Snowy & Cold Climates (e.g. Mountain or Northern Regions like Lake Tahoe)
If you live in an area with harsh winters, such as around Lake Tahoe or the northern U.S., your deck will likely spend a good portion of the winter under snow and face freeze-thaw cycles. Moisture resistance and structural strength are key here. Woods that are prone to absorbing water could suffer from cracking or rot as water freezes in them. Composite decking actually performs very well in snow and ice – since it doesn’t absorb water, you can shovel off snow and even use ice melt on it without damage. For natural wood in snowy climates, species like redwood, cedar, or treated pine can all work, but they must be sealed so they don’t take up water. Redwood and cedar have an edge in that they contain natural oils to repel moisture, but even so, a protective stain is wise to prevent water penetration in winter.
In a high-snow area like Lake Tahoe, builders often favor redwood combined with pressure-treated framing, as redwood has shown it can handle the environment when maintained. One Tahoe builder notes that using pressure-treated structural wood with a redwood deck surface, all properly stained, is one of the best choices for that harsh environment. They recommend re-staining every 2–3 years, and say a redwood deck in Tahoe can last up to 30 years if maintained. This shows that even in heavy snow, natural wood can last if you take care of it. Alternatively, tropical hardwoods like ipe are so dense that water has a hard time soaking in at all – making them very robust in freeze-thaw conditions (the wood won’t readily crack). Ipe’s only caveat in snow is that its smooth surface can be slippery when wet or icy (just as composites can be), so you might choose a texture or use mats in winter.
Cold temperatures alone (without much moisture) are generally not a problem for wood – most woods handle low temperatures fine. The bigger issue is fluctuating temperatures and moisture. Pressure-treated wood can handle cold, but if it’s not sealed, repeated freezing and thawing of wet wood can cause it to become brittle or crack over a few seasons. Always make sure water can drain off your deck (no puddles standing) before winter, and consider covering the deck or removing snow promptly to reduce moisture exposure. For snowy climates, it’s wise to go with either a naturally rot-resistant wood (redwood, cedar, ipe) or a composite, and ensure you use rust-proof fasteners and strong structural supports to handle the weight of snow. If using natural wood, keep up with sealing so meltwater doesn’t seep in deeply.
