Choosing materials for your deck can be intimidating, as there are hundreds of options available that each fit different needs. These materials all fit into one of four categories, and in our decades of experience we have chosen brands and materials that work best in our area. We have outlined our options below so you can make an educated decision that fits your needs and budget.
Wood Decks
We use a lot of Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) for deck flooring and railing, which is dense, durable and weathers well. Ipe has a reputation for lasting more than 75 years with little maintenance. We also are starting to use some Cumaru (Brazilian Teak) which is one of the hardest woods in the world, as a slightly cheaper alternative to Ipe. Cedar and Mahogany were once popular in this area, however we feel the quality of these woods is not as high as it once was. It seems to be softer with more knots, which causes it to be less rot resistant.
Vinyl Capped Composite
The newest technology in decking combines composite decking with PVC decking technology. These boards are made up of composite boards with a thin vinyl wrap on the outside. A composite deck board on its own will allow moisture to absorb into it, which will lead to mold, algae, and mildew issues. It also doesn’t hold up to the sunlight well, which means the color will fade much quicker. Add a vinyl shell and you get a much more durable deck board that removes many of those issues. We build many decks using Vinyl Capped Composite boards. Timbertech and Trex both offer a variety of colors in Capped Composite. We have a good relationship with both companies and would recommend their products.
Vinyl Decking (Cellular PVC)
Vinyl decking has been our favorite decking to work with since we began using it in 2004. That's when we started using the Azek brand decking, who has a great reputation in the industry. They have solved many of the issues that used to arise with vinyl decking and created the most durable vinyl decking on the market. Azek has a lifetime structural warranty as well as a 25-year fade and stain warranty on their vinyl decking.
Composite
This was once a very popular option for deck floors. It was introduced under the brand name Trex in the ‘90s. But the technology has remained virtually unchanged for years, so it now has been bypassed by newer PVC technology. We have had a few too many issues with composite decks that we built in the past, so we are wary of installing it again. But if you really want to save a few bucks on your new deck, we can install it for you. Keep in mind, though, you will spend much more time cleaning and keeping up with a composite deck compared to a PVC one. The color and beauty of a composite deck will fade sooner, and its lifespan will be shorter as well.
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Check Out Our Deck Flooring Options