Redwood
A newly built redwood deck with a hogwire railing in a mountain region. Redwood’s warm, natural hue helps a deck blend into rustic outdoor surroundings.
Redwood is a premium decking wood known for its stunning natural beauty and decay resistance. Sourced mostly from California and the Pacific Northwest, redwood heartwood contains natural chemicals (tannins) that make it resistant to rot and pests without needing treatment. It has a distinctive reddish-brown color and tight grain that give a deck an elegant, natural look. Many homeowners choose redwood for its combination of strength, relative light weight, and gorgeous appearance.
Pros: Aesthetically, redwood is hard to beat – it has a rich, reddish hue that ages to a soft gray if left untreated, lending a classic rustic charm. It’s smoother and typically has fewer knots than pressure-treated lumber or even cedar, giving it a high-end look. Redwood naturally resists decay and insects similar to cedar, so it performs well in damp or rainy environments (it was historically used for barns and outdoor structures for this reason). It also stays fairly cool underfoot in hot sun (much cooler than composite or metal decks), making it comfortable for bare feet in summer. If properly cared for, redwood decks can be very long-lasting – in fact, in harsh climates like Lake Tahoe, builders note that a well-maintained redwood deck can last up to 30 years.
Cons: Cost is higher with redwood – it’s generally a mid to upper-range priced wood due to limited supply outside the West Coast. Using redwood for an entire deck can be expensive if you’re on a tight budget. Another consideration is maintenance: to keep that lovely color and prevent checking (surface cracking), redwood should be sealed or stained every couple of years. Skipping maintenance will cause the wood to weather more quickly (turning gray and potentially growing rough or splintery). Redwood is also softer than exotic hardwoods, so it can dent or scratch a bit easier. Lastly, depending on your region, redwood may not be readily available, or you might only find lower-grade stock (which has more knots or sapwood that is less rot-resistant). If you live outside of the Western U.S., you may need to special-order it and ensure it’s sourced sustainably.
Best for: Those who want a natural, beautiful wood deck and are willing to do moderate upkeep. Redwood is ideal for a rustic or natural aesthetic, mountain cabins, or anyone who appreciates the look of real wood and plans to maintain it. It does especially well in climates like the western US where it’s native, and it can handle snowy conditions (like Tahoe) when properly protected. Make sure to look for sustainably harvested redwood (FSC-certified) to ensure environmentally responsible sourcing.
