• An attractive and well-maintained deck can provide both pleasure and good resale value.deck image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
  
  Your deck may be the most used outdoor space in your home. As such, choosing which decking material to use is an important decision. You'll have to balance cost, maintenance requirements, appearance and durability to find the option that is right for you. The Deck Industry Association reported that more than 50 decking choices were available in 2008, but there are ways to narrow your choices.
  
  

Softwoods

• Cedar is a durable choice for decking.old iron chair on decking overlooking small lake image by green308 from Fotolia.com
  
  According to Consumer Reports, approximately 80 percent of homeowners choose wood for their decks. Possible softwoods include redwood, cedar and pine, all of which are readily available either treated with chemicals to help preserve the wood or untreated. According to the University of Tennessee Extension, softwoods are usually less expensive than either hardwoods or composite decks and, if properly maintained, can last for many years. The extension service notes that softwoods are easy to work with and do not require the special equipment that may be needed to install both hardwoods and composite materials.
  
  

Hardwoods

• Choose sustainably farmed teak for a long-lasting deck.empty chair image by Scott Slattery from Fotolia.com
  
  Homeowners with an interest in the beauty of natural wood while increasing durability sometimes choose tropical hardwoods for decking, including teak, ironwood and ipe. Most hardwoods contain natural preservatives so do not need the chemicals contained in treated lumber. There are hardwoods to choose from even in common, local home building-supply stores; look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label when shopping.
  
  Hardwoods are the most expensive option for decking and can be difficult to work with because they have such a tight grain, making nailing difficult. But their durability and appearance win many homeowners over. Smarter Homes advises consumers to choose certifiable, sustainably farmed hardwoods in order to decrease the millions of acres of tropical rainforest lost each year to unsustainable logging. Sustainably farmed woods are grown and processed in ways that do less harm to the environment.
  
  

Composite Materials

• Some plastic decking is grooved to resemble natural wood.Deck de madeira image by CarlosNeto from Fotolia.com
  
  Composites are composed of a combination of wood and plastic. These materials cost a bit more than softwood but slightly less than certain hardwoods. Choose composite materials if durability is your primary consideration since periodic cleaning is all that is required. Consumer Reports favors composite materials for "lasting good looks."
  
  Composites are available in a wide range of colors and textures, with grooves and graining to mimic natural wood. Some materials are flexible and can be cut in curved shapes or patterns that would be very costly to duplicate with either softwoods or hardwoods.