Deck Materials

The material that you choose for you deck will be one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your deck design and durability…

Trex and TimberTech have been our first choices for over eight years. Synthetic materials are designed specifically for outdoors and can endure the harsh conditions that many environments are exposed to.

Trex is respected as a "GREEN" product as it is made from 100% recycled materials. Plastic grocery bags and reclaimed wood pulp are extruded into planks. Colors are embedded in this product so staining or painting are never required. Trex has many colors for different décor and tastes. Their exciting new color is called "saddle. " Saddle has a honey color giving it a much truer to wood look. Maintenance is a huge issue for outdoor products. Because Trex is made from plastic no cracking, checking or splintering will occur. Trex is bug, rot, and fire resistant. In addition it is non-slippery making it fantastic for pool, spa, and stair applications.  To learn more about Trex, click here.

TimberTech is also a plastic synthetic material similar to Trex with all the same positive attributes. TimberTech has lines embedded in it giving it a more natural look. TimberTech also has many colors available with a new Cedar color as well as dark grey. Timbertech has the unique design of its Tongue and Groove system allowing us to install a nailless installation with no additional labor. The product is screwed from the side versus the top giving it a very clean finish. Tongue and Groove products are recommended for certain installations only. Proper ventilation is a must.  To learn more about TimberTech, click here.

Both Trex and TimberTech are much cheaper than middle grade redwood and more durable. Wow! Trex and TimberTech have a track record of being in the deck industry for an extended period of time. Many new synthetic decking materials are constantly being introduced as the benefits of these products are apparent. Only the test of time can truly guarantee the longevity of any product. We highly recommend that you ask to see any product you are considering installing in an outdoor environments for over 5 years to feel comfortable with the durability. We can provide this for you.

For those who prefer the traditional West Coast Redwood deck we still do many of these installations. The secret is to choose materials with respect to the environment by installing them correctly so they will last as long as possible. Redwood commonly comes in three grades: Construction Heart, Heart B, and Clear Green. Construction Heart is not recommended for deck applications. Con heart has loose knots and blond wood which will encourage chipping, cracking, splintering and rotting. Using this material will mean your deck will look poor after only a few years or less. Heart B Redwood is the middle grade of Redwood. Heart B Redwood is a beautiful material. We use it on a lot of our decks. All materials are hand selected from large units, so we get only premium materials. Heart B has a tight grain and minimal tight knots. Clear Green Redwood is the top grade of Redwood with tight grain. In the past knots were not acceptable in this grade. Unfortunately, we have depleted the source so much that knots can be found. This product is old growth Redwood and should used as minimally as possible.

Cedar is another decking material used. Cedar is less expensive than Redwood and clearer material is available. Cedar is softer than Redwood and has a tendency to scratch or mar more easily.

If wood is your preference, Pau Lope, (or Ipe), is the ideal product. Pau Lope is a Brazilian hardwood harvested on a sustained yield basis. This wood looks like furniture and is incredibly dense. The cost for this material is similar to Clear Green Redwood. The price for installation is much higher due to the density of this product. Pre drilling is required before screwing. Beside the unsurpassed beauty of this product, Pau Lope lasts 4 to 5 times longer than Redwood. We have a 7 year old deck made from Pau Lope on display, by appointment, as well as Trex and TimberTech.

There are many choices. Maintenance, or lack of it, seems to be the wave of the future. Further education is available. Please give us a call. We encourage environmentally friendly materials whenever possible.

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