Compare Available Materials
Each material has its own advantages. Select a material in the drop-down menu and compare available options to find what works best for you.
Pressure-treated (PT) wood
Pressure-treated lumber is the most commonly used decking material. PT wood should always be used instead of fresh, untreated pine lumber.
Maintenance : Wait 6 months to 1 year to apply stain / paint. Pressure-wash and stain 1 time every year. Refinish every 3 years.
Weight : Medium
Hardness : Medium
Color : Brown; can be stained / painted.
Cost : $$$$
Maintenance : Wait 6 months to 1 year to apply stain / paint. Pressure-wash and stain 1 time every year. Refinish every 3 years.
Weight : Medium
Hardness : Medium
Color : Brown; can be stained / painted.
Cost : $$$$
Cedar
Make sure to purchase heartwood to ensure uniformity of wood grain.
Maintenance : Apply a semi-transparent oil-based stain after construction and once every year. Prior to applying the stain, clean the deck with a scrub brush, soap, and water yearly. Every 3 to 4 years, refinish the surface.
Weight : Light
Hardness : Soft
Color : Red and natural; stain / paint not recommended.
Cost : $$$$
Maintenance : Apply a semi-transparent oil-based stain after construction and once every year. Prior to applying the stain, clean the deck with a scrub brush, soap, and water yearly. Every 3 to 4 years, refinish the surface.
Weight : Light
Hardness : Soft
Color : Red and natural; stain / paint not recommended.
Cost : $$$$
Redwood
Make sure to purchase heartwood to ensure uniformity of wood grain. Redwood may not be available depending on your location.
Maintenance : Apply a semi-transparent oil-based stain after construction and once every year. Prior to applying the stain, clean the deck with a scrub brush, soap, and water yearly. Every 3 to 4 years, refinish the surface.
Weight : Heavy
Hardness : Hard
Color : Yellow-red; do not stain / paint.
Cost : $$$$
Maintenance : Apply a semi-transparent oil-based stain after construction and once every year. Prior to applying the stain, clean the deck with a scrub brush, soap, and water yearly. Every 3 to 4 years, refinish the surface.
Weight : Heavy
Hardness : Hard
Color : Yellow-red; do not stain / paint.
Cost : $$$$
IPE
If properly cared for, IPE decking will last longer than any of the other material selections.
Maintenance : Clean the surface with a soft brush, soap, and water yearly. Do not apply any sealant / stain / paint. Resurface when needed.
Weight : Heavy
Hardness : Hard
Color : Brown-red; cannot accept stain / paint.
Cost : $$$$
Maintenance : Clean the surface with a soft brush, soap, and water yearly. Do not apply any sealant / stain / paint. Resurface when needed.
Weight : Heavy
Hardness : Hard
Color : Brown-red; cannot accept stain / paint.
Cost : $$$$
Composite
This material is even-grained and lasts at least twice as long as PT wood if cared for properly. Beware that certain liquids may leave stains and that scuffs and scratches are likely. A generous warranty is critical as quality can vary greatly between manufacturers' products.
Maintenance : Clean with manufacturer's cleaning product and scrub brush 1–3 times yearly. Cannot refinish.
Weight : Heavy
Hardness : Medium
Color : Several colour choices avail. per mfr. Cannot accept stain / paint.
Cost : $$$$
Maintenance : Clean with manufacturer's cleaning product and scrub brush 1–3 times yearly. Cannot refinish.
Weight : Heavy
Hardness : Medium
Color : Several colour choices avail. per mfr. Cannot accept stain / paint.
Cost : $$$$
Vinyl
Vinyl or PVC decking material is an alternative to composite materials. In addition to IPE, vinyl is the most uniform material and the most resistant to moisture resistance, rot, shrinking, and insect damage. The material is also the least of all materials to have a natural look. Occasionally, vinyl is known to cause squeaking when walked upon.
Maintenance : Pressure-wash yearly with soap and water. Use vinegar and water if mould and mildew form. Cannot refinish.
Weight : Light
Hardness : Soft
Color : Several colour choices avail. per mfr. Cannot accept stain / paint.
Cost : $$$$
Maintenance : Pressure-wash yearly with soap and water. Use vinegar and water if mould and mildew form. Cannot refinish.
Weight : Light
Hardness : Soft
Color : Several colour choices avail. per mfr. Cannot accept stain / paint.
Cost : $$$$
Euro-tile PT Wood
Building a deck can be as creative as you are willing to take it. European-inspired wood deck tiles that can be inlayed on top of a deck frame. The benefit of using a Europe-inspired wood tile would be the ease of construction and aesthetics.
Maintenance : Maintenance is the same as that of PT Wood.
Weight : Medium
Hardness : Medium
Color : Brown; can be stained / painted.
Cost : $$$$
Maintenance : Maintenance is the same as that of PT Wood.
Weight : Medium
Hardness : Medium
Color : Brown; can be stained / painted.
Cost : $$$$
