What Is the Best Decking Material for Your Home?

Key Takeaways

• The best material for your deck depends on your location and budget.
• Natural materials have a lower initial investment, but have higher maintenance expenses long-term.
• Light-toned boards minimize surface heat absorption across full-sun exposures.
• Environmental factors play a significant role in your decking material selection process.

Choosing a deck material is an important step in the deck design or resurfacing process. Ultimately, whether you decide to go with natural options vs composite options depends on your location, your budget and your long-term maintenance goals. The most popular decking options are typically:

• Pressure-treated wood
• Cedar wood decking
• Different composite options

Pressure-Treated Lumber

Pressure-treated lumber is a common choice for surface decking. While under pressure, preservative chemicals are infused into this dense softwood to deter insect and rot damage.

Pros of Pressure-Treated Lumber

• Budget-friendly initial price point
• Widely available
• Natural appearance
• Ideal for hiding deck framing and joists

Cons of Pressure Treated Lumber

• Susceptible to warping, splintering, and cracking
• Requires power-washing, sealing, or staining every 1–2 years
• Uses face-driven deck screws that can pull out or pool water
• Typical surface lifespan is 10–15 years

Cedar Decking

Cedar as a decking material is a popular choice. Its natural resistance to rot coupled with the natural tannins and distinct aromatic oils make it a desirable option.

Pros of Cedar

• Natural beauty
• Distinct aroma
• Stays cooler underfoot than darker synthetic boards
• Deters pests and rot without heavy chemical treatments
• Less prone to dramatic cupping than pressure-treated wood

Cons of Cedar

• Substantially higher material cost than pressure-treated wood
• Requires penetrating oil re-treatments every 1–2 years
• Vulnerable to scratches and scuffs

Capped Composite Decking

Capped composite decking consists of 95%+ recycled wood fibers and dense polymer plastics encased in a protective, non-porous outer shell. This option as a decking material has come a long way since its first iteration in the early 2000’s, which had a propensity to absorb moisture. The moisture often leads to mildew. Today, composite is capped on 3 or 4 sides to lock out moisture entirely.

Pros of Capped Composite Decking

• Low maintenance
• Won’t splinter, rot, or house wood-boring insects
• Installed with concealed hidden fastener clips for a clean, barefoot-friendly finish free of screw heads
• Typically backed by 25- to 35-year fade and stain warranties
• Available in wood grains

Cons of Capped Composite Decking

• Higher initial material investment than lumber
• Darker colors absorb midday heat under direct, unshaded sunlight

The Best Deck Material for Full Sun and Direct Heat

If you have a south-facing deck, or you don’t have much tree cover nearby, you should consider the impact of the sun and heat on your decking material choice.

Dark finishes absorb the sun’s infrared rays, making it uncomfortable to walk on with bare feet, most notably during the summer when everyone is enjoying their deck the most. Selecting a lighter shade for your surface decking material can help to combat this challenge.

Furthermore, advanced UV-resistant composite caps prevent solar radiation from bleaching, cracking, and peeling that stained wood experiences. This makes composite a premier choice if you’re concerned with heat absorption.

Another way to combat the effects of the sun is to install shade solutions, such as retractable awnings, pergolas, or shaded seating zones. This is especially useful for south- and west-facing decks.

Choose Your Deck Materials Based on Your Locale and Home Needs

As those in the Midwest know all too well, Minnesota and Wisconsin can have drastic swings in weather in short periods of time.

Best Deck Material for Minnesota and the Twin Cities Metro

At our coldest, we can experience prolonged days of -50+ degree wind chills, and at our warmest, it can climb to over 100 degrees. The sub-zero winter freezes, heavy snow accumulation, high summer humidity, as well as prolonged freeze-thaw cycles in spring and fall all add up to wear and tear on your deck. That’s why the best fit for Minnesota decks is fully capped composite. Its moisture-resistant shell protects against humidity in the summer and ice penetration in the winter. Pressure-treated wood and cedar are vulnerable to moisture, which is why both have a shorter lifespan as deck material than capped composite.

Best Deck Material for Wisconsin and Cabin Country

In Wisconsin, homeowners are no stranger to lakefront moisture, dense tree shade, seasonal humidity, and a constant battle against algae, lichen, and mold. Because of this, the best deck material for Wisconsin decks is capped composite. The low maintenance requirements, coupled with its resistance to mold and mildew growth, make it a great option so you can spend your time enjoying the outdoors and not working on deck maintenance.

The Best Deck Material for Snow, Ice, and Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Minnesota and Wisconsin have notoriously harsh winters with snow, ice, and flip-flopping freeze-thaw cycles that happen multiple times before spring truly arrives. This takes a toll on anything outside, but especially decking surface boards. Freeze-thaw damage happens when porous wood boards absorb water, and then the temperature drops below freezing. The ice expands as it forms, splitting wood fibers and accelerating internal rot and surface cracking. It’s important to note that thanks to its water-resistant design, this vicious freeze-thaw cycle damage doesn’t happen to capped composite.

Capped composite also has the benefit of its optional embossed wood-grain texture, which provides better traction during snowmelt and rain. To keep this texture intact, it’s best to use plastic shovels that don’t have a metal wear strip on the edge. When shoveling or sweeping, be sure to go parallel to the board grain to preserve the material’s texture. It’s also recommended to use calcium chloride or a deck-safe ice melt in place of abrasive rock salts or sand. Taking these steps will help to prevent winter damage to your deck.

The Best Deck Material for Dogs and Active Families

If you have dogs or an active household, you know that your chosen decking material will need to take a beating. Composite boards don’t splinter, unlike cedar or pressure-treated wood, so you’ll never have to worry about slivers.

Composite is also a great choice for its scratch resistance. The heavy polymer protective caps resist scratches and gouges from claws and furniture. The fastener clips for composite can be hidden between board grooves, which eliminates the chance of an exposed screw head. No more stubbed toes! And finally, composite’s non-porous surface stops mud, pet accidents, grill grease, and more from soaking into the material, and can easily be rinsed with mild soap and a hose.

Deciding Which Deck Material Is Right for Your Home and Budget

Treated lumber is typically $3-$6/sqft. However, installation, annual maintenance supplies, power washing, board repairs, and labor ($600-$1,200 annually) add up over the years. Long-term, wood is typically more expensive than composite once you hit years 7 through 10, and increases from there.

Composite often boosts your home’s resale value and curb appeal. It’s especially favorable with homebuyers who are looking for low-maintenance outdoor living areas. So consider the long-term expenses in conjunction with the initial expense to install your chosen material.

Give us a call or fill out the contact form to schedule a free deck consultation from the friendly and knowledgeable Hoffman Weber Construction team.

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Deck Materials

Does composite decking get too hot to walk on barefoot?

Composite boards absorb heat under direct sunlight, similar to natural wood or concrete. If your deck faces south or is in an unshaded area, it is recommended to choose a lighter color, which reflects sunlight rather than absorbing it, making it a cooler option. An additional option if your deck will be in the sun is to install a pergola or an awning to cut the heat.

Can I shovel snow and use ice melt on a composite deck?

Absolutely! It’s important to use a plastic shovel that doesn’t have a metal edge. For clearing ice, ensure that you use a deck-safe calcium chloride type pellet, rather than sand or harsh rock salts. Also remember to rinse the deck early in the spring to avoid any residual calcium chloride from eroding the surface.

Will dog claws scratch capped composite boards?

Composite has come a long way and now features a protective outer polymer shell that is specifically engineered to resist dog claw scratches from even rough play.

Can I resurface my existing deck with composite boards without replacing the frame?

Resurfacing your existing deck with composite boards is sometimes possible. This is known as re-decking. To see if your deck is a good candidate for re-decking, contact us via phone or our contact form. One of our team members will come and carefully inspect your deck to ensure it’s structurally sound, level, and properly spaced. From there, we’ll provide you with a free estimate with your chosen surface board material.

How long does a composite deck last compared to pressure-treated wood?

Decking material available with Hoffman Weber has the following lifespans:

• Pressure-treated wood: 10 to 15 years
• Cedar: 15 - 20 years
• Capped composite: 25 to 35+ years

Are composite deck boards slippery when wet from rain or snow?

Thanks to modern engineering, composite deck boards are not slippery when wet, given their embossed wood-grain texture. This texture provides superior slip resistance and traction.

What is the difference between capped and uncapped composite decking?

Capped composite is sealed on all sides to stop water from being absorbed, along with harsh UV rays and food spills. The uncapped composite decking of the 1990’s and early 2000’s did not have this coating to protect it, and that’s why you may see some old composite decking and rails that are deteriorating faster than the newer version.