Top 5 Best Decking Materials

While it seems winter in Canada is doing it’s best to hang on this year, we are in fact in spring! It is time to really get your plans in place for how you are going to build you backyard deck. The most important choice in your plan is choosing the best decking material, specifically, the decking lumber you will choose.

Today we sound off on the Top 5 Best Decking Materials you can choose to make your deck into your backyard paradise.

Composite Decking

Coming in last in our ranking is composite decking. This type of decking is somewhat of a “frankenstein” wood as it is made of wood fiber, plastic, and a binding agent. What makes it appealing to homeowners is that is comes as a finished product, so there is no need to stain, sand, or paint, making it a low maintenance choice.

There are many downsides to composite decking beginning with how costly it is. On top of that, for the price you pay, the wood still looks like it has a plastic finish to it, so it never really gives you the comforting feel and look of wood. It is also susceptible to mold, warping, and cracking caused by the climate. The biggest issue with composite decking is that it is a non-sustainable decking wood; made with plastics, once the lifespan has been reached, the deck gets thrown into the landfill where it does not break down as wood does.

Overall, composite decking is a good choice if you are looking for a low-maintenance option.

Cedar Decking

Cedar is the best option for those looking for a budget deck. It is often found cheaper than the other decking materials found in this list. It comes in a great range of natural colours but is also able to take on paints and stains easily. That being said, cedar is the cheapest option for a reason. It’s grain and texture vary and often has ridges and knots of collected sap. Knots are, in general, difficult to sand and can cause an uneven surface.

The lifespan of cedar is also on the shorter end, lasting anywhere between 8-15 years depending on the grade of the wood as well as the care and maintenance invested into its upkeep.

Thermory Decking

Thermory decking, or Thermally modified wood, is another decking material that you can use to build a deck. It is a sustainable product as it uses cheaper softwoods and puts it through a super-heated process to develop a harder wood, thermory. In that same light, by using lesser quality softwoods, the grain may not look as neat or as elegant as the grain of mahogany or ipe lumber. It also tends to crack over time and the process of heated the wood slightly reduces it’s bendability.

The process of super-heating the wood makes staining and oiling thermally modified wood an issue. It also costs about 25% more than mahogany and comes in a small range of lengths. It is usually only found in the 6-13 foot range and is sometimes sold at random lengths. This causes a bit more of a logistical headache when you are making the plans for your deck as you cannot be sure you will get the pieces you need.

Ipe Decking

As we have mentioned before, ipe, with the nickname of “ironwood,” is one of the strongest woods you can use for your deck. It will last you 20+ years and holds up well against impact due to its hardness. On the flip side, ipe is also the most expensive natural wood in this group, ranging between 25-30% more than mahogany. It is also notoriously difficult to work with. Screws must be predrilled and equipment should be well maintained in order to handle the difficult job of cutting it.

Ipe does have a nice grain and natural colour. It also ages organically to a silvery-grey.

Genuine Mahogany Decking

When you look at all the features that need to be considered when choosing the best decking materials, then genuine mahogany lumber is the clear winner. Mahogany wood has a beautiful natural colour and grain. It will age to a refined silvery-grey but if you want to keep its vibrant colour, you can oil it regularly, which it accepts easily.

For its price point (more than cedar but less than thermory), it allows your dollars to go substantially further since it will last you 20+ years due to its durability and its natural ability to fend off mold and rot.

That’s the top 5 best decking materials! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and we would gladly be willing to help you make your vision of a backyard deck come true.