Cedar vs Composite Decking
Composite decking and cedar are two popular choices for exterior decking in the Pacific Northwest, and each has their pros and cons. While cedar, a naturally rot-resistant wood, has long been a good value-option for decks, entry-level composite decking now matches cedar in price, while at the same time offering lower maintenance and longer lifespan.
Composite Decking
Made from a blend of wood fibers and recycled plastics, composite decking has great resistance to rot, fading, and insects. Requiring minimal maintenance, it usually only needing occasional cleaning to maintain its appearance.
Composite decking comes in many colors and realistic wood textures. Pairing it with composite fascia and a composite or metal railing system results in a beautiful and very low-maintenance deck.
Trex, TimberTech, Deckorators, and Fiberon are just a few of the manufacturers available locally, and each has a variety of products to fit different budgets and looks. Entry-level composite decking is priced comparably to cedar, with premium options with features such as more color depth and grain variation, higher scratch resistance, and manufacturer warranties up to 50 years.
Cedar Decking
Cedar, usually western red cedar in the PNW, provides a durable, natural wood option for decking. Cedar has a classic warm wood tone and beautiful natural wood grain, but requires regular maintenance, including sealing and staining, to protect against the elements and extend its lifespan. Left untreated, cedar has a lifespan of around 10-15 years, and will turn gray from sun exposure over a few years. On the other hand, well-maintained cedar with regular sealing and staining can last upwards of 20-30+ years.
Old growth cedar offers greater rot-resistance than the smaller trees most cedar is produced from these days, so while it still offers natural resistance to decay and pests, most cedar available these days is not quite as hardy as that from decades ago.
FAQs
Q - Doesn’t composite decking swell and warp?
A - Early composite decking had some issues with swelling and fading that have long been addressed by manufacturers, and now composite decking comes with manufacturer warranties ranging from 25 to 50 yrs.
Q - Does composite decking get hot to the touch?
A - If your deck gets mixed shade and sun, this likely won’t be an issue for you, but some composite decking can get uncomfortably hot under the right circumstances, usually full sun exposure for many hours. Check out Fact or Fiction? - Does Composite Decking Get Hot? for more info and tips
Q - Does composite decking scratch easily?
A - Composite decking is fairly scratch resistant, but hard sharp objects like gravel, tools, or aggressive pet scratching can definitely scratch it, so it’s wise to protect your deck from things like that. Certain composite decking like Trex’s Signature and Deckorators Voyage line carry exceptional scratch resistance, second only to tropical hardwoods like ipe. Scratches can also often be repaired on composite decking using a heat gun and stiff plastic brush.
Q - Does composite decking stain?
A - One of composite decking’s strong suits is it is extremely resistant to staining, most substances rinse right off with a hose. If you do find something stains the surface (such as a rusty tool left on the deck or water ring from a planter), first try a stiff plastic brush with warm soap and water, and if that doesn’t work, some elbow grease and a Magic Eraser will often do the trick.
Q - What if I want to use two colors?
A - We recommend it! We love doing accent colors, most often with a picture frame border. We’ve found that the contrast really brings a deck to life and sets it apart from “just another deck”
Q - Can I redo my deck with composite if I have wood decking?
A - Yes you can, with some caveats. We always do a thorough inspection of the structure of the deck to make sure there are no signs of decay, and verify that the joists of the deck are spaced no wider than 16” on center, the max span of most composite decking. If joists are spaced wider, we will need to add joists to the deck to bring the span within the decking manufacturer’s guidelines.
