Nestled amid oak-dotted hills, Walnut Creek’s balmy climate and abundance of sunny days beckon homeowners outside to soak up the sublime Northern California surroundings. For many, the ideal way to take full advantage of the area’s inviting weather is by extending their living space outwards with a custom wood deck. There’s no better spot for unwinding with a glass of local wine, hosting a memorable barbecue, or simply lounging after a long workweek.
Yet with the range of wood varieties available, how do Walnut Creek homeowners discern which types will blend harmoniously with their home’s style while delivering on performance? This guide from the experts at Bay Area Outdoor Living will illuminate the most coveted wood decking options to consider for your Walnut Creek oasis.
Alluring Ipe Wood: Exotic Good Looks and Superb Durability
For Walnut Creek homeowners seeking a wood decking material that checks all the boxes for beauty, strength, and endurance, look no further than exotic Ipe. Harvested responsibly from Central and South American forests, Ipe possesses an unrivaled combination of durability, workability, and sumptuous visual appeal reminiscent of teak. This dense, olive-toned hardwood showcases swirling grains and veining that lend decks a striking, sophisticated flair.
Beyond aesthetics, Ipe wood decks demand attention with their exceptional resilience against weathering, wear, and insects. Thanks to an unmatched density, Ipe easily outlasts even pressure-treated pine. Its natural oils also make it resistant to rot, mold, and fire. Of course, longevity comes with a cost — Ipe sits at the higher end of wood decking prices. However, given its 50+ year lifespan with care, the return on investment over decades of use makes Ipe worth the initial spend.
Cumaru Wood: Strong, Stable, and Richly Hued
Another prized Brazilian hardwood, Cumaru provides the bright, warm glow of teak at a lower cost. Relatively obscure until recent years, Cumaru offers similar durability to Ipe along with tremendous dimensional stability. This hardwood’s high density often allows deck builders to use thinner boards while retaining strength. Outdoors, Cumaru patinas into a refined brownish-orange shade over time. Its pronounced wood grain patterns and swirling dark streaks lend even simple deck designs an exotic, tropical flair.
Beyond looks, Cumaru demonstrates exceptional slip and scratch resistance. And like Ipe, Cumaru carries a Class A fire rating and easily achieves a 50+ year service life with appropriate care. Its inherent longevity means few worries about splintering, cupping, or the need for frequent upkeep. While costlier than pressure-treated pine, Cumaru provides an unmistakable upgrade in aesthetics and stability for decades to come.
Redwood Decking: A Northern California Classic
For Walnut Creek homeowners seeking a rich, refined West Coast vibe, majestic redwood beckons. Indigenous to Northern California, redwood offers a one-of-a-kind grain pattern and palette spanning cinnamon red to chocolate brown. Its straightness and stability means beautiful wide deck boards with few irregularities. Redwood contains high amounts of tannin and resin that act as natural insect and rot repellents, allowing it to stand up to the elements.
While redwood costs more than pressure-treated lumber, it rewards owners with inherent beauty and longevity. Its soft texture and splinter-free smoothness provide a delightfully barefoot-friendly feel. With care, a redwood deck graces homes for 30+ years before replacement. For Walnut Creek families, a custom redwood deck surrounded by native oaks captures the essence of indoor-outdoor California living.
Teak Wood: Timeless Elegance for Seaside Decks
Beloved for centuries across yacht decks and beach homes, golden-hued teak wood imparts natural warmth and grace. Its smooth grain and multicolored streaks set any deck design apart with a refined nautical ambiance. While some tropical and old-growth varieties of teak are now restricted, sustainable plantations in Africa, Costa Rica, and Indonesia help make this luxurious hardwood an attainable indulgence.
Ideal for near seaside conditions, teak is highly resistant to rot, mildew, and wood-boring pests. It ages beautifully into a silvery-gray over decades while maintaining its strength and integrity. Teak does require more routine maintenance to uphold its regal visual appeal — generally a thorough washing and re-oiling twice per year. But for Walnut Creek homeowners desiring ageless magnificence, a teak deck is well worth the modest upkeep.
Thermally-Modified Cedar and Pine: Eco-Friendly Durability
For sustainable-minded Walnut Creek families, modified wood deck boards offer eco-friendly durability. These boards undergo proprietary heating methods that improve dimensional stability, abrasion-resistance, and weathering qualities versus traditional wood. Premier options like Kebony use Norwegian softwoods like maple and pine heated to alter their cell structure. Thermory utilizes a steam-based process to transform North American cedar and ash into hardy exterior decking. No chemicals are added, allowing for proper biodegrading.
Beyond their green merits, thermally-modified woods stay cooler underfoot on hot sunny days than composites. Their richly patterned grains and natural feel also bring warmth and authenticity that manufactured composites lack. While more costly than pressure-treated lumber, these modified woods provide enhanced performance with smaller environmental footprints. Their durability also reduces maintenance demands over time.
Tropical Hardwoods: Striking Grains and Contemporary Style
Homeowners desiring on-trend deck materials with dramatic graining have an array of options in tropical hardwoods like Tigerwood, Ipê, Massaranduba, and Garapa. Species like Tigerwood and Garapa showcase wild dark streaks and bands reminiscent of Tiger Maple — providing a bold, contemporary accent to any deck. Massaranduba’s crimson tones and prominent graining evoke Brazilian cherry.
These dense tropicals, sourced from responsibly managed forests in Central/South America and Southeast Asia, also deliver exceptional weather-resistance and stability. Their hardness makes them very resilient against foot traffic, furniture indentations, and wear over time. While costs exceed domestic softwoods, their lasting beauty, strength, and global flair justify the outlay for homeowners wanting to make a dramatic design statement. They provide durability along with exotic, eco-inspired elegance.
The Custom Wood Deck to Match Your Lifestyle
When thoughtfully planned, constructed, and maintained, wood decks in Walnut Creek create the ideal alfresco haven for relaxing and connecting with nature at home. By selecting the perfect wood variety for visual appeal, durability, and lifestyle sensibility, families and guests can enjoy decades of memories in the Northern California sun and fresh air. The deck provides that seamless transition from the comforts of home to the sublime beauty beckoning right beyond the backdoor.
