Shrinking forests and dwindling supplies of quality lumber have nudged the development of both alternative wood products and engineered materials suitable for decks and other garden structures.

All these offerings are intended for decking and railings only; typically, they sit atop a standard deck frame built from structural softwoods or pressure-treated lumber.

The tropical connection
Decks are going uptown by first heading below the equator. These new imported hardwoods can create a nearly furniture-grade look, especially when installed with invisible fasteners. Some are beautiful, durable, rot-resistant woods that do not need to be finished. Cambara and meranti are two choices. Plantation-grown mahogany and teak are also available in some areas.

Because they're harder and heavier than domestic decking woods, most tropicals come in a thinner "5/4" thickness (about 1 inch thick). To find suitable hardwood products, you may have to do some shopping on the Internet or talk with local wood suppliers.