In Tacoma, Is Hardwood or Softwood Decking the More Popular Choice?

If you live in Tacoma, you know the drill: we get a few glorious months of sunshine, and the rest of the year is a battle against the “Big Gray.” When you’re standing in your backyard trying to decide what material to use for a new deck, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by technical specs.

At Decks Restore, we’ve spent years literal years scrubbing moss and sealing planks across Pierce County. We’ve seen what holds up against our relentless North End rain and what turns into a slippery mess by year three. While the “hardwood vs. softwood” debate is an old one, the choice usually comes down to how much you value your weekends—and your wallet.

The Great Tacoma Favorite: Softwood (Specifically, Cedar)

Let’s be real: walk through almost any neighborhood in North Slope or University Place, and you’re looking at a Western Red Cedar deck. It’s the unofficial mascot of PNW backyards, and for good reason.

• It won’t break the bank: Look, we’re all feeling the pinch lately. Softwood is just more approachable for the average family budget.
• It smells like home: There’s nothing quite like the scent of fresh-cut cedar. It fits the “Northwest Vibe” better than almost anything else.
• The “Rain Factor”: Cedar has these natural oils that act like a built-in raincoat. It handles our damp winters better than almost any other budget-friendly wood.

The catch? It’s soft. If you have a 70-pound Golden Retriever or kids who treat your wood deck like a skatepark, you’re going to see some dings and scratches.

The “Forever Deck”: Why We’re Seeing More Hardwood

Lately, we’ve been installing a lot more Ipe, Tigerwood, and Mahogany. These aren’t just “expensive woods”; they are essentially “iron in tree form.”

If you’re the type of person who wants to build a deck once and then never think about structural rot again for the next 40 years, hardwood is your best friend. It’s incredibly dense—so dense, in fact, that it actually sinks in water. This density makes it naturally resistant to the bugs and rot that usually feast on Tacoma decks.

Why people are making the jump:

• Low Stress: You’ll still want to oil it to keep that rich, chocolatey color, but you aren’t worrying about planks warping or splintering every spring.
• Curb Appeal: It looks expensive because it is expensive. It gives a home that high-end, “architectural digest” feel that definitely helps with resale value.

Tacoma Decking Comparison: 2026 Edition

The Reality Check: Which One Wins?

In our neck of the woods, Softwood is still the most popular. Most Tacoma homeowners stick with Cedar because it’s local, it’s beautiful, and it gets the job done for a fair price.

But if you’re planning on staying in your “forever home” and you’re tired of the cycle of sanding and repairing every few years, Hardwood is a powerhouse investment.

Pro Tip: Whether you go with a classic Cedar or a luxury Ipe, the Tacoma rain is your biggest enemy. If you don’t seal it properly, the wood doesn’t care how much you paid for it—it will turn gray.

Still staring at a pile of wood samples and feeling stuck? Give our deck builders a shout. We’d love to swing by, look at your space, and give you a straight-up answer on what makes sense for your specific backyard and budget.