How to Choose the Best Materials for Your Deck

Choosing the best deck materials for a lakeshore home means balancing looks, budget and how much maintenance you want to do. Lake Michigan weather is hard on any deck: strong summer sun, humid air, blowing sand and freeze-thaw winters. Here is how the most common options compare.

Pressure-Treated Pine

Pressure-treated (PT) pine is the most common and affordable decking. It is treated to resist rot and insects, but it is prone to checking, splitting and warping as it dries and weathers. New PT lumber often needs time to dry before it will accept stain, and it needs regular cleaning and staining to look its best.

• Pros: lowest cost, widely available, easy to work with
• Cons: cracks and warps, needs regular staining

Cedar

Cedar is a softwood with natural oils that help it resist rot and insects. It is lighter and more stable than pine and has a warm color and pleasant smell. Cedar is soft, though, so it dents and scratches more easily, and it turns gray quickly without a UV-protective finish.

• Pros: beautiful color, naturally rot-resistant, stable
• Cons: soft surface, needs finish to keep its color

Tropical Hardwoods (Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood)

Brazilian hardwoods are extremely dense, durable and long-lasting. They resist rot, insects and wear far better than softwoods. They cost more, are harder to install, and need a penetrating hardwood oil if you want to keep the color from fading to silver. Learn more in our guide to restoring Brazilian hardwood decks.

• Pros: very durable, beautiful grain, long lifespan
• Cons: higher cost, needs specialized finishes

Composite Decking

Composite boards combine wood fibers and plastic. They will not splinter, rot or need staining, which makes them popular for busy lake houses and rentals. They do still need washing, since dirt, pollen and mildew can build up on the surface, and darker colors can get hot in direct sun. Higher-quality capped composites resist stains and fading better.

• Pros: low maintenance, no staining, consistent color
• Cons: higher upfront cost, can get hot, still needs cleaning

What Works Best on the Lakeshore?

There is no single best answer. If you love the look of real wood and do not mind regular maintenance, cedar or hardwood are hard to beat. If you want to spend summers on the deck instead of working on it, composite is worth a look. Many homeowners keep an existing wood deck in great shape for years with regular professional refinishing instead of replacing it.

Thinking about railings too? Read composite decking vs. cable railings.

Planning a deck project along the lakeshore? See our deck services or contact us for a free on-site estimate. Call or text 269-292-2612.