# Choosing Real-Wood Decking for Sun and Shade in Austin October 09, 2026 · BigDecks A material list cannot tell you where you will want to sit on a summer afternoon. When planning a real-wood deck in Austin, look at the site and the way you will use it alongside the wood, board proportions and finish. Sun, shade, water and the connection to the house all belong in that decision. BigDecks offers real-wood decking, including Douglas fir, Western red cedar, pressure-treated pine, ipe and thermally modified wood. The right discussion starts with your yard and the specific product being proposed, rather than a universal “best for Texas” ranking. ## Map the hours when you want to use the deck Photograph the proposed area at different times of day. Note where you want morning coffee, an outdoor table or a place to lounge. Compare those uses with the shade from the house and existing trees. Bring the photographs into the layout review. A dining area, path and lounge area do not have to share the same exposure. Moving a sitting area or discussing a pergola may be part of the answer, alongside the surface selection. Confirm any shade structure as its own designed and quoted scope. ## Compare a wood and finish together Ask to see current samples of the proposed wood and finish. View them beside the house materials and any stone or steel you intend to use. A photograph is useful for direction, but screen color and a sample are different ways of judging a material. Tell the team what matters most: grain, board scale, tone, visible nail heads, or how the surface relates to the garden. Ask how the proposed finish will be maintained and what appearance to expect over time. Avoid treating a material name as a promise of a fixed lifespan, a particular temperature or no maintenance. ## Keep board proportions separate from the supporting structure The [BigDecks OG 4×12](https://bigdecks.co/real-wood-deck-builders-austin/) is our signature broad-board surface in Douglas fir or Western red cedar. The little g uses 2×10 surface boards in the same woods. These describe surface arrangements; framing, foundations and connections are selected for the actual project. Compare the board arrangement in a drawing of your space. Look at its relationship to doors, steps and furniture, and where board ends will be visible. Neither profile is restricted to a particular lot size or to a secondary area of the backyard. ## Understand what is included in each option - **Douglas fir and Western red cedar:** Discuss the proposed profile, finish and appearance together. - **Standard Decks:** Pressure-treated pine structure and surface, ring-shank nails and an unfinished base. Finish is purchased separately. - **Ipe:** Confirm the particular material, installation scope, finish and care guidance in your proposal. - **Thermally modified wood:** Ask which species and product is being specified, and request the corresponding product and care information. BigDecks does not offer composite decking. A quote comparison should reflect the materials each builder actually proposes and the complete work included. ## Bring water and maintenance into the layout If the deck meets a pool, outdoor shower or planting area, show those connections on the plan. Ask the team to review drainage, cleaning access and transitions for the site. The wood choice alone does not resolve those details. Discuss how furniture will be moved for care and which areas will be harder to reach. Request care guidance for the actual wood and finish you select rather than adopting a generic annual resealing rule from an article. ## Make the selection part of the design conversation [Design Assist](https://bigdecks.co/design-assist/) is a paid, tiered service. Your proposal confirms the design fee, included deliverables and revision allowance. Construction and specialist work are quoted separately unless expressly included. Bring photographs of your yard, approximate dimensions and a few references that show what attracts you. Use the [deck pricing tool](https://bigdecks.co/price/) for a planning estimate, then [talk through the wood, shade and wider space with BigDecks](https://bigdecks.co/start/). Planning a project? [Explore real-wood deck building in Austin](https://bigdecks.co/real-wood-deck-builders-austin/), [estimate your deck](https://bigdecks.co/price/), or work through your layout with [Design Assist](https://bigdecks.co/design-assist/). Material availability, pricing, and site requirements are confirmed for your project. ## More from the journal - [Choose Outdoor Bathing Equipment Before Finalizing Your Backyard Plan](https://bigdecks.co/blog/choose-outdoor-bathing-equipment-backyard-plan/) - [Designing an Austin Backyard for Evening Use](https://bigdecks.co/blog/designing-austin-backyard-evening-use/) - [Planning Easier Access and Circulation for an Austin Deck](https://bigdecks.co/blog/planning-easier-access-circulation-austin-deck/) ![Broad wood decking and exposed board ends on a BigDecks project](https://bigdecks.co/images/projects/Forrest-127-web.webp)A BigDecks project. Real wood. Size matters. ## Start with the original. Our signature OG 4×12 boards set the scale. Explore the materials and get an estimate for your space. [Price your deck →](https://bigdecks.co/price/?wood=og-df) [Talk through your project](https://bigdecks.co/#hero-quote) --- [View this page](https://bigdecks.co/blog/choosing-real-wood-decking-sun-shade-austin/) · [Contact BigDecks](https://bigdecks.co/contact/) · [Agent guide](https://bigdecks.co/llms.txt)