Every deck we build in Baltimore County, Howard County, or down toward Pasadena lives through the same weather: humid summers, wet springs, and winters that freeze and thaw a dozen times. The material you choose decides how much of your future weekends go to maintenance.
Pressure-treated wood is the lower upfront cost. It's strong, it looks like real wood because it is, and a well-built wood deck lasts fifteen years or more. The trade-off is maintenance: cleaning and re-staining every two to three years, and replacing boards that check, cup, or splinter.
Composite decking costs more per board but almost nothing per year after that. Modern capped composites resist fading, staining, and moisture, don't splinter, and clean with soap and water. Over a fifteen-year life, most of our clients come out ahead on total cost, and they never spend a Saturday staining.
Our usual recommendation: a pressure-treated frame, which is the right choice regardless, topped with composite decking and railings if the budget allows. Whichever you choose, the framing, footings, and ledger flashing are what actually keep the deck standing, and we build those the same way every time.