Pressure Treated wood is the most cost-effective decking choice on the market. The chemical preservatives that keep it from rotting give it a greenish hue. Recently switched from CCA to ACQ today’s arsenic free version is more earth friendly. Pressure treated wood will grey and splinter with time.

Knotty cedar is a good wood choice for the budget conscious. With no chemicals it is naturally rot resistant. One of the softer wood choices, cedar is prone to scratching, and will splinter and grey with time.

Redwood is now rarely used in this area for decks as the price points of redwood and mahogany are comparable enough that most people purchase the harder and nicer mahogany. Redwood like cedar is soft and prone to scratching, and will grey over time.

Mahogany a much denser, harder wood than cedar or redwood is less prone to splinter or scratch. If mahogany is left untreated it will still grey but splinter less.

Ipe or as it is called, Ironwood is a tropical Brazilian hardwood. Atlantic City, Jones Beach, and The South Street Seaport all have Ipe. It is very difficult to work with and is for professional installation only. Ipe is not likely to splinter at all, and if left untreated will turn a nice silver grey. Ipe can be sealed or stained but it is not recommended.

A blend of typically 50 % wood and 50% plastic composites offers a variety of color choices, patterns, and railing styles. They are a lower maintenance alternative to wood decking that will not splinter. Composites provide excellent traction wet or dry, and do not require sealing. However there are no “maintenance free” deck products regardless of what you may have read or have been told. See our decking page under services for more info.

The newest addition to our growing list of products for your deck is a brand-new category. Cellular P.V.C. offers better stain, and scratch resistance that any other product currently on the market. The ULM or ultra low maintenance boards are lighter and more rigid than current composites.