What Decking Material Lasts The Longest? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’re planning to build a deck in Los Angeles or Orange County, you’ve probably asked the question: What material will actually hold up best over time? Between the strong sun, dry air, and coastal moisture, not all decking materials age the same way in Southern California.

As a proud LA & OC deck company for the past 20 years, we’ve worked with just about every material out there. Some options require a lot of upkeep and still won’t last more than 10–15 years. Others can go 40 years or more with barely any maintenance.

Here’s what to expect from the three main categories of decking: tropical hardwoods, softwoods, and composites/PVC.

Tropical Hardwoods: Decking Material Built To Outlast Everything

Examples: Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa

Tropical hardwoods are some of the strongest, most durable materials you can put outdoors. These woods are dense, naturally resistant to bugs and rot, and hold up incredibly well under heavy use.

• Ipe is known as one of the toughest decking woods on the market. It lasts 40–50 years, resists fire and moisture, and has a rich brown color that looks great with oil or left to weather into silver.
• Cumaru is slightly more affordable than Ipe and offers a reddish-brown tone with a lifespan of 30–40 years.
• Garapa has a golden look and still gives you 25–30 years of durability—better than most other natural woods.

Good to know: These woods don’t splinter easily, don’t get as hot as composites, and don’t need chemical treatment. You’ll want to oil them once or twice a year to keep their color, but they don’t need sealing or staining.

Softwoods: Lower Cost Decking Material, Shorter Lifespan

Examples: Pressure-Treated Pine, Redwood, Cedar, Cypress

Softwoods are more common on budget builds, but they just don’t hold up as long in the Southern California climate.

• Pressure-treated Pine is cheap and widely available, but expect 10–15 years max before it starts to warp, crack, or rot.
• Redwood and Cedar hold up better (15–20 years) thanks to their natural resistance to decay, but they still need regular sealing to prevent damage.
• Cypress is sometimes used for a natural look with moderate durability, but it’s not common in this region.

Bottom line: Softwoods cost less up front, but they demand more maintenance. You’ll need to stay on top of cleaning, sealing, and repairs, especially in sunny or coastal areas.

Composites & PVC: Long Life Decking Material, Minimal Upkeep

Examples: TimberTech, Trex, Deckorators

If you’re looking for low maintenance and serious staying power, composite and PVC decking are strong options.

• TimberTech-Azek Advanced PVC (formerly Azek) doesn’t contain any wood, so it won’t rot, swell, or crack. It lasts 40–50 years and is one of the best choices for fire zones or beachfront properties.
• Trex offers high-performance capped composites that are made with 95% recycled materials. Their Transcend line lasts 25–35 years and resists fading, staining, and mold.
• Deckorators uses a mineral-based composite that’s lightweight, won’t sag, and holds up for 35–40 years with very little maintenance.

What makes it last: These boards are fully capped on all sides, which keeps moisture out. They don’t need staining or sealing, and they hold their color well even after years in the sun.

So, What’s The Longest Lasting Decking Material?

Here’s the quick summary:

• Longest lasting natural wood: Ipe (40–50 years)
• Longest lasting synthetic: TimberTech Advanced PVC (40–50 years)
• Best low-maintenance option: Composites (Trex, Deckorators)
• Best short-term value: Pressure-treated Pine or Redwood (10–20 years)

For long-term value in Los Angeles or Orange County, hardwoods and composites come out on top. They handle the heat, hold their shape, and don’t need constant attention. That’s why we use them for most of our backyard remodeling and commercial decks across Southern California.

If you’re not sure what’s right for your space, we’re happy to help. Our team at LA Decks can walk you through the options and recommend what will last longest for your layout, budget, and lifestyle.

Ready to start your deck project? Reach out to LA Decks for a free on-property consultation.