Decks provide homey, organic outdoor social spaces, perfect for hosting friends and family in the fresh air.
However, decks are expensive to install, and picking the wrong species of wood for your budget and needs can be a costly mistake.
I spoke to decking experts about the best wood for your deck ideas, and they revealed exactly which species are best suited to different yards.
1. Cedar is almost always best
The experts agree that cedar is the best wood for a deck. It's relatively cheap, naturally rot-resistant, and looks as good as much more expensive wood species. It's easily available, too - you can get cedar deck boards at hardware stores like Menards or Home Depot.
Deck expert Scott Paul says 'Cedar is my personal favorite for decking. It's naturally resistant to decay, rot, and insect infestation, including termites. This built-in protection helps the wood last longer without using chemical treatments.' Scott adds 'It's also lightweight, stable, and has an incredible amount of longevity, with proper maintenance keeping cedar sharp for 20-25 years.'
Renovator Mark Lumpkin agrees. 'I have a preference for cedar decking because it has natural resistance to decay and insect damage, and has a lot of visual texture. This creates a warm and welcoming appearance. It's also low maintenance, which was an important factor in selecting a beautiful but practical deck option for my projects.'
However, cedar isn't perfect. Scott warns 'Cedar can be prone to scratching and denting, a potential concern in high-traffic areas.'
2. Save money with pressure-treated pine
Pressure-treated pine is a good way to save money. This ingenious wood is created by placing cheap pine in a vacuum chamber alongside a copper alloy. The vacuum sucks the copper deep inside the wood, protecting it from insects, algae, and bacteria. Scott Paul says 'This means that the PT pine has lots of advantages: availability, durability, and longevity.' It's tough, easy to source, and lasts for years.
Best of all, it's the cheapest option. If you need to keep costs low, you need pressure-treated pine. Scott explains that 'Pressure-treated pine is the most economically friendly decking material. It's the cheapest by the foot, and is readily available at most lumber yards.'
Mark Lumpkin agrees, and says 'In most cases, pressure-treated wood is the cheapest option out there per foot. I remember one renovation in which budget was a primary concern, and pressure-treated wood provided a strong, cost-effective solution.' You can find cheap pressure-treated pine boards at Lowe's and most other hardware stores.
However, there are several drawbacks to pressure-treated pine. Scott says that it doesn't look as good as other options, and the texture is very rough, so it needs sanding to keep it comfortable when barefoot.
Pressure-treated pine also needs a lot of maintenance. Mark Lumpkin says ' Pressure-treated pine is prone to warping and splintering and can present environmental issues. I have used pressure-treated decking in a project with a tight budget and although its first performance was great, it must constantly be maintained to fix some of its challenges and deficiencies.'
3. Try redwood for striking, dark color
Redwood is another popular choice with similar properties to cedar, but a deeper, rich color. Scott Paul says 'Redwood has a rich and reddish-brown color with a straight grain that many may find visually appealing. Similar to cedar, redwood contains natural oils and tannins that help protect against decay and insects. Redwood is more resistant to warping and checking than other wood types.' Just like cedar, a redwood deck can last for decades if properly maintained.
However, this maintenance is one of the drawbacks of redwood. Scott warns that 'Like cedar, redwood will require regular maintenance to maintain its color and protect it from the elements.'
Though it expands less than other woods, it expands more than cedar or PT pine, so it's not always a good choice for wet parts of the country. Redwood availability varies throughout the country, too. It's easiest to find on the West Coast but trickier to source further east.
4. Pick composite lumber for easy maintenance
Composite lumber is made by combining wood fibers with plastics. It's often made from post-industrial and post-consumer materials like sawdust and recycled plastics, so it can be an environmentally friendly option.
The big benefit of composite lumber is that it doesn't need staining or sanding, and it's incredibly resistant to rot and insects. Scott Paul says 'Composite lumber never rots or decays and has no specific maintenance needs. It also has lots of variety in colors and styles.' It's widely available, too - you can find composite deck boards like Trex at Home Depot, for example.
However, composite lumber has big drawbacks. Scott says 'It can be very expensive compared to natural wood options. It also retains a lot of heat in direct sunlight, so it can be uncomfortable to walk on.'
But the biggest disadvantage to composite lumber is its appearance. Scott warns that 'Composite lumber has a plastic and unnatural looking appearance that is prone to fading and stains.'
Mark Lumpkin agrees and says 'Composite lumber provides a low-maintenance option with great durability and resistance to moisture and insects, but its relatively high upfront cost and lack of wood aesthetic can be drawbacks. While I’ve seen composite decks that look fresh with little upkeep, there are some clients who feel they miss the organic warmth and character that traditional wood provides.'
5. Use teak for high-end decks
Teak is a durable, water-resistant tropical hardwood. It's so water-resistant that it's commonly used on the decks of luxury yachts. Teak is particularly in demand for high-end outdoor furniture because it's durable, smooth, and has a warm, golden brown color.
However, teak is expensive, and it's also hard to find ethical sources of teak. Teak is an important revenue stream for the military junta in Myanmar, and while under sanctions in the US, Myanmar teak can be sold into India and China and then sold in the US, bypassing the sanctions.
Mark Lumpkin says 'Teak is sought after for its durability and natural oils that naturally repel moisture and insects, but its expense and sustainable sourcing issues can be significant drawbacks. I installed teak on a high-end outdoor job where its durability and upscale look were worth the cost, although bringing it in responsibly was difficult.'
6. Choose ipê for durability
Ipê - also known as Brazilian walnut - is a dark tropical hardwood found in central and southern America, especially Brazil. Ipê is one of the densest woods in the world and is incredibly rot-resistant. Ipê is so dense that it has the same fire safety rating as concrete, and it's one of the few types of wood that doesn't float.
However, this same density makes ipê hard to work with, and it's so sought-after that prices are very high. Mark Lumpkin warns, 'While ipê is known for its superior durability and density, as well as its beautiful dark appearance, its high cost and density make it potentially less suited for widespread usage. I once installed an ipê deck that turned heads the second it was finished, though the difficulty in installation and cost mean it won't work for budget-sensitive projects.'
7. Pick garapa for comfort
Garapa is another tropical hardwood beloved for its density, smooth finish, and look. However, like teak and ipê, garapa is expensive, and it can be hard to find ethical sources. It also needs more work than both teak and ipê.
Mark Lumpkin says 'Garapa has a light and smooth finish, good decay resistance, and is suitable for decking, but the light color tends to fade, requiring more effort in refinishing than darker hardwoods.'
FAQs
Are there any woods you should never use for a deck?
It's best to avoid oak and cherry wood for decks. It seems like oak would be a great choice because it's so hard-wearing, but oak has poor water-resistance, and it's expensive. Mark warns that 'In one project, oak required careful structural planning and constant maintenance, but provided a firm foundation.' Cherry wood looks great, but it's too soft to be practical for a deck. Mark says 'Cherry is a lovely wood and I have milled custom decks featuring that species, but it's exceedingly soft and I found it needed more attention than other species.'
Almost all the species mentioned above need a fair amount of maintenance. Whichever species you opt for, learning how to preserve decking and protect your deck from sun damage will keep it looking its best for years.
