I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve been crunching numbers for my own beach house reno, and decking is one of those spots where the budget can swing a lot depending on what you pick. Composite looks great at first, but near the ocean, I’ve seen it fade or even get weirdly brittle after a few years—especially if you’re right up against the salt spray.
If you’re thinking long-term, hardwood can actually be a solid choice if you’re up for the maintenance. Here’s how I broke it down for my place:
1. Upfront cost: Composite is pricier per board, but hardwood (like ipe or teak) isn’t cheap either.
2. Maintenance: Composite claims “no maintenance,” but in salty air, you’ll probably end up cleaning and maybe sealing anyway. Hardwood needs oiling every year or so, but it ages nicely if you keep up with it.
3. Longevity: My neighbor’s hardwood deck (oiled religiously) still looks good after 10+ years. The composite one down the street? Faded and warped in spots after about five.
If you’re budgeting, factor in both the upfront and yearly upkeep costs. Sometimes old-school wins out, especially if you don’t mind a bit of elbow grease now and then...
That’s pretty much what I’ve seen too—composite just doesn’t handle the salt air as well as people think. One thing I’d add: if you do go with hardwood, try to source reclaimed or FSC-certified wood. It’s a bit pricier, but way better for the environment and usually higher quality. And if you’re trying to keep costs down, sometimes you can find leftover stock from local lumber yards. Maintenance is a pain, but I’d rather oil a deck than replace warped boards every few years...
Yeah, I’ve seen composite get chewed up by salt air way faster than folks expect. You’re spot on about reclaimed or FSC wood—had a client last year who found some old-growth ipe from a dock teardown, and that deck still looks amazing. Maintenance is definitely a chore, but honestly, there’s something kind of satisfying about giving the boards a fresh coat of oil each spring. Plus, you get to catch any issues early before they turn into big headaches.
I’m kind of torn on the whole maintenance thing. I get that it’s satisfying for some folks, but I’m not sure I’d trust myself to keep up with it every year. Did you notice a big difference in cost between reclaimed wood and new composite when you were pricing things out? I keep hearing ipe is pricey, but maybe reclaimed changes the math.
I’m kind of torn on the whole maintenance thing. I get that it’s satisfying for some folks, but I’m not sure I’d trust myself to keep up with it every year.
That’s a super common concern, especially with beach houses where salt and sun just chew through materials. When I’ve priced out reclaimed wood vs. composite, reclaimed can sometimes be cheaper up front—if you find a good source—but you’ll want to factor in the prep work (cleaning, sanding, sealing). Composite’s more expensive at first but almost zero maintenance. Ipe is gorgeous but yeah, it’s usually at the top end for cost and still needs oiling to keep its color. If you’re not into yearly upkeep, composite might save you headaches long-term, even if it stings a bit more at the start.
