CEDAR DECKING OPTIONS
dISCOVER THE CEDAR LOOK THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Love the Cedar Look? Let Us Help You Choose the Perfect Solution
If you're researching cedar decking, you're drawn to that beautiful warm wood tone and natural grain. The good news? There are now multiple ways to achieve that stunning cedar aesthetic - each with different benefits for Missouri homeowners. Let's explore your options.
What Most People Don't Know About Traditional Cedar
Before you invest, here's what we tell every homeowner
Industry Secret: Most cedar decks installed in Missouri experience noticeable warping and gaps within 6-12 months due to moisture acclimation issues. This is normal for traditional cedar, but there are better solutions.
Traditional Cedar Challenges
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High Moisture Content: Cedar arrives at 15-25% moisture, leading to significant shrinkage, cupping, and warping as it dries in Missouri's climate
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Dimensional Movement: Boards can shrink up to 1/4" in width, creating gaps and uneven surfaces within the first year
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Annual Maintenance Required: Must be cleaned and sealed every 1-2 years to prevent graying, splintering, and UV damage
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Splinter Risk: Softer wood fiber leads to splintering, especially in high-traffic areas and as boards age
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Color Inconsistency: Natural cedar boards vary wildly in color—from blonde to deep red—making uniform appearance difficult
Better Cedar-Look Alternatives
Get the cedar aesthetic without the headaches
Option 1: Kiln-Dried Lumber with Premium Cedar Stain
This approach combines the beauty of cedar with modern wood technology. We use kiln-dried pressure-treated lumber that's been professionally dried to 19% moisture content, then finished with a premium transparent stain in cedar tones.
Key Advantages
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Greatly Reduced Shrinkage: Kiln drying removes excess moisture before installation—boards stay much more stable year-round
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Perfect Cedar Color: Achieve the exact cedar tone you want with professional-grade stain—uniform color across every board
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Better Durability: Pressure-treated for ground contact protection, resistant to rot, insects, and decay
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Harder Surface: Less prone to dents, scratches, and splinters than soft cedar
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More Cost-Effective: Beautiful cedar appearance at a fraction of the cost of real cedar
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Easier Maintenance: Re-stain every 3-4 years instead of annual sealing
Why We Recommend This: You get the beautiful cedar appearance you want with significantly better performance and stability. Many contractors and homeowners who buy from us find this is the perfect balance of aesthetics and practicality.
Option 2: Premium Composite Decking with Cedar Tones
If you want the cedar aesthetic with absolutely zero maintenance, modern composite decking offers stunning wood-grain textures and warm cedar color options that are virtually indistinguishable from real wood.
Composite Advantages:
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No Maintenance: Never sand, seal, or stain—just occasional soap and water cleaning
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Splinter-Free: Completely smooth surface—perfect for families with kids and pets
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Fade Resistant: Color stays consistent for decades with UV-resistant shell
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Stain & Scratch Resistant: Shell technology resists spills, scratches, and mold
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Comprehensive Warranty: 25-30 year limited warranty on material and fade resistance
Why We Recommend This: You get the beautiful cedar appearance you want with significantly better performance and stability. Many contractors and homeowners who buy from us find this is the perfect balance of aesthetics and practicality.
Trex
Industry leader with the most realistic wood grain patterns and extensive cedar tone selections
Envision
Premium composite with exceptional durability and rich, multi-tonal cedar colorways
Deckorators
Excellent value with innovative Eovations® technology and authentic wood-look finishes
Option 3: Traditional Western Red Cedar
We still offer traditional cedar for clients who want authentic natural wood and are committed to proper maintenance. Here's what you need to know:
Realistic Expectations With Cedar Decking
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⚠️First Year: Expect visible shrinkage and gaps as moisture content stabilizes
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⚠️Maintenance: Annual cleaning and sealing required, or it will turn gray within 6-12 months
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⚠️Color Variation: Natural boards vary from light honey to dark red—perfectly matched color is impossible
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⚠️Splinters: Will develop over time, especially in high-traffic areas
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⚠️Lifespan: 15-20 years with excellent maintenance, 10-12 years with average care
🤔Our Perspective
Traditional cedar is beautiful and there's nothing quite like authentic wood. However, after supplying materials for thousands of decks in Missouri, we've learned that many homeowners underestimate the ongoing commitment traditional cedar requires.
The maintenance schedule can be more demanding than expected, and the natural movement of the wood surprises some homeowners. That's why we typically recommend our kiln-dried option or composite for most applications.
That said: If you love authentic wood, enjoy maintaining your outdoor spaces, and appreciate the natural character that comes with real cedar (including its aging process), it can be a wonderful choice. We're happy to supply it and provide guidance on proper installation techniques to maximize its performance.
If You Choose Cedar
We source Select Tight Knot (STK) grade from sustainable forests and provide detailed installation guidelines for proper acclimation, spacing, and ventilation to maximize performance.
Side-by-side comparison
Feature | Kiln Dried + Satin (⭐ RECOMMENDED) | Composite | Traditional Cedar |
|---|---|---|---|
Best For | Best value & performance balance | Zero-maintenance priority | Wood purists willing to maintain |
Expected Lifespan | 20+ years | 20+ years | 15 years |
Durability | ★★★★★ Pressure-treated protection | ★★★★★ Engineered resilience | ★★★☆☆ Moderate with care |
Splinter Risk | Low | None | Moderate-High |
Annual Maintenance | Re-stain every 3-4 years | Soap & water only | Clean & seal annually |
Dimensional Stability | ★★★★★ Greatly reduced shrinkage | ★★★★★ Engineered stable | ★★☆☆☆ Significant movement |
Cedar Appearance | ✓ Perfect color match | ✓ Wood-grain texture | ✓ Authentic (varied) |
Why Choose Top Deck
Honest Recommendation
We provide expert guidance on material selection—no upselling, just honest advice based on your needs and budget.
Material Expertise
We source premium kiln-dried lumber and carry all major composite brands. Direct relationships with manufacturers ensure quality.
Quality Materials
Every board is inspected for quality. Our kiln-dried lumber is verified to proper moisture content before it leaves our facility.
Installation Support
Detailed installation guides and technical support for contractors and DIYers. We help ensure proper installation from the start.
Manufacturer Warranties
Full manufacturer warranties on all materials. We stand behind what we sell and help with any warranty issues.
Missouri Experience
15+ years supplying decking materials in Missouri's unique climate—we know what performs well and what doesn't.