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Selections & Finishes ยท Decks & Railings

Decks and railings.

A deck is mostly about two choices: what you walk on and what you lean on.

Decking

Deck boards

Illustration of a brown composite deck on the back of a gray cottage, one step above the lawn, with a picture-frame border, lighted steps, black aluminum railings and two Adirondack chairs overlooking a lake.
The parts of a deckWhat each piece is called, so the options below are easier to follow.

Pressure-treated pine

The most economical deck. It needs stain or sealer every few years and can check and twist as it dries.

Cedar

Naturally rot resistant and beautiful. Softer than other options, and it weathers to gray unless it's finished regularly.

Composite

Wood fiber and plastic, like Trex or TimberTech. No staining, just washing, and it can get hot in full sun.

PVC

All-synthetic boards, like Azek. Lighter than composite and the most resistant to stains and fading.

Tropical hardwood

Dense woods like ipe. Extremely hard and long lasting, and the most expensive.

Underneath every deck

The framing is pressure-treated no matter what's on top. We add joist tape to keep water off the framing, and hidden fasteners give a clean surface with no screw heads.

Railings

Railing styles

Wood

Pressure-treated or cedar balusters. Economical and easy to match to the deck.

Composite or vinyl

Railing systems made to match synthetic decking. Low maintenance.

Aluminum

Powder-coated with slim balusters. Low maintenance and a lighter look.

Cable

Thin stainless cables that keep the view open. They need strong posts to stay tight.

Glass

The clearest view. The most expensive, and it needs cleaning.

Extras

Extras worth considering

Lighting

Stair lights and post cap lights make the deck safer and usable after dark.

Skirting

Closes in the space under the deck to keep animals out and tidy the look.

Built-ins

Benches, planters and privacy screens built from the same materials.

Product and company names on this page are trademarks of their owners and are used only to identify those products as examples. Birch Cove Builders is not affiliated with or endorsed by these manufacturers.

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