Decking Board Types Guide
The decking material you choose affects every aspect of your project: the initial construction cost, the long-term maintenance burden, the deck's appearance over time, and its expected lifespan. With options ranging from budget-friendly pressure-treated pine at under $2 per linear foot to premium ipe hardwood approaching $9 per linear foot, the total material cost for the same deck can vary by a factor of four or more. Understanding the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of each material is essential for making a decision you will be satisfied with for the life of your deck.
This guide covers 15 specific board products across 7 material categories. Each board type page includes detailed pricing, pros and cons, pre-computed costs for five standard deck sizes, and specific installation and maintenance guidance. Use the comparison table below to quickly compare options, then click through to individual board pages for comprehensive details.
When comparing materials, consider the total cost of ownership rather than just the initial purchase price. A pressure-treated deck that costs $1,500 in materials but requires $200 in annual staining supplies and labor will cost $5,500 over 20 years in maintenance alone. A composite deck with a $4,000 material cost but near-zero maintenance may actually be less expensive over its 25-plus-year lifespan. Factor in your willingness to perform regular maintenance when making your decision.
All Board Types by Price
Material Categories
Decking materials fall into seven primary categories, each with distinct characteristics that affect cost, appearance, durability, and maintenance requirements. The following sections provide an overview of each category along with links to specific board products within that group.
Pressure-Treated Pine
Chemically treated southern yellow pine that resists rot, decay, and insect damage. The most affordable and widely available decking option, accounting for approximately 75% of residential deck construction in the United States. Requires annual sealing or staining to maintain appearance and prevent weathering.
Pressure-Treated Pine 5.5" x 8'
$2/lfStandard pressure-treated southern yellow pine decking in 8-foot lengths. The most affordable decking option, chemically...
View details →Pressure-Treated Pine 5.5" x 12'
$2/lfPressure-treated southern yellow pine decking in 12-foot lengths. The longer boards reduce the number of end joints need...
View details →Pressure-Treated Pine 5.5" x 16'
$3/lfPressure-treated southern yellow pine in 16-foot lengths, ideal for wider decks that benefit from full-span boards with ...
View details →Pressure-Treated Pine 3.5" x 8' (Narrow)
$1/lfNarrow-width pressure-treated decking boards for decorative patterns and accent applications. The 3.5-inch width works w...
View details →Composite
Engineered boards made from a blend of wood fibers and recycled plastic polymers. Available in standard and premium grades with varying levels of UV protection, scratch resistance, and realistic wood-grain appearance. Virtually maintenance-free with warranties ranging from 25 years to limited lifetime.
Composite Decking 5.5" x 12'
$5/lfStandard-grade composite decking made from a blend of wood fibers and recycled plastic polymers. Offers the look of natu...
View details →Composite Decking 5.5" x 16'
$6/lfStandard-grade composite decking in 16-foot lengths for wider deck spans. The longer boards eliminate butt joints on dec...
View details →Premium Composite Decking 5.5" x 12'
$7/lfHigh-end capped composite decking with a polymer shell that wraps all four sides. Brands like Trex Transcend, TimberTech...
View details →Western Red Cedar
Western red cedar is a premium softwood with natural oils that provide inherent resistance to moisture, decay, and insect damage without chemical treatment. Its distinctive warm reddish-brown color and pleasant aroma make it a popular choice for homeowners who prefer a natural wood aesthetic.
Western Red Cedar 5.5" x 8'
$4/lfWestern red cedar decking in 8-foot lengths. Cedar is a premium natural wood that contains natural oils providing inhere...
View details →Western Red Cedar 5.5" x 12'
$5/lfWestern red cedar decking in 12-foot lengths for medium to large deck projects. The longer boards provide fewer joints a...
View details →Redwood
California redwood is prized for its rich color, natural tannins, and exceptional dimensional stability. One of the oldest and most respected decking materials, redwood has been used in outdoor construction for centuries. Availability is primarily limited to the West Coast, and pricing reflects its premium status.
Ipe Hardwood
Brazilian ipe (pronounced ee-pay) is one of the densest and most durable hardwoods on earth with a Janka hardness rating of 3,680. Its extraordinary 40-plus-year lifespan and natural Class A fire rating make it the premier choice for high-end residential and commercial decking projects.
Ipe Hardwood 5.5" x 8'
$8/lfBrazilian ipe (pronounced ee-pay) is one of the densest and most durable hardwoods on earth, with a Janka hardness ratin...
View details →Ipe Hardwood 5.5" x 12'
$9/lfBrazilian ipe hardwood in 12-foot lengths, delivering a premium continuous-span deck surface with unmatched durability. ...
View details →Mahogany
Genuine mahogany offers a beautiful reddish-brown hue with excellent workability compared to other tropical hardwoods. Less dense than ipe but significantly harder and more durable than domestic softwoods, mahogany provides an excellent middle ground between premium aesthetics and practical installation.
PVC
100% cellular PVC decking contains no wood fibers, making it completely impervious to moisture, mold, and insect damage. The go-to choice for waterfront properties, pool decks, and applications where constant moisture exposure would destroy other materials.
PVC Decking 5.5" x 12'
$6/lf100% cellular PVC decking contains no wood fibers, making it completely impervious to moisture, mold, and insect damage....
View details →PVC Decking 5.5" x 16'
$7/lfPVC decking in 16-foot lengths for wide deck applications. The longer boards reduce joints on expansive decks while prov...
View details →Choosing Between Natural Wood and Synthetic Decking
The fundamental choice in decking material is between natural wood (pressure-treated, cedar, redwood, ipe, mahogany) and synthetic options (composite, PVC). Natural wood offers an authentic look and feel that many homeowners prefer, with the ability to sand, refinish, and change colors over time. However, wood requires regular maintenance including cleaning, sealing, and staining to prevent weathering, warping, and decay.
Synthetic decking eliminates virtually all routine maintenance beyond occasional cleaning with soap and water. Composite and PVC boards will not rot, warp, splinter, or require refinishing. The trade-off is a higher initial cost, limited ability to change appearance after installation, and a surface texture that some people find less authentic than real wood. Modern premium composites have significantly closed the aesthetic gap, with multi-toned streaking and realistic grain patterns that are difficult to distinguish from natural wood at conversational distance.
Environmental considerations also factor into the decision. Pressure-treated lumber uses chemical preservatives that raise concerns for some homeowners. Composite decking is made partly from recycled materials, which appeals to environmentally conscious buyers. Tropical hardwoods like ipe and mahogany must be sourced from certified sustainable forests to avoid contributing to deforestation. Cedar and redwood are domestically sourced but come from slow-growing trees that take decades to reach harvestable size. There is no single "best" environmental choice; the right answer depends on your priorities and the specific sourcing of each product.