Backyard deck construction: What are the best no maintenance materials to use?

Answer 1

I've got a deck that was built almost two years ago. The no maintenance part is built of the new composite material, that is part wood and part plastic. This was used for the decking, and the top rails on the stairs and surround. This is not recommended for the supports or ballisters. Everything else is pressure treated. The deck is not completely "no maintenance", as we put wood preservative on the pressure treated, and will have to repeat this about every two years. The composite, doesn't have to be treated, and about all that we have done, is to wash off any stains from it, from where something was dropped, or bird droppings. The easiest way to put the wood preservative on it, is with a pump type garden sprayer ( about $20.00 at Home Depot).

Answer 2

Recycled plastic "lumber" costs about 10 times as much as good treated deck wood. If you have an unlimited supply of money, plastic lumber is best, if not, pressure treated wood with a nice redwood stain is great.

Answer 3

You asked for the best.
There is a recycled plastic material ( a couple of different brand names ) that is extremely low maintaince (like none) and pretty much lasts forever. It even comes in colors. you won't even need to stain it the first time.
It is more expensive but it is the best.

Answer 4

If you are going to use wood, use either ceder, or pressure treated wood. Ceder is the most expensive, but pressure treated has a bad habit of warping. One more thing, pressure treated is treated with cyanide, and one should wear a dust mast of some sort when cutting the wood.