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Composite Deck Guide: What Brands Won’t Tell You
Quick Answer: Composite decking is a manmade board made from wood fibers and plastic (or in some cases 100% plastic, called PVC). It costs more than wood upfront, usually $8 to $18 per square foot installed. But it does not rot, splinter, or need yearly staining. A good capped composite board will last 25 to…
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Cumaru Deck Guide: Brazilian Teak Pros, Costs & Care
Quick Answer: Cumaru, also called Brazilian teak, is a dense South American hardwood used for premium decking. It has a Janka hardness of about 3,540 lbf, lasts 30 to 50+ years, and costs less than Ipe while offering nearly the same durability. It is a smart middle-ground choice if you want hardwood toughness without the…
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Ipe Deck Guide: Pros, Costs, Care for Brazilian Walnut Decks
Quick Answer: An Ipe deck is a hardwood deck built from Brazilian walnut, one of the hardest and most durable woods you can put outside. It can last 40 to 75 years, laughs at bugs and rot, and costs more upfront than composite or pine. If you want a deck that outlives you, Ipe is…
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