WESTERN RED CEDAR Cedar is the most common decking material used in the Austin area. It works well in the Austin climate. Below are some points to consider when considering using cedar decking:
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| APPEARANCE: | Cedar is a beautiful and fragrant wood. The knots throughout the boards give it character, offering a rustic look and feel. | |
| MAINTENANCE | Because cedar is a relatively soft wood, it does need to be maintained with stain or sealant to preserve the integrity of the wood and prolong the life of your deck. | |
| COST: | Cedar is very affordable and tends to be at the lower price range of decking materials. | |
| LIFESPAN: | A properly maintained cedar deck will last about 10 - 15 years. | |
IPÉ Also known as "Iron Wood", Ipé (pronounced E-pay) is becoming a high-demand decking material in the Austin area. It is furniture-quality wood that is incredibly distinctive, durable and beautiful. Below are some points to consider when using Ipé decking: |
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| APPEARANCE: | Ipé is a very dense wood. The texture of the wood itself is smooth and doesn't splinter. Each board has its own beautiful color variations that are amplified when stained or oiled. An Ipé deck is definitely an architectural feature in itself. | |
| MAINTENANCE: | Because this wood is so dense, it doesn't absorb water like other decking woods, which means it won't rot, splinter, warp, swell or shrink. There is no need to seal the wood because it is resistant to damaging elements, but without stain or oil treatments, the wood will weather to a silver patina look. | |
| COST: | Ipé is an imported hardwood from South America. It tends to be toward the top of the natural wood price range. | |
| LIFESPAN: | Because Ipé is such a hard wood, it is extremely durable. Whether you maintain a stained look or not, the wood itself will last for decades. Ipé is a common wood in coastal regions and on boardwalks because of its resistance to the elements and longevity of life. | |
