soft wood that grows fast and is easy to work with. Due to its availability, it is generally affordable. However, this type of wood will need a lot of maintenance as it will require staining or painting on an annual basis. Pine is not a good choice for areas that receive a lot of snow and cold weather.

Mahogany – This hardwood is beautiful to look at, with rich color, tight grain, and free of knots. Resists rot and chipping. It requires regular maintenance with a good penetrating oil.

Redwood – This type has a straight grained wood and is red in color. It is considered durable and weather resistant compared to many other types. However, if you are located in Eastern California, it may cost you a little more for shipping.

Cedar: This type of wood is naturally resistant to rot and insects. However, it tends to splinter and may be considered too soft for your deck floor. It may be best used for the railing or other parts of your structure that won’t get much use.

IPE – This is a Brazilian hardwood that is resistant to rot, weather and insects. It stays cool in hot weather because it doesn’t retain heat. Plus, it won’t scratch or chip easily, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. It requires regular maintenance to maintain its rich color and hardy properties.

Composite Wood Decking

There are a variety of composite decking materials available. Some types contain more real wood than others, so they require more maintenance. There are materials that contain a polymer shield that is resistant to mold and mildew. Most compounds have a rich appearance and tolerate all types of weather well. They are generally resistant to scratches and stains. These types generally cost more initially due to their special qualities. You will likely save money in the long run because you won’t need to do as much regular maintenance as with other types of wood.

You want your platform to be a good investment considering your budget and the time you can set aside for maintenance. If something costs more now, it may cost you less to maintain later. If it costs less now, you can spend more time and money on maintenance over the years. Choose the wood or composite material that best suits your current and future needs.