Picking the Right Deck Material for a Lorain County Backyard
Decking is our favorite part of the job at Jim Bob's, and it's also the question we get asked most: 'What should I build my deck out of?' There's no single right answer — it depends on your budget, how much maintenance you're willing to do, and how long you plan to be in the house. Here's how I walk homeowners through it.
Pressure-treated pine — the workhorse
Pressure-treated is what most decks in Lorain County are built from. It's affordable, it's strong, and with a coat of stain every couple of years it'll give you 15 to 20 solid years. The downside: it can warp, split, and needs regular love to look good.
Cedar — the pretty one
Cedar smells amazing when we're cutting it, it's naturally rot- and insect-resistant, and it ages into a beautiful silver-gray if you let it. It costs about 40% more than pressure-treated and it does need a UV-blocking sealer every 2–3 years if you want to keep the warm honey color.
Composite — the set-it-and-forget-it option
Composite (Trex, TimberTech, and the like) is a mix of recycled wood fiber and plastic. It won't rot, won't splinter, and won't need staining — ever. It's roughly 2–3 times the material cost of pressure-treated, but if you don't want to touch the deck for 25 years, that's the play.
For a lot of families we build a pressure-treated frame with composite decking on top and composite railings. You get the budget-friendly bones with a maintenance-free surface. Best of both worlds for most yards.
What Ohio weather does to your deck
- Freeze-thaw cycles are what really beat up untreated wood — water sneaks into micro-cracks and expands.
- Sun on the south side of your house will fade any material — even composite dulls slightly over 10+ years.
- Deer, chipmunks, and hungry woodpeckers are surprisingly hard on cedar deck boards. Ask us how we know.
"The deck you'll actually enjoy is the one that fits how you live — a couple that hosts every Saturday needs different boards than a family that just wants somewhere to sit with coffee."
— Robert, from just about every deck consult
Frequently asked
A typical 200–300 sq ft deck takes us 3–5 days once we start. Bigger, multi-level, or covered decks run 1–2 weeks.
Usually yes for any attached deck over 30 inches off the ground. We handle the permit for you.
Yep — we can extend, resurface, or rebuild sections and blend the new wood in as best we can. Composite is easier to match than pressure-treated because it doesn't age color.
Text a picture of your backyard to (440) 339-6862 and we'll come out with a tape measure and a few sketches. No pressure, no obligation.
Robert is the owner of Jim Bob's Roofing & Construction, a family-run, BBB-accredited crew serving LaGrange, Oberlin, Elyria, Wellington, and the rest of Lorain County. He's on-site every day and picks up the phone himself.
Get your free estimate
from Jim Bob's today.
Tell us about your project and we'll come out to give you an honest, no-pressure quote — usually within 48 hours.