"Honestly, I was leaning toward natural wood at first because I love that worn-in look, but maintenance seems like a real hassle, especially near the ocean."
I totally get the appeal of natural wood, but from experience, composite decking was a game changer for us near the coast. The salt air and humidity really do a number on wood, and the upkeep difference was huge—no more sanding or staining every season. To keep things feeling beachy and natural, we added some rope accents, seagrass baskets, and potted palms...really softened the modern lines nicely.
Composite decking definitely cuts down on headaches near the ocean. Still, if you're really set on natural wood, maybe consider something like cedar or ipe? Pricier upfront, but they hold up better against salt and humidity...just a thought.
I renovated a beach house about five years ago and went with cedar decking. It was definitely pricier upfront, but honestly, it's held up remarkably well against the salt air and humidity. Composite is great for low maintenance, but if you're set on natural wood, cedar or ipe really are worth the extra investment. Just make sure you factor in regular sealing or staining every couple of years—otherwise, even the best wood can deteriorate pretty quickly near the ocean.
