Wood or composite, Trex or TimberTech, hidden fasteners or face screws — the decisions matter more than the logo. Here's how we walk homeowners through them, built by a Class A licensed crew that handles footings, permits, and inspections start to finish.
Pressure-treated wood is the right call for tight budgets and short ownership horizons: it costs a fraction of composite up front, but needs staining or sealing every one to three years and typically wants replacement in 10–15. Composite costs roughly two to three times more on day one, cleans with soap and water, and carries 25–50-year fade-and-stain warranties — total cost of ownership usually crosses over around years seven to eight. Plan to stay? Composite wins the math. Selling soon? Wood keeps the budget honest.
| Brand | Tiers (entry → premium) | Fade/stain warranty | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trex | Enhance → Select → Transcend & Lineage | 25-yr entry · 50-yr premium | Up to 95% recycled content; premium lines add heat-mitigating tech |
| TimberTech | EDGE → PRO → Advanced PVC | 25/30-yr composite · 50-yr + lifetime on PVC | Advanced PVC: no wood filler, four-sided cap, cooler-running colors |
| Fiberon | Good Life → Sanctuary → Concordia | 25 → 50-yr by tier | Strong value alternative to the big two |
| PT wood | #2 grade → #1/premium, ground-contact rated | — | Budget choice; budget the maintenance schedule too |
The entry-to-mid step is usually the highest-value upgrade — mid-to-premium mostly buys longer warranties and richer grain. And spend on what you can't redo cheaply: joist protection tape and solid framing outlast any board upgrade, because a composite deck on a rotting frame lasts exactly as long as the frame.
Composite railing matches your boards and feels warmer to grip, with a chunkier profile. Aluminum is slimmer, powder-coated against fade and rust, and keeps sightlines open. Cable maximizes the view and usually costs the most. Overlooking woods or water? Aluminum or cable keeps the scenery yours.
Usually yes if you'll own the home 8+ years. Composite costs roughly two to three times more upfront, but never needs staining or sealing, and most lines carry 25–50-year warranties. Pressure-treated wood is cheaper today but adds recurring maintenance costs every couple of years — and typically needs replacement sooner.
They're Trex's good-better-best tiers. All are capped composites that resist fading and staining. Enhance is the budget line with lighter, scalloped boards and a 25-year warranty; Select adds richer colors; Transcend — and the newer Lineage and Signature lines — get premium grain patterns, heat-mitigating technology, and a 50-year fade-and-stain warranty.
Lighter colors stay coolest no matter the brand. PVC boards run cooler than wood-plastic composites — TimberTech says select Advanced PVC colors run up to 30°F cooler, and Trex's premium lines use similar heat-mitigating technology. Every deck board gets hot in direct July sun, so plan shade for south-facing decks.
They're close competitors. Trex leads on recycled content and name recognition; TimberTech's Advanced PVC offers a four-sided cap, no wood filler, and the strongest paper warranty in the category. We install both — and recommend based on your color preference, sun exposure, and budget tier, not brand loyalty.
Yes for any deck attached to the house, and any deck more than 30 inches above grade — statewide. Footings must reach below the local frost line, and guards and handrails have specific code requirements. We pull the permit and meet the inspector; you enjoy the deck.
Tell us the space and how you want to live on it — a real builder reviews every request, usually within one business day. Building a standalone deck project? Meet our deck brand, Deck Dudes.
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