How to Pick the Perfect Deck Material for Your Lifestyle

Your deck should support how you live— from hosting friends to relaxing outdoors year-round.

Pressure-treated Wood Decking:

This deck is budget-friendly and used in Central Texas, but it requires routine sealing and staining to withstand Austin’s heat and humidity and you can expect warping and cupping boards as early as day one. For this reason, we highly advise our clients against this decking material.

Hardwood Decking:

Such as IPE, Cumaru, or Garapa, is extremely durable and visually striking. While ideal for outdoor spaces, it comes at a higher cost and still requires maintenance to preserve color. This selection gives properties an instant elevated level of sophistication. Some tastes leaning towards the weathered and patina look that the boards can gain after a few years. Part of the reason of the higher costs are where the material comes from (South America/Tropical Rain Forest), as well as the material needing extra care during install. Due to the nature of the dense wood, stainless steel screws need to be used for proper installation as well as pre-drilling every hole and sealing all cuts with a special wax to prevent splitting.

Composite Decking: 

This is a popular choice for homeowners seeking low-maintenance outdoor living. Composite materials resist fading, splintering, and moisture, making them ideal for pool decks and high-traffic areas. Depending on the product and specific line, you can expect 20-50 year warranties on these boards. Some composites do tend to get hot in the summer sun but more recently, advanced PVC lines not only offer cooler surfaces, but also add protection against fires. Composite also gives you an added category of customization, with the ability to different colored boards to frame areas, and offer some additional safety on stairs for higher visibility when stepping. 

WUI Compliance 

With Austin's determination to keep wild fire disasters minimized, WUI Code (Wildland Urban Interface) has given a new obstacle in home owner's journeys through the permitting process. TimbertTech has two composite Collections that meet Class A fire rating and are WUI compliant. Vintage & Landmark. While yes, they are more expensive, they offer not the most fire retardant deck board on the market, but the boards are made from an advanced PVC composite that is cooler than most other boards. Aside from TimberTech's line, most dense woods like IPE, Cumaru, and Garapa are also Class A fire rated and WUI compliant.

One overlooked compliance issue is the need for railings. 

Any drop off higher than 30" from the ground to the top of the deck board will require a railing as well as a hand rail anytime you have 4 or more steps. Railing options are vast, from glass to stainless steel cabling and more traditional wooden balusters to name a few.

When selecting deck materials in Central Texas, consider sun exposure, maintenance expectations, foot traffic, and long-term durability.