Wood vs. Composite Decking: What’s Best for Your Knoxville Home?

As you construct the ultimate deck for your Knoxville home, one of the biggest initial choices that you’ll have to make is: wood decks or composite decks? Each has its own pros and cons, in terms of weather resistance, maintenance, appearance, and cost.

At Preferred Construction, we’ve helped hundreds of Knoxville homeowners design decks that fit their lifestyle, budget, and vision. In this guide, we cover the differences to help you make the best choice for your home.

1. Timeless Charm: The Beauty of Wood Decking

Natural wood’s beauty and warmth are something no one can miss. Pressure-treated redwood, cedar, or pine wood decking creates that timeless look homeowners crave.

Pros:

• Warm, natural look that’s hard to beat
• More affordable up front (especially pressure-treated wood)
• Easy to stain or paint in the future

Cons:

• Requires regular maintenance (sealing, staining, cleaning)
• Prone to splintering, warping, and insect damage over time
• Shorter lifespan if not properly maintained

In Knoxville’s humid summers and fluctuating winters, wood decks need consistent maintenance.

2. Low-Maintenance Living: Composite Decking’s Advantage

Composite decking, which is composed of wood fibres and recycled plastic, has become a fast-rising alternative that people have started to explore. Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon are just some of the brands that come in a range of colors and textures that resemble expensive wood but are stronger.

Benefits:

• Low maintenance (no staining, sanding, or sealing)
• Resistant to rot, mold, insects, and moisture
• Long-lasting—can exceed 25+ years with minimal care

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost compared to wood
• Can get hot in direct sun
• Appearance isn’t always as warm or authentic as real wood

If you’re looking for long-term ease and performance, composite decking could be the right call for your Knoxville deck.

3. Knoxville’s Weather Durability

East Tennessee’s weather can be unpredictable, with hot summers and cool, rainy winters. That is where composite decking excels. Composite decks won’t crack or rot like natural wood when put in Knoxville’s unpredictable weather conditions.

Wooden decks, however, may expand, twist, and decay if they aren’t sealed and maintained regularly, giving your patio access to multiple wear-and-tear.

4. Earth-Friendly

If sustainability is on your home renovation to-do list, both materials have eco-friendly choices for your dream deck:

• Wood decking, when cut from sustainably harvested forests (such as FSC-certified wood), is a renewable resource.
• Composite decking tends to incorporate recycled materials, preventing landfill dumping and tree waste.

At Preferred Construction, we’d happily take you through eco-friendly solutions that suit your patio vision. Explore our services on our website to discover how we value style and sustainability for your home.

5. Budget Breakdown: What Will It Cost?

Your budget will also help determine the best material for your deck board:

• Pressure-treated wood is typically the most budget-friendly.
• Cedar and redwood come at a higher cost but offer greater resistance to decay.
• Composite decking has a higher upfront price but lower lifetime maintenance costs.

Pick something that will be long-term for your deck vision. While a composite may cost more initially, you could save thousands in maintenance over 10–15 years.

6. Looks Matter: Aesthetic Comparison

Wood decking has a rich, organic look that’s hard to match. You can change its color with stain, and it naturally weathers over time. Composite has come a long way, with brands offering realistic woodgrain textures and UV-resistant colors explore deck boards to replicate the exact charm as per your budget.

Explore samples and compare tones, grains, and finishes for your patio space. Meet our professional team that helps bring each homeowner’s vision to life.

7. Installation Considerations

Both materials install differently. Adding composite boards often requires special fasteners and tools, while wood can be cut and nailed with traditional equipment. While DIYers may lean toward wood, we always recommend professional installation to ensure safety and longevity, especially for second-story decks or large custom builds.

So, Which Should You Choose?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your lifestyle, maintenance preferences, aesthetic goals, and budget. Here’s a quick recap:

Need help planning your deck? Check out our website to learn how we make customizing your patio a reality.

Let’s Build Your Dream Deck in Knoxville

Here at Preferred Construction, we build custom decks that reflect your imagination—and Knoxville’s weather. If you’re drawn to timeless wood appeal or the maintenance-free performance of composite, we’ll be there for you from start to finish.

Ready to enhance your backyard? Contact us today for a consultation or stop by our gallery to get ideas from previous deck projects.