Pressure-treated wood definitely has its place, especially if you’re willing to put in the maintenance. I’ve seen decks near the coast last a good 10-12 years with regular sealing, though salt air does speed up wear. One thing I’d watch for is fastener corrosion—stainless or coated screws make a big difference. Composite’s nice for low upkeep, but I get the appeal of real wood, especially for that classic beach house vibe.
One thing I’d watch for is fastener corrosion—stainless or coated screws make a big difference.
That’s spot on. I learned the hard way with galvanized nails on my porch—looked fine for a few years, then suddenly half the heads were rusting out and staining the boards. Swapping to stainless was pricier up front, but it’s held up way better against the salt air.
I get the composite appeal, but honestly, nothing beats the look and feel of real wood, especially if you’re restoring an older place. The grain, the way it weathers... it just fits. Maintenance is a pain, sure, but if you’re budgeting for a beach house reno, I’d factor in annual sealing and maybe plan to replace some boards every decade or so. It’s not just about initial cost—it’s about keeping that classic vibe alive without letting rot sneak in.
If you’re after authenticity and don’t mind a bit of elbow grease, pressure-treated wood with proper fasteners is still my go-to. Just don’t skimp on the hardware or skip the sealant, or you’ll be redoing it sooner than you think.
I get the love for real wood, but after fighting with splinters and warped boards for years, I finally caved and went composite on my last place.
—I used to think that too, but honestly, the new composites look pretty convincing and I haven’t had to touch them in five years. No sealing, no rot, no surprise repairs after a wet winter. Upfront cost stings, but long run? Way less hassle. Just my two cents.“nothing beats the look and feel of real wood”
“the new composites look pretty convincing and I haven’t had to touch them in five years. No sealing, no rot, no surprise repairs after a wet winter.”
Couldn’t agree more with this. I used to be a wood purist myself—thought composite was just fancy plastic until I inherited a beach rental with an old cedar deck that looked like it’d survived a pirate invasion. Every spring, it was like playing “guess which board will give you a splinter today?” Not my favorite game.
Switched to composite on the next project and honestly, the peace of mind alone is worth the upfront sticker shock. Yeah, your wallet cries a little at first, but then you remember you’re not dropping cash every year on sealants or emergency repairs after a storm rolls through. Plus, renters don’t care if it’s real wood or not—they just want to walk barefoot without needing a tetanus shot.
For a beach house especially, where salt and humidity are relentless, composite is like giving yourself a break from the endless maintenance treadmill. Sometimes “less hassle” really is priceless…
Funny you mention the upfront cost—when I started pricing out composite for our place, I nearly bailed and went back to wood just out of sticker shock. But after running the numbers (and factoring in what I’d spent on stain, sandpaper, and my own weekends), it actually made sense long-term. Plus, less stuff ending up in the landfill every few years when boards rot out.
One thing I’m still torn on is whether to go all-in with composites for railings and trim too, or just stick to decking. Some folks say it looks a bit too “manufactured” if you do everything, but honestly, I’m leaning toward low-maintenance everywhere. Curious if anyone’s noticed a big difference in how composites hold up on vertical surfaces versus horizontal? Or is it just as bulletproof either way?
