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COMPOSITE OR WOOD DECKING?

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COMPOSITE OR WOOD DECKING?

Composite decking or wood decking?

Making the right choice for your custom Michigan deck.

You may wonder how to decide between a composite deck (like Trex or AZEK), a natural wood deck (like Pine, Cedar or an exotic wood like Ipe). Or, you may be considering a combination (Cedar decking with composite railings, for example).

What’s the best decking type for you? That depends on several things:

your budget
the ongoing time and money you have for yearly deck maintenance
the look you want for your deck
how long you expect your deck to last before needing resurfacing

We call the boards you walk on, “deck boards” or “decking.” Deck boards come in different sizes, but typically they measure about 5.5 inches wide by 1.25 inches thick. When we resurface a deck, we keep the same frame and posts–we just replace the visible deck boards, railing and trim. In fact, we often replace wood decking with composite decking when we resurface a deck.

Keep reading for more information composite and wood decking, and view our portfolio for more deck images.

Wood or Composite Decking?

What's right for you?

Maintenance

Wood decks require annual sealing/staining to avoid fading, splintering, and decay.
Composite decks require cleaning only.

Environmental Impact

Modern, treated wood decks are sustainably sourced, safe, and compostable. Annually sealing and staining does require strong chemical use.
Composite decking is made of recycled materials (mostly plastic bags). However, it cannot be recycled.

Price

Pressure Treated Pine is affordable, but needs yearly maintenance and will be replaced soonest.
Cedar costs more than Pine, and needs annual care. However, it’s a hardwood and lasts 25-40 yrs.
Capped composite is more expensive, but requires less annually and lasts about 25 years.
Exotic hardwoods, like Ipe, cost the most up front and have yearly care costs. Although they change color over time, they can last 40 yrs.

COMPOSITE DECKING OPTIONS

What is composite decking?
What are the pros & cons of composite decking?

Composite deck boards, which came on the scene in the early 1990’s, use recycled plastic. Capped composite decking (like Trex decking) is made of a mix of wood fibers and plastic. Trex recycles an incredible number of plastic bags into their popular decking.

Capped PVC (from TimberTech’s AZEK line, for example), is 100% plastic. To make capped PVC deck boards, a machine pushes a plastic-based material out into a board. Then, the board gets wrapped with a rigid plastic shell that comes in a variety of colors and grain patterns. The shell protects against mildew, scratching, staining, and fading.

The initial investment in composite decking can save money in the long run: In contrast to wood decking (like Treated Pine, Cedar, Ipe, etc.), composite decking from companies like Trex or Timbertech/AZEK will never need to be re-sealed or stained. However, just like wood, it does need some deck maintenance. We recommend cleaning your deck according to manufacturer instructions at least twice a year (spring and fall).

Here at JMJ Residential/Ann Arbor Decks, we’re seasoned TimberTech decking installers, and have achieved TrexPro Platinum status with a 5-star rating.

TrexⓇ Composite Decking

Trex has led the composite decking industry for over 20 years. This popular manufacturer offers a full line of composite decking, railing, and trim products with many color and style choices. Their Trex Transcend Tropicals and Lineage lines (both capped composite) offer a 50 year fade and stain warranty.

Visit Trex Website

Visit our TrexPro Gallery

TimberTech/AZEK Composite Decking

TimberTech/AZEK is the leading manufacturer of cellular pvc decking, another wood alternative. AZEK deck boards offer the same benefits as capped composites (low maintenance and resistance to staining and fading), plus a limited lifetime warranty. Cellular pvc decking requires very little maintenance (usually only an occasional cleaning with soap and water). AZEK is available in a large selection of colors and price points.

Visit TimberTech/AZEK Website

Composite Decks

WOOD DECKING OPTIONS

Treated Pine Decking

Pressure Treated (PT) Pine deck boards are the most common and most economical choice for decking. Pine lumber is green when it is first installed and will fade to a grayish color if not stained or sealed. However, if not properly sealed or maintained, it may warp, split or splinter.

Western Red Cedar Decking (Hardwood)

While you will pay more for Western Red Cedar than for Pressure Treated Pine, it’s still an affordable, beautiful natural wood option. Cedar decking naturally resists rotting, insects and decay. Western Red Cedar is a hardwood, which makes it more stable than pressure treated lumber. It’s also less likely to splinter.

Everyone enjoys Cedar’s warm brown tones, distinctive grain, and knotty character. Protect this hardwood with high-quality wood stain.

Ipe Decking (Exotic Hardwood)

Ipe (pronounced e-pay) decking offers lush tones, lovely grain, and unmatched durability. This most popular of exotic hardwoods hails from South America, and it naturally resists rot and insects. Sometimes called “Iron Wood,” Ipe is one of the densest woods in existence. Its density and tight wood grain can prevent it from cracking or splintering for up to an incredible 40 years.

Regularly treat your Ipe decking with oil to retain its dark brown tone, or allow it to age to a pleasing silver.

Other Hardwood Decking

Cumaru, Tigerwood, Massaranduba and Garapa are gorgeous hardwood decking options. Each of these hardwood decking species offers its own unique color, grain pattern, and characteristics.