Treated pine costs the least and needs the most upkeep. Cedar looks and smells better than pine at a step up in price, with the same staining schedule. Composite and PVC cost more up front and are never stained, but they still need regular washing. Which one is right depends on your budget and how much upkeep you actually want to do, not which one is "best."
Treated pine is the least expensive decking material we install, and the reason most budget-driven projects start here. It is real wood, pressure-treated to resist rot and insects, framed and fastened the same way as every other tier.
The tradeoff is upkeep. Treated pine needs a wash and a fresh coat of stain or sealer every two to four years depending on sun exposure, and fresh lumber needs time to dry out before that first coat will take. Skip the maintenance and it grays, cracks and cups faster than any other tier.
Cedar costs more than treated pine but less than composite or PVC. The appeal is the grain and color, and cedar's natural oils resist insects and rot somewhat better than pine without chemical treatment. It still needs the same staining and sealing schedule as pine: cedar is a different wood, not a different maintenance category.
Capped composite decking costs more than either wood tier, and it is never stained or sealed. That is the whole trade: a higher price for boards that do not need a finish coat. Composite still needs regular washing, since mold and mildew build up on any decking surface, composite included. "Low maintenance" is not "no maintenance."
Trex is one capped composite brand among several. Our composite tier covers capped composite generally, not one specific product: run your numbers in the calculator to see the range before picking a brand.
Framing underneath a composite deck follows the same span and footing rules as wood. What changes is the fastening system, hidden clips instead of face screws, run to the manufacturer's pattern.
Fully synthetic PVC boards cost the most of the four tiers and do not use a wood core at all, unlike capped composite. Care is the same as composite: no staining, regular washing to prevent mold and mildew buildup.
Budget and upkeep tolerance decide this more than anything else. If upfront cost matters most and you do not mind restaining every few years, treated pine or cedar makes sense. If you would rather pay more up front and wash instead of stain, composite or PVC fits better.
Whichever material you pick, the frame underneath follows the same code-based span and footing rules. Material choice changes the decking and fastening, not the structural discipline.
Real prices run $60 to $112 per square foot installed depending on tier, size and add-ons like railing and stairs. Run the calculator for a number specific to your yard, or call or text and we will walk you through it.
Price ranges reflect what we actually price and install in Central Ohio, drawn from our own estimator, not manufacturer marketing figures. Framing and span discipline is the same across all four tiers, drawn from our own code table and the current Residential Code of Ohio provisions. Sources: Licking County Building Code, Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 4101:8-5.