Your best decking is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the great outdoors. Some decks are cozy escapes for morning coffee or nightly cocktails as the sun sets; others are lavish entertaining spaces for grilling and chilling with friends. Whatever your outdoor goals, choosing the right material for your deck is a crucial first step.

In the past, nearly all decks were made of varying species of wood. But this lumber is expensive, requires regular upkeep, and doesn’t last as long as other options. When plastic-composite decking exploded on the market in the 1990s, it became a popular alternative because it’s less demanding and offers a variety of natural-looking colors and grain patterns that resist fading and mold.

The Best Decking Options for Your Home: A Complete Guide

Composites are also a good choice for the environment. They’re made from a 50/50 mix of recycled wood and plastic film (from things like milk jugs and shopping bags) and can be purchased in a variety of natural-looking hues and grain patterns. The best brands, such as TimberTech, use up to 80% recycled content, which can save millions of pounds of inorganic waste from ending up in landfills each year.

Deck Guardian offers the warmest, most authentic look of all decking materials, but it’s also a high-maintenance option that needs frequent staining and cleaning to keep it looking its best. Fortunately, newer species of hardwoods are available that provide the beauty of traditional cedar or redwood with added durability and strength. Deck builders can also opt for the tropical hardwood Cumaru, which is as hard as teak but has less of a price tag.

…