There is no single best decking. There's the right board for your budget, your sun exposure and how much Saturday maintenance you're willing to do. Here's the straight version.
Severe Weather · ProWood
The workhorse. Lowest cost per square foot, takes stain well, and every lumber yard in the county stocks it.
Kiln-dried select
Naturally rot-resistant, light underfoot, and it smells like a cabin the day it goes down. Ages to a silver-grey if you let it.
Trex · TimberTech · Deckorators
Wood flour and polymer under a scratch-resistant cap. No sealing, no splinters, holds its color through Illinois freeze-thaw.
TimberTech AZEK · Harvest
Zero organic content, so there's nothing for mold to eat. The coolest surface underfoot on a July afternoon and the lightest board to carry.
$78/linear ft installed
$118/linear ft installed
$96/linear ft installed
$54/linear ft installed
Pulled straight from Lowe's listings so you can see the actual boards, railings, framing and lighting we build with — and what they cost this week.
Not sure which board is yours? Design your deck in 3D and flip between all four materials to see and price the difference.
Open the 3D Designer