Never had luck finding black locust in my area either—seems like it’s always either out of stock or priced like it’s made of gold. I’ve flipped a few houses with composite decks, and while buyers liked the idea of “no maintenance,” I always had to be upfront about the heat issue. One deck faced south and you couldn’t walk barefoot on it after noon in July... not exactly kid-friendly.
Thermally modified wood is interesting. Used it once on a mid-range flip and honestly, it held up better than expected through one brutal winter and a wet spring. Didn’t get that weird green tint you sometimes see with pressure-treated lumber, which was a plus for curb appeal. Buyers didn’t ask much about the species—just checked for splinters, rot, and general sturdiness.
I do think people overestimate how much eco-friendliness factors into resale value. In my experience, unless you’re selling to a very specific crowd, most folks just want something that looks good and won’t fall apart in five years. That said, I try to avoid tropical hardwoods just because of the sourcing headaches and ethical questions.
If I could get my hands on reclaimed material at scale, I’d use it every time. But around here, it’s hit or miss—sometimes you score a batch of old-growth pine that’s rock solid, other times it’s warped beyond saving. At the end of the day, I just aim for durability first, then try to check as many “planet-friendly” boxes as possible without blowing up the budget.
Thermally modified wood is a solid choice, especially if you’re looking for something that holds up without the chemical baggage of pressure-treated. I’ve used it on a couple of projects—never had callbacks about splinters or warping, which is more than I can say for some composites. The heat issue with composite is real, though. I’ve tried lighter colors and even shaded areas, but it’s tough to get around if the deck faces south.
Reclaimed material is a great idea in theory, but like you said, consistency’s a pain. I once spent half a day sorting through a batch of “reclaimed” oak only to find most of it was riddled with old nails and splits. If you’ve got the time and patience, it can pay off, but for most flips I just don’t have that luxury.
I agree—most buyers care about looks and longevity first. Eco-friendly features are nice-to-haves unless you’re in a market where that’s a selling point. For now, I stick with thermally modified or FSC-certified softwoods when I can get them at a decent price. It’s all about balancing durability, cost, and not making things harder than they need to be.
- Thermally modified wood really does seem to hit that sweet spot—durable, low-maintenance, and you’re not dealing with the chemical smell or leaching you get from pressure-treated. I’ve noticed clients are more open to it lately, especially when they see how it weathers.
- Composites are a tough sell for me too, mostly because of the heat. I’ve had people literally hop across their deck in July. Even with lighter shades, it’s just not comfortable if you’re in full sun.
- Reclaimed is gorgeous when it works, but yeah, the prep can be a nightmare. I once tried to use old barn wood for a feature wall and spent hours pulling out rusty nails. Worth it for a one-off, but not practical for bigger projects or tight timelines.
- FSC-certified softwoods are a solid compromise—clients like the eco angle, and the price isn’t as wild as some of the tropical hardwoods.
Curious if anyone’s tried bamboo decking? I’ve seen some products pop up, but haven’t used them yet. Wondering if it holds up or just looks good in the showroom...
Bamboo decking’s been on my radar too, but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I did see a neighbor install it last year—looked sharp, but after one winter, it started to show some splitting at the ends. Maybe it’s a climate thing? I love the idea of fast-growing, renewable material, but I’m still a bit skeptical about long-term durability, especially in wet or freeze-thaw zones. If anyone’s had better luck, I’d be curious, but for now, I’m sticking with thermally modified or FSC pine for most flips.
- Saw the same thing with bamboo at my brother-in-law’s place—looked awesome for about six months, then the ends started curling and splitting.
- Thermally modified wood’s held up better for me, especially in our damp springs.
- Curious if anyone’s tried composite made with recycled content? I know it’s not as “natural,” but it might be a solid compromise for longevity and sustainability.
- Still, nothing beats the look of real wood... just wish it lasted longer in tough climates.
- Anyone had luck sealing bamboo to prevent those splits, or is it just not worth the hassle?
