A Guide for Selecting the Best Decking Material for You

Wood is the original decking material and still the most common choice for Bay Area projects. It's natural, workable, and — in the right species — well-suited to the local climate. Even though all wood naturally weathers to a gray color, it should be cleaned and re-stained every two to three years to keep it looking its best.

Lasting about 15 years, pressure-treated wood is the least expensive option and the standard for deck substructure on the West Coast. Most is Douglas fir — strong, hard, and durable, used primarily for joists, beams, posts, and ledger boards rather than the surface itself. Paints and stains adhere well. Available at the Truitt & White lumberyard.

Extremely dense and highly durable, tropical hardwoods are rich in color and resistant to insects and decay — lasting about 25 years with minimal maintenance. They are expensive, heavy, and hard to work with; pre-drilling is required for all fasteners. Avoid dark woods if your deck sees significant direct sun, as they will retain significant heat.

A step up from pressure-treated wood, cedar and redwood contain natural defenses against rot and insects and last around 20 years. Redwood is the most fire-resistant wood commercially available — an important consideration for East Bay hills homes in or near WUI zones. Cedar is more eco-friendly and less expensive. Both need power-washing, sanding, and refinishing every three years or so.

Made by combining recycled plastic and wood fiber, modern composite decking resists fading, staining, scratching, and mold far better than earlier generations. Composites cost more upfront than most wood options, but when you factor in no staining, sealing, or refinishing, the lifetime cost is often comparable. In Bay Area fog-belt conditions, the heat-retention concerns common in hotter climates are typically not an issue.

Installation is less complicated when boards have the same texture on both sides — the board can't be placed incorrectly. Trex offers a smooth, double-sided finish on many of its products. Grooved-edge boards are available for use with hidden fasteners for a clean, screw-free deck surface.

TimberTech's TwinFinish has a brushed, textured surface on one face and a "VertiGrain" wood-grain surface on the other. Their Earthwood product combines VertiGrain with a serrated surface for additional traction. Two texture options on a single board gives installers and homeowners flexibility in the final look.

Grooves on the underside of composite decking make a board lighter without compromising stiffness. Grooves in the board edges allow the use of hidden fasteners so no screws are visible on the deck's face — a cleaner look with no maintenance complications from exposed hardware.

Cellular PVC decking is made entirely from plastic — there's no wood in it at all. More durable than composite and likely to last a lifetime. Splinter-free, requires almost no maintenance. The trade-off: it doesn't always look, sound, or feel much like wood, and some products squeak when walked on. Generally more expensive than composite. ForeverWood (1.2" thick) features hollow channels and a hidden rubberized strip to minimize noise; DeckoraWood (5/8" thick) can be placed over existing wood decks or concrete patios.

Eon decking features deep grooves on its underside for stiffness and a hidden clip system that eliminates visible fasteners. Its non-slip surface becomes less slippery when wet. Available in six colors.

While not nearly as common, aluminum is an ideal material for specialized applications. Lighter and stronger than wood, composite, and vinyl; resistant to mold, weather, and insects; and essentially lasts indefinitely. These qualities make aluminum the most expensive decking option — best suited for commercial applications, rooftop decks, or projects where fire resistance and extreme durability are the primary drivers.