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Decking

The surface material used to create outdoor decks, available in wood (pressure-treated, cedar, redwood) or composite materials.

Decking refers to the boards that form the walking surface of an outdoor deck. Material choice affects cost, durability, and maintenance.

Popular Materials

  • Pressure-treated pine: $2–5/sq ft β€” cheapest, requires annual sealing
  • Cedar: $4–8/sq ft β€” naturally rot-resistant, beautiful grain
  • Composite (Trex, TimberTech): $8–15/sq ft β€” low maintenance, 25-year warranty
  • Tropical hardwood (Ipe): $10–20/sq ft β€” extremely durable, 50+ year lifespan

Board Coverage

Standard deck board: 5.5" wide Γ— 12 ft long = 5.5 sq ft per board. Add 10% for waste and cuts.

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