Nashville Deck Builder Tips: How to Pick the Right Deck Material for Your Backyard

Pressure-Treated vs. Cedar vs. Composite

If you’re adding a deck in Middle Tennessee, the question isn’t just what looks good… it’s what holds up when July humidity and August sun roll in. At Williamz Constructors, our Custom Carpentry team builds decks every week… here’s a Nashville Deck Builder's honest breakdown of pressure-treated pine, cedar, and composite so you can pick the right material for your budget and backyard.

Pressure-Treated Pine: The Budget Workhorse

• What it is… Southern yellow pine infused with preservatives.

• Typical upfront cost… Lowest of the three.

• Maintenance… Needs cleaning each spring and sealing/staining every 1–2 years. Skipping this shows up fast—cupping, cracks, splinters.

• Lifespan… 10–15+ years with good care.

• Look… Classic “Southern deck” grain… takes stain well… color is easy to adjust later.

• Best for… Rental properties, budget-sensitive projects, or when you want to invest more in size/features (steps, benches, lighting) than in premium boards.

• Our take… Great value if you commit to routine maintenance. If you want low-maintenance… keep reading.

Cedar: Warm Tone, Lighter Weight, Better Stability

• What it is… Naturally rot-resistant softwood with tannins that resist insects. Upfront cost… ~1.5–2× pressure-treated depending on grade. Maintenance… Needs UV protection; plan on a clear/semi-transparent stain every 2–3 years.

• Lifespan… 15–20 years with care.

• Look… Beautiful, warm… fewer knots in higher grades… ages to silver if left natural.

• Best for… Homeowners who love real wood but want more stability and fewer splinters than pine.

• Our take… Cedar strikes a nice middle ground when the look of real wood matters… but remember it still needs regular love to keep that glow.

Composite: Low-Maintenance Champ

• What it is… Wood-plastic or mineral-based composites with protective caps.

• Upfront cost… Highest material cost… often balanced by lower lifetime maintenance.

• Maintenance… Rinse + mild soap… no staining or sealing.

• Lifespan… 25 years and up; many brands carry long fade/stain warranties.

• Look… From convincingly “wood-like” to modern… consistent color across boards.

• Heat + slip… Premium lines run cooler and add traction… worth the upgrade around pools or full-sun yards.

• Best for… Busy families who want a deck that looks good for years with minimal upkeep.

• Our take… In Nashville’s humidity and UV, composite is hard to beat over 10–15 years… especially if you factor in the cost (and time) of repeated staining on wood decks.

Real-World Cost Over Time (Simple Scenario)

• Pressure-treated: lowest install… but plan for repeating stain/seal cycles + more frequent board swaps.

• Cedar: higher install… slightly less maintenance than pine… still needs regular UV protection.

• Composite: higher install… minimal ongoing cost… time saved every single year.

If you’ll live in the home 5 years or more… composite often pencils out as the better lifetime value, not just the prettier option.

Don’t Forget the Substructure

Even if you choose composite surface boards, your frame is typically pressure-treated lumber. We recommend:

• Upgrading to ground-contact-rated beams where needed…

• Flashing the tops of joists…

• Stainless or coated fasteners compatible with the boards……so the “bones” last as long as the surface.

Our Nashville Deck Builder Recommendations

• Full sun, busy household, pool area… Composite with a cooler-running, capped board and a light color.

• Shaded yard, tight budget, handy homeowner… Pressure-treated pine with a maintenance plan on day one.

• Design-forward, natural look… Clear-grade cedar with a penetrating UV finish every couple of years.

Upgrade Ideas That Matter

• Hidden fasteners for barefoot comfort…

• Picture-frame borders for a finished look…

• Integrated step lighting and post caps…

• A landing that meets code cleanly and feels natural to use.

Ready to price your deck?

Our Custom Carpentry crew can measure, design, and quote in one visit… and we’ll price wood vs. composite side-by-side so you can see the real numbers. Send a few photos and rough dimensions… we’ll handle the rest.