Showerthought: The push for composite decking on my street overlooks the charm of natural wood.

My neighbors all use plastic decking, but I think cedar looks better and holds up fine.

4 comments

4 Comments

Ugh, I feel you! Cedar has that REAL charm that plastic decking just fakes. My dad's place has a cedar porch and it still looks amazing after all these years. People forget how well natural wood holds up if you just take care of it.

craig.sarah6d ago

Last year, my uncle replaced his cedar deck with composite because he got tired of the upkeep... @diana512 mentioned sealing every couple years, but that's a lot of work and money. Cedar splits and fades if you skip it even once. Plastic decking might not have the same look, but it stays put for decades with just a hose down. My uncle hasn't touched his new deck except to sweep leaves off... sometimes easy wins over charming.

diana5126d ago

Seal it every couple years with a good oil-based product. My uncle's cabin has cedar siding he treats like that, and it weathers beautifully. Plastic might seem easier, but it never gets that warm, lived-in look.

valschmidt6d ago

lol how often does your dad maintain that porch?