Choosing Your Decking Material

Decking Materials: PT, Cedar or Composite?

Decking options for homeowners have grown greatly over the past several years. Here we will describe three main choices, each with their own aesthetics, maintenance, and price range.

If you’re planning to build a wooden deck this summer, you may have noticed that choosing a decking material has become much more difficult than ever before. Just a few years ago the only option was wood, which came in perhaps two or three species. Today, there are dozens of different decking materials available, including composite lumber, plastic decking and hardwood imports, and choosing which material depends on your budget, climate and personal preference. We will focus on three that we have readily available. 

So, before breaking ground on your new deck, let’s take a closer look at our basic types of decking available to you.

Pressure-Treated Lumber
This universal wood is the No. 1 decking material sold today, which isn’t surprising when you consider that pressure-treated (PT) decking is affordable, relatively durable, readily available, and easy to stain in many colours.

At Copp’s our decking is milled from pine, spruce or fir and then chemically treated to resist rot, fungus, and wood-boring bugs. This type of decking can last for about 15 years with the proper care. 

The downside of PT lumber is that it's less dimensionally stable, meaning that when exposed to the elements it tends to allow movement. It’s not unusual that one or more deck boards will need to be replaced after just a couple of years because of this. 

PT decking also requires more maintenance than most other decking materials. In order to prolong the life and look of the deck, it requires an annual cleaning and then a new coat of exterior-grade stain or clear wood preservative every two or three years. PT decking may be chemically treated that doesn’t mean it’s maintenance free.

Cedar
The next most popular wood-decking options is Western red cedar. Cedar is prized for its rich color, natural beauty, and the fact that it is chemical free. Cedar contain tannins and oils that make them naturally resistant to rot, decay, and avid insects. A deck made from cedar can last around 20 years with proper maintenance. 

Cedar is definitely more expensive than pressure treated lumber so keep this in mind when budgeting. 
You will need to clean, sand and refinish cedar approximately every 3-4 years to maintain its appearance. While cedar can last a long time, the sun will fade it to grey without proper protection. 

Composite
Composite decking is the next generation of decking. Composite and PVC are the two main types, and represent the fastest-growing decking materials sold today. Composite decking is made from a mixture of recycled plastic and wood fibers that’s molded into long, dense boards. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) decking, also called synthetic decking, is made of 100 percent plastic; there are no wood binders.

Composite and PVC decking are popular because they’re virtually maintenance free. Both types are extremely weather-resistant, easy to clean, and neither will ever splinter, warp, cup, or rot. And they don’t require sanding or staining. They’re available in a variety of colors and each features a wood-grain texture that looks quite natural. 

It is more expensive than regular wood, and it’s also heavier and will get hot underfoot in summer, so there are a few cons. However, with minimal maintenance and built-in UV resistance, the pros of this decking material make it a top pick.