The Great Decking Debate
If you are building a new deck in Vancouver, one of the first decisions you will face is material selection. The two most popular options for the decking surface are Western Red Cedar and composite boards. Both have genuine advantages, and the right choice depends on your priorities — aesthetics, maintenance tolerance, budget, and how you plan to use the space.
Having built decks with both materials across Greater Vancouver for over 15 years, we have seen how each performs over time in our specific climate. Here is an honest comparison.
Western Red Cedar
Cedar has been the go-to decking material in the Pacific Northwest for generations, and for good reason. It is a beautiful, naturally durable wood that grows right here in British Columbia.
Advantages of cedar:
- Natural resistance to moisture, decay, and insects without chemical treatment
- Warm, authentic wood appearance and pleasant aroma when freshly installed
- Cooler surface temperature in direct sunlight compared to composite
- Lower upfront material cost than premium composite brands
- Can be sanded and refinished to restore its original appearance
- Environmentally sustainable when sourced from managed BC forests
Drawbacks of cedar:
- Requires regular maintenance — cleaning, staining, or sealing every one to three years
- Will grey and weather if left untreated (some homeowners prefer this look)
- Susceptible to splitting, checking, and cupping over time, especially with sun exposure
- Colour fades without consistent UV protection
- Lifespan of 15 to 25 years depending on maintenance quality
Cedar cost in Vancouver: Expect to pay $35 to $55 per square foot installed for a quality cedar deck, including the substructure. Premium clear-grade cedar will be at the higher end.
Composite Decking
Modern composite decking has improved dramatically from the early products that faded, stained, and grew mould. Today's capped composite boards from manufacturers like Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon offer excellent durability with minimal upkeep.
Advantages of composite:
- Extremely low maintenance — no staining, sealing, or sanding required
- Resistant to fading, staining, scratching, and moisture damage
- Will not splinter, warp, or crack under normal conditions
- Long manufacturer warranties, often 25 years or more
- Consistent colour and appearance over the life of the deck
- Available in a wide range of colours and wood-grain textures
Drawbacks of composite:
- Higher upfront cost than cedar
- Retains more heat in direct sunlight — can be uncomfortable barefoot on hot days
- Cannot be sanded or refinished if damaged
- Some homeowners feel it lacks the authentic look and feel of real wood
- Manufacturing process has a higher environmental footprint than locally sourced cedar
Composite cost in Vancouver: Budget $50 to $80 per square foot installed. Entry-level composite runs lower, while premium lines with enhanced grain patterns and colour options sit at the top of that range.
How They Perform in Vancouver's Climate
Vancouver's climate is the key factor in this decision. We get significant rainfall (on average over 160 days per year), mild winters with occasional frost, and moderate summer heat. This environment tests decking materials in specific ways.
Moisture handling. Both cedar and quality composite handle moisture well. Cedar's natural oils repel water, while composite's capped surface sheds it. The critical factor is the substructure and installation — proper slope, spacing, and ventilation matter more than the decking surface material for long-term moisture management.
Mould and algae. Vancouver's wet climate means any outdoor surface will eventually develop some algae growth. Cedar requires more aggressive cleaning to address this. Composite surfaces resist mould better but still need occasional washing, typically once or twice a year.
Temperature. Our summers are mild enough that composite heat buildup is rarely a major issue compared to hotter climates. That said, if your deck gets full afternoon sun, composite will be noticeably warmer underfoot.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose cedar if you love the look and feel of real wood, you do not mind regular maintenance, you want the lower upfront cost, or you prioritize environmental sustainability. Cedar is also the better choice if you want the option to change your deck colour down the road by re-staining.
Choose composite if you want a set-it-and-forget-it deck, you plan to stay in your home long enough to recoup the higher upfront investment through maintenance savings, or you want the peace of mind of a long manufacturer warranty.
A popular hybrid approach that we often recommend: use pressure-treated lumber or cedar for the substructure (where it is hidden from view) and composite boards for the walking surface. This gives you the durability and low maintenance of composite where it matters most while keeping the overall cost reasonable.
The Honest Bottom Line
There is no objectively better choice — both materials build excellent decks when installed properly. The question is what matters most to you. We build with both materials regularly and can walk you through samples, costs, and real-world examples during a free consultation.
What we always tell our clients: invest in the substructure regardless of your surface material choice. A perfectly built foundation with quality hardware and proper drainage will extend the life of any decking material by years.