Choosing deck materials for Northern California weather

A deck in the North State takes two kinds of punishment. In summer the sun bakes it, the boards get hot enough to be uncomfortable barefoot, and everything dries out. From fall through spring, rain soaks it, shaded corners go green, and the wood swells and shrinks with the moisture. A material that handles one of those well does not always handle the other, so it helps to know what each option does when it is left alone in your yard.

Redwood and cedar

Redwood and cedar contain natural oils that resist rot and insects, which is why they have been used outdoors for generations. They look warm, they take stain well and they feel good underfoot. We build redwood decks, and customers have written to tell us about them.

The trade-off is upkeep. Left unsealed, the surface weathers to silver gray, and in the damp parts of a yard it can darken and grow mildew. Both woods are softer than the alternatives, so furniture legs and dropped tools leave marks, and old boards can splinter. If you like the look and are willing to clean and seal on a schedule, they remain a very good choice. If a weekend of deck work every year sounds like a chore, keep reading.

Pressure-treated lumber

Treated lumber is the common starting point. It is chemically protected against rot, it is widely available, and it can be stained to look like something more expensive. It also moves more than people expect. As it dries out in the first seasons, boards can twist, cup and open small cracks. Seal it, give it time to settle, and you get a sturdy deck. Skip the sealing and a hot July will tell you.

Composite and PVC decking

Composite and PVC boards do not need sealing or staining, they do not splinter, and they hold their color longer than raw wood. Those are real advantages, and the reason a lot of homeowners choose them. They are not maintenance free, though. Shaded, damp spots can still collect mildew, and a deck needs washing now and then.

The bigger issue here is heat. Dark boards in full afternoon sun get very hot, and in Redding that is most of the summer. If the deck is near a pool or spa, where people walk barefoot and wet, choose a lighter color and put a board sample in direct sun before you commit. Spacing of the framing also matters, since some of these boards are less stiff than wood and want closer support underneath.

The part you don't see

Most deck failures start below the surface. The footings need to be sized and placed for your soil, the framing needs to be level and braced, and the connection to the house needs proper flashing so water does not run behind the ledger and rot the wall. Hardware matters too. Cheap fasteners rust, stain boards and give out before the lumber does. And a deck needs air movement and drainage underneath, or moisture stays trapped and the framing never dries.

This is why two decks with the same boards can age very differently. When you compare bids, ask about the frame as closely as you ask about the surface.

Decks next to pools and spas

A deck beside water has extra demands. It gets splashed constantly and often with chlorinated water. People cross it wet and barefoot, so grip and surface temperature matter more than they do on a patio dining deck. Rails, steps and gaps between boards also deserve a hard look when kids are around. A covered spa deck, a gazebo or a pergola changes the sun exposure, and with it the material choice.

A good test is simple. Get two or three samples and leave them on your own yard in July afternoon sun. Wet them with a hose and walk on them in bare feet. You will learn more in ten minutes than from any brochure.

Talk to the people who will build it

Palo Cedro Pool & Spa builds decks, gazebos, fencing and outdoor structures with the same crew that handles pools and landscaping. One homeowner told us the first deck went so well that he had us replace his second one, and then neighbors asked for decks of their own. A deck should earn that kind of repeat business by lasting. Call (530) 547-4051 to set up a free consultation and bring your photos along.