Western red cedar
A Northwest classic with warm color, a pleasant smell when fresh cut and natural resistance to decay. It's softer than many woods, so furniture legs and dog claws leave marks. Left unfinished, it weathers to silver-grey.
Wood decks
Cedar and pressure-treated decks, with honest notes on care
Real wood still has a place in Seattle backyards. If you love natural grain or want a lower starting cost, we'll build it well and tell you exactly what upkeep to expect.
Two main options
Cedar or pressure-treated lumber?
Pressure-treated lumber
Treated to resist rot and insects, and usually the most budget-friendly decking. It starts pale or greenish and benefits from a stain once it has dried out. It's also the standard material for the framing under almost every deck.
Is wood right for you?
When a wood deck makes the most sense
- You want the look, feel and smell of real wood and enjoy how it ages
- Keeping the starting budget lower matters more than long-term upkeep
- The house is older or rustic and composite would look out of place
- The deck gets good sun and air, so it dries out between rains
- You're comfortable with a cleaning and re-staining routine every few seasons
If most of those don't fit, our composite vs. wood guide walks through the trade-offs in more depth.
Upkeep, honestly
What owning a wood deck here really involves
Seattle's rain doesn't ruin wood decks; standing water, shade and skipped maintenance do. Expect to clean the deck every year and re-apply a penetrating stain or sealer on the schedule the product recommends, which is typically more often on sunny, high-traffic areas.
Between those, keep leaves and needles swept off, trim back plants that hold moisture against the boards, and watch for raised screws or small splits. Catching a soft board early costs far less than replacing a section of frame later.
Choosing a finish
Clear sealers show the most grain but offer the least protection from sun and need refreshing most often. Semi-transparent stains add some color and UV protection while letting the grain show through. Solid stains look almost like paint, hide mismatched boards well and last longer between coats, but can peel on walking surfaces. We'll help you pick based on how much sun the deck gets and the look you're after.
How we build wood decks to last
- Corrosion-resistant screws and connectors rated for treated lumber
- Consistent board gaps so water drains and wood can swell and shrink
- Cut ends sealed where the lumber manufacturer recommends it
- Flashing at the house, the same as on our composite decks
Good to know
Wood deck questions
Should a new pressure-treated deck be stained right away?
Usually not. Treated lumber often needs time to dry before stain can soak in. We'll tell you what to look for and roughly when to plan the first coat.
Can I switch from wood to composite later?
In many cases. When the frame is sound and built to the spacing the new boards need, resurfacing is possible. Our deck repair page explains how we check.
Why did my old cedar deck turn grey?
Sunlight and weather break down the surface color of untreated cedar. The grey layer is mostly cosmetic; cleaning and a tinted finish can bring back warmer tones.
Keep reading
Thinking about a wood deck?
Get a free estimate for cedar or pressure-treated decking.