Decking
At Mason’s Mill & Lumber, we understand that decking isn’t just wood underfoot, it’s a defining architectural element of outdoor living. Whether you’re designing a backyard oasis or a commercial terrace, your choice of decking materials and accessories impacts durability, performance, aesthetics, and long-term value.
Decking& Accessories
Outdoor spaces deserve the same level of material consideration as the structures they connect to.
From refined residential decks to large-scale commercial terraces, the right decking system shapes how a space looks, weathers, and performs over time.
At Mason’s Mill & Lumber, we help you select materials that support both your design intent and long-term durability.
Our Core Decking Options
- Natural Wood Decking
- Composite Decking
- PVC Decking
Ayous / African Mahogany — Cutek Extreme Clear Finish
Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon), also known as Obeche, African Whitewood, Samba, or Wawa, is a lightweight tropical hardwood native to the forests of West and Central Africa. In its natural, unmodified state, Ayous has a pale cream to light yellow heartwood with a straight to slightly interlocked grain and a medium-to-coarse texture with good natural luster. It's frequently grouped with — and sold alongside — African Mahogany because of its similar workability, dimensional characteristics, and the way it accepts stains and finishes to achieve rich, mahogany-like tones.
Ayous is prized for several reasons that make it well-suited to architectural and millwork applications: it's remarkably lightweight (roughly 24 lbs/ft³), which eases handling for vertical siding, ceiling, and overhead installations; it has low shrinkage and good dimensional behavior once properly dried; and its clear, knot-free character grades produce a smooth, uniform surface ideal for high-visibility finish work. In its natural state, Ayous is considered non-durable to moderately durable against decay, which is why exterior applications require a quality penetrating finish to protect the wood and extend its service life.
Each board is finished with Cutek Extreme Clear, a penetrating oil specifically formulated to stabilize exterior wood from within. Unlike surface coatings that sit on top of the board and eventually peel, crack, or flake, Cutek carries its oils deep into the wood fibers where they work continuously to reduce moisture movement — the primary cause of cupping, checking, warping, and end-splitting. This is especially important for a species like Ayous, whose natural durability benefits significantly from a stabilizing oil. Because Cutek penetrates rather than films, maintenance requires no sanding or stripping — just clean the surface and reapply when it looks dry. The clear formulation adds no pigment, allowing the Ayous's natural cream-to-honey tone to show through initially before gradually silvering to a soft gray patina if left unmaintained with a colortone.
Because Ayous can react with iron and galvanized fasteners (causing black staining), stainless steel fixings are required for installation. Pre-drilling is also recommended, as the wood can be brittle.
Ideal for architectural siding, feature walls, soffits, porch ceilings, interior paneling, sauna applications, and covered outdoor living areas where a lightweight, workable hardwood with a refined appearance is desired.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Species | Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon) |
| Also Known As | Obeche, African Whitewood, Samba, Wawa; often sold alongside African Mahogany |
| Origin | West and Central Africa |
| Modification | None — natural, kiln-dried |
| Finish | Cutek Extreme Clear (penetrating oil) |
| Finish Type | Oil-based, non-film-forming |
| Color | Natural pale cream to light yellow; darkens slightly with age; accepts stains beautifully to achieve mahogany-like tones |
| Grade | Clear grade available; virtually knot-free |
| Grain / Texture | Straight to slightly interlocked grain; medium-to-coarse texture; good natural luster |
| Janka Hardness | ~440 lbf |
| Average Dried Weight | 23.8 lbs/ft³ (380 kg/m³) — lightweight |
| Specific Gravity | 0.32 (basic), 0.38 (12% MC) |
| Modulus of Rupture | 8,680 lbf/in² |
| Elastic Modulus | 934,000 lbf/in² |
| Shrinkage | Radial 3.1%, Tangential 5.3%, Volumetric 8.7% (T/R ratio 1.7) |
| Natural Durability | Non-durable to moderately durable — finish required for exterior use |
| Workability | Machines and finishes well; sands smoothly; accepts stains and oils evenly |
| Applications | Exterior siding (with finish), feature walls, soffits, porch ceilings, interior paneling, sauna walls/ceilings, millwork, trim |
| Fixings | Stainless steel required — Ayous reacts with iron and galvanized fasteners; pre-drilling recommended |
| Maintenance | Clean and re-oil with Cutek Extreme as needed — no sanding or stripping required |
| Sustainability | FSC-certified options available |
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Our Core Decking Option
Mason’s Mill stocks a broad selection of hardwood species — from classic domestic favorites to exotic and specialty woods. Each offers unique mechanical and aesthetic qualities to meet your design and performance goals.
Premium Wood Decking
Traditional wood decking offers natural warmth and timeless appeal.
Pressure Treated Lumber
Cost-effective and widely available, treated for rot and insect resistance. Best choice where budget and workability matter.
Cedar & Redwood
Classic softwoods with natural decay resistance that weather beautifully with maintenance.
Exotic Hardwoods (Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Machiche)
Dense, long-lasting species with remarkable hardness, natural insect and decay resistance.
Composite Decking
Composite decking blends wood fibers with plastic to create boards that:
Resist moisture, insect attack, and rot
Require minimal staining or refinishing
Offer consistent color and texture across boards
Provide long service life with low upkeep
Because composite decking boards don’t split or crack like traditional wood, they’re popular in climates with high moisture swings or sun exposure.
PVC (Vinyl) Decking
PVC decking is all-plastic and contains no wood fibers, which means:
Exceptional fade and stain resistance
Near-maintenance-free surfaces
Great performance in coastal or high-moisture climates
PVC boards tend to have lighter weight and very smooth, wipe-clean surfaces, making them a strong choice where performance trumps traditional aesthetics.
Decking Accessories
A deck is only as good as the parts that hold it together and refine its performance and comfort. Knowing which accessories matter can be the difference between a good deck and a great one.
Fasteners & Hardware
Quality hardware keeps decking secure and structurally sound.
Hidden Fasteners: Create clean surfaces with no visible screws — ideal for architects and designers who value uninterrupted board lines.
Deck Screws & Structural Fasteners: Essential for framing, railings, and secure fastenings. Corrosion-resistant options ensure long life.
Joist Hangers, Post Bases, Brackets: Critical for strength, safety, and compliance with building codes.
Flashing & Moisture Protection
Proper flashing tape and protective barriers help prevent water intrusion at joist, ledger, and beam connections — a key strategy for extending the life of any deck.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best decking material depends on exposure, design intent, and maintenance expectations. Hardwood decking offers unmatched strength and natural character. Composite decking provides consistent performance with minimal upkeep. PVC decking delivers maximum moisture resistance and long-term color stability. We help architects and builders choose the right system based on climate, usage, and design goals.
Wood decking is a natural material with organic grain and texture that ages beautifully when maintained. Composite decking blends wood fibers and polymers for durability and reduced maintenance. PVC decking contains no wood at all, making it highly resistant to moisture, staining, and fading — ideal for harsh or coastal environments.
Yes. Dense hardwood species like Ipe, Cumaru, and Garapa are naturally resistant to rot, insects, and moisture, allowing them to outlast pressure-treated lumber when properly installed and maintained. They are commonly used in high-end residential and commercial projects where long-term performance matters.
Cutek is a penetrating oil system designed to protect wood from the inside out. It stabilizes moisture movement within the board, helping prevent checking, splitting, cupping, and warping while enhancing natural color. When used on hardwood or softwood decking, Cutek significantly extends service life and reduces maintenance over time.
Absolutely. Many architects specify composite and PVC decking for commercial terraces, multi-family buildings, and modern residential designs because of their clean lines, consistent appearance, and long-term performance. These materials are especially effective where moisture exposure, high traffic, or minimal maintenance is required.
Fasteners, flashing, joist protection, and railing systems all play a major role in deck longevity. Hidden fasteners improve aesthetics, while proper flashing and moisture barriers protect the structure beneath the surface. Mason’s Mill supplies the systems that ensure your deck performs as well as it looks.
No. When properly specified and installed, hidden fastening systems provide excellent holding power while creating a clean, uninterrupted deck surface. They are widely used in both wood and composite decking systems for architectural and high-end residential projects.
Climate plays a major role in material selection. Hardwood and pressure-treated lumber perform well in many environments when protected with products like Cutek. Composite and PVC decking excel in areas with high humidity, frequent rain, or intense sun exposure. Our team helps evaluate site conditions to ensure the best material choice.
Yes. Many of our hardwood decking species are also used in interior millwork, flooring, and wall cladding, allowing for seamless indoor–outdoor transitions — a design strategy frequently used in modern architecture.
We do. Our team works closely with architects, builders, and designers to assist with species selection, milling, finishing, and system coordination — ensuring the materials you specify perform exactly as intended in the field.
Let’s start your deck project today!