Deck Options Guide

Your deck, simplified.

Every deck is made up of thousands of individual components: pieces of lumber, composite, and steel; hardware brackets, nails, screws, and bolts. With some of these items, we don't budge. For example, we will only use galvanized hardware (at a minimum) and pressure-treated lumber. Yet there are still many choices to be made. To simplify this process, we divide the typical deck into four categories:

Structure: your deck's frame
Decking: the surface that you walk on and will see for the life of your deck
Railing: what both finishes the perimeter of your deck and keeps you safely on top
Accessories: upgrades, built-ins, and options to make it yours

Each of these categories are explored in greater detail below with additional information, pros and cons, relative price point, and of course, pictures.

Structure: wood or steel

Pressure-treated lumber: our standard deck framing material. It's Douglas Fir lumber that has been treated to resist rot and insects. It has a rustic look (due to the chemical injection marks) and comes pre-stained a reddish-brown. Installed properly, it will last for decades.

Trex Elevations steel framing: galvanized, powder-coated steel posts, beams and joists that go together much the same way as a wood structure, but create a stronger, straighter deck that will last much longer. Definitely worth the additional cost if able and a no-brainer in high-fire areas.

Decking: materials and patterns

Trex composite decking

Trex Select: a basic looking composite board, but with industry-leading technology and warranty. This plastic and wood based product is capped to create a scratch-resistant finish that is guaranteed not to fade or stain for 25 years. Available in five monochromatic colors.

Trex Transcend: thicker than Select and with improved aesthetics. A deeper grain pattern and five "Tropical" colors that incorporate random streaking for a convincing natural look. Also backed by Trex's 25-year fade and stain warranty.

Wood decking

Redwood: the cheapest decking we install, but also beautiful, long-lasting, and a classic California material. Requires regular cleaning and re-staining to keep up on look and longevity.

Mangaris Diamond: an entry-level hardwood deck board with rich red hues. Because of it's density, Mangaris is naturally rot and termite-resistant, as well as being fire-rated. Requires annual oiling to maintain color.

Ipe: known as the hardest wood in the world. Browner than Mangaris, and with all the same qualities and more. Oil regularly to keep up on color and brightness, or let it weather and turn to a silver patina.

Decking patterns and add-ons

Diagonal decking

Picture framing

Decorative borders

Curved decking

Herring bone style

Breaker boards

Inlays

Curved fascia only

Railing: posts, rails, and infill

Traditional 2x2 balusters

Posts: Trex 4x4, Classic White, with pyramid cap
Rails: Trex Transcends, Classic White
Infill: Trex 2x2, Classic White

Posts: Redwood 4x4, stained
Rails: Redwood 2x4 with 2x6 cap, stained
Infill: Redwood 2x2, stained

Posts: Douglas Fir 4x4, primed and painted
Rails: Douglas Fir 2x4 with Trex 2x6 cap, Vintage Lantern
Infill: Douglas Fir 2x2

Decorative metal balusters

Posts: Trex 4x4, Tree House
Rails: Trex Transcends, Tree House with Trex 2x6 cap, Spiced Rum
Infill: round aluminum balusters, Black

Posts: Redwood 4x4, stained
Rails: Redwood 2x4 with Trex 1x6 cap, Vintage Lantern
Infill: square aluminum balusters, Black

Posts: Douglas Fir 4x4, primed and painted
Rails: Douglas Fir 2x4 with Trex 1x6 cap, Lava Rock
Infill: Baroque-style architectural balusters, Bronze

Stainless steel cable

Posts: Trex 4x4, Rope Swing, with lighted flat cap
Rail: Trex Transcends, Vintage Lantern
Infill: 1/8" stainless steel cable and aluminum picket

Posts: Powder-coated aluminum, Black
Rail: Ipe 2x4, oiled
Infill: 1/8" stainless steel cable

Posts: Redwood 4x4, stained
Rail: Redwood 2x8 with 1x12 Mangaris Diamond cap, oiled
Infill: 1/8" Stainless steel cable

Tempered glass

Posts: Trex 4x4, Rope Swing, with rail lights
Rails: Trex Transcends, Rope Swing, with 1x6 Trex cap, Lava Rock
Infill: 1/4" tempered glass