Luckily for lower mainland residents, there are many viable decking options available that are well suited to our climate in a wide variety of price ranges. From locally sourced softwoods to long lasting composites, the availability of quality decking products has never been better for our climate.

Composites

If you want a low maintenance, long-lasting deck, composites are for you. Most lines are made of a mixture of recycled wood fibers and plastic and there are some options on the market now made of 100% recycled PVC. The colour options have come a long way since the early days with some very complex colour, texture and wood grain patters that accurately mimic real wood and stain variations. Regular staining and sealing is not required, all that is needed for maintenance may be periodic power washing to eliminate algae. With a wide range of brands like Trex, Timbertech, Azek, Fiberon and Moistureshield available it can be guaranteed that you will find a colour pattern you love. These brands all offer very attractive warping and fading warranties that one would expect with a premium product.

Cedar

Long a local favorite, the lower cost and beautiful look of cedar decking is popular with homeowners. You can achieve many different looks by applying stains, oils or letting the wood naturally grey. Because they require staining and sealing every two years (unless you let it grey), cedar deck do have an ongoing cost of upkeep to keep them looking their best. Locally sourced red cedar is the most popular and cost effective species to go with.

Tropical Hardwoods

Known for their strength and durability, tropical hardwoods are ideal materials for our climate as they are resistant to both insects and moisture damage. They are extremely dense and have a wide range of beautiful deep tones that cannot be achieved by staining cedar. For those who rightly have concerns about tropical deforestation, Kayu Canada offers some FSC certified decking products that are great substitutes for Teak or IPE.

Pressure Treated Pine

For the budget conscious consumer, treated pine decking is a great option that is quite durable. The initial green look greys out after the first year, after which it can be stained or oiled to deepen the tones.

Consulting with a local contractor regarding decking options is ideal to get the right product spec’d for you budget and design consideration.