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3D decision tool

Which deck material should I pick?

Click any swatch to see how 8 deck materials look in real 3D — from $12/sqft PT pine to $32/sqft IPE hardwood, plus 5 composite/PVC brands. Match your budget, climate, and maintenance tolerance to a material.

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composite
Trex Transcend (Spiced Rum)
Premium Trex composite. 25-yr fade/stain warranty.
$24/sqft30-yr

Pick a material in 30 seconds

Match your priorities to a material class. Most homeowners (about 65%) pick mid-tier composite — the others are budget or premium plays.

  • Tightest budget, will re-stain
    → PT Pine ($12/sqft, 15 yr)
    Cheapest upfront. Re-stain every 2 yrs to maintain look.
  • Mid budget, low maintenance
    → Trex Enhance / Mid Composite ($16-20/sqft, 25-30 yr)
    Most-popular tier. No re-stain, just rinse. 25-yr warranty.
  • Premium look, longest life
    → TimberTech AZEK PVC ($26/sqft, 40 yr)
    Cellular PVC. Cooler underfoot. 50-yr fade warranty.
  • Natural wood character
    → Cedar or IPE ($18-32/sqft)
    Real grain + scent (cedar) or premium hardwood (IPE 50-yr life).
  • Hot climate, dark color want
    → Deckorators Voyage ($28/sqft)
    Mineral-based — LOWEST thermal expansion + cooler than typical composite.

Climate fit

Material choice depends heavily on local climate. Wrong material in wrong climate = 50% reduced lifespan.

Hot + sunny (TX, AZ, FL, NM)
→ Mineral-based composite (Deckorators) OR PVC (AZEK, Wolf)

Lower thermal expansion + cooler surface than wood/standard composite.

Cold + snow (MN, ND, ME)
→ PVC (AZEK) OR PT pine

PVC resists freeze-thaw cracking. PT cheapest if budget tight.

Coastal salt-air (FL, CA, NC)
→ PVC (AZEK, Wolf, Zuri)

Zero wood content = zero salt corrosion. 50-yr fade warranty.

Wet/humid (Pacific NW, SE)
→ IPE OR cedar OR composite

Avoid PT — rot risk is real even with treatment. Hardwood + composite shed water best.

Dry temperate (CO, UT)
→ Any material — wood holds up well

Lowest weathering rate of any climate. Even PT lasts 20+ yrs.

Get exact $ cost
Cost for YOUR deck size →

Composite Cost Calculator returns total install cost across Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, AZEK by line + color. 25-yr TCO vs PT.

Open Composite Cost Calculator
Lifecycle compare
See 25-year total cost →

25-Year Deck Cost Calculator surfaces the TRUE cost of ownership — installation + maintenance + likely replacement.

Open 25-Yr Cost Calculator

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What this tells you

  • ✓ What 8 materials LOOK like in real outdoor lighting
  • ✓ Approximate $/sqft installed for each material
  • ✓ Lifespan in years for each
  • ✓ Whether material is wood / composite / PVC

What it doesn't tell you

  • — Exact cost for YOUR deck size — use the Composite Cost Calc
  • — 25-year total cost of ownership — use the 25-Yr Deck Cost Calc
  • — All available colors per brand (Trex has 8+, we show 1 representative)
  • — Manufacturer warranty fine print (read brand docs before buying)