Pro Review: TimberTech by Azek

When it comes to upgrading a deck or building a brand new backyard feature for a home, it’s important to get a sense of your options. What is the best decking material, and which outdoor living brands do professional contractors trust? At The Exterior Living Company, we recommend TimberTech by Azek to hundreds of clients every year. That’s because the quality of TimberTech Azek decking is, frankly speaking, leaps and bounds above so much of its competitive field.

But is TimberTech the right outdoor living brand for your decking project? That will depend on how long you need it to last, as well as your aesthetic goals. Let’s talk about it.

What is the Best Decking Material?

To answer this question, it’s necessary to narrow the field a bit. That’s because when someone is looking for a new or resurfaced deck, there are two different paths to take.

Pressure-Treated Decks

• Lower Up-Front Expense
• Natural Wooden Look

Composite Decks

• Less Maintenance
• Modern, Finished Look

Both deck build types have a variety of pros and cons with competing materials and brands to choose from. We generally recommend composite decking for homeowners interested in optimal longevity, low maintenance, and a contemporary aesthetic.

What is the Best Composite Decking?

In our experience, the best materials for composite decking, railing, and trim come from TimberTech by Azek. Key features of the Timbertech Azek decking line include the following:

• Very low maintenance
• Wide range of colors (in both decking and railing)
• Different texture choices
• Authentic woodgrain options
• Various board sizes for creative patterns and designs

Are There Any Downsides to Composite Builds?

• Cost — While the upfront expense for composite decking in general is higher than that of pressure-treated decks, that’s not the full story. Once you factor in the longer lifespan and the savings on maintenance costs, composite decks offer a great long-term value.

How Does TimberTech Azek Decking Compare to Pressure-Treated Materials?

Azek’s TimberTech exceeds typical pressure-treated materials in the following areas:

• Lifespan
  • Boasting a 25-50 year lifespan, composite decking handles adverse weather and regular use with more grace than pressure-treated wood.
• Quality
  • Where pressure-treated wooden decks tend to splinter and degrade over time, composite decking does a better job holding its features, appearance, and functionality.
• Home Value
  • While aesthetics can be somewhat subjective, composite decking will generally raise the value of a home more than its pressure-treated equivalent. In other words, if resale is a consideration, this product is worth looking into.

What styles, colors, or other features are available?

Azek’s TimberTech composite decking line offers tons of colors, styles, and features with more being added every year.

What Stylistic Choices are Popular in 2025?

Current trends lean away from bulky railing, as thinner rails can help to maximize the view and make a deck feel even bigger. Running deck boards away from the house is another popular deck trend designed to pull the eye towards the backyard. Under lighting packages are also very popular. These can cause the deck to feel like more of an extension of a home's first floor.

What are the Maintenance Requirements for TimberTech Azek Decking?

A proper installation is critical, but this is an extremely durable product. Assuming the deck is properly installed, an annual power washing is all these decks typically require for perfect upkeep.

Compared to the re-painting and re-staining that a pressure-treated deck needs throughout its lifespan, this can represent a major benefit for homeowners going the composite decking route.

Ready to speak with a fully trained, Platinum Pro TimberTech Contractor? Give ELC a call!

How Much Does a Composite Deck Cost to Build?

While a lot of factors affect a quote, the typical composite deck with aluminum rail will cost approximately 25-35% more up front than a pressure-treated deck.

What Factors Impact Pricing?

Labor costs on a composite deck do run slightly higher, but not significantly so. Most of the cost is reflected in the cost of materials.

The Composite Deck Installation Process

So you've decided you want a TimberTech by Azek deck — now what?

Can I Build a DIY Composite Deck?

We're not the guys to discourage a handyman from taking on a tough project. That said, without deck-building specialization, there's a lot that can go wrong here — even for an experienced carpenter. Improper fastener locations can cause massive headaches, and if your framing isn't designed to accept composite decking, that can make for a rude post-installation awakening.

What Should Homeowners Look For in a Pro Deck Builder?

When it comes to a high-end outdoor living brand like TimberTech by Azek, installers should ideally have undergone specific training on how to install this specialized product. The ELC crew maintains its status as a Platinum Pro Dealer of TT/Azek products because we recognize the many variables at play in each deck installation, and we believe our customers deserve true expertise. Our suppliers do a wonderful job keeping our inventory in stock, which allows us to be optimally efficient and keep build time to a minimum.

“The best carpenter with the best intentions will make mistakes that can void the warranty without proper training.” — ELC Owner, Mike Chekanoff

Which Homeowners Benefit Most From TimberTech Azeck Decking?

• Homeowners with sloped or ravined lots

• Homeowners looking to “extend” an interior living space to the exterior

• Homeowners with small homes who are in need of alternative living spaces

When Should Homeowners NOT Build a Composite Deck?

There’s only one property type I recommend homeowners stay away from building a specialty deck for, and that is a slab home. Homes built on a slab — these are properties where the house and backyard are perfectly level with each other and provide no elevation change — are not conducive to this type of outdoor living feature.