Mahogany & Hardwood Decks on Long Island

When you want real wood — wood that ages, wood with grain and depth no composite can fake — premium tropical hardwoods are the answer. Red Balau, Ipe, and Cumaru run 3–4 times harder than cedar, naturally resist insects and rot, and carry a 25–40 year lifespan when oiled once every 2–3 years.

We hand-pick every board. We predrill and countersink every fastener. We use marine-grade stainless on everything — the same screws used on dockside construction. Two coats of Penofin or Messmer's UV oil go on the day we finish. The deck is photograph-ready the day we hand over the keys.

Western Red Cedar is the old-school Long Island deck. Naturally insect- and rot-resistant, clear grade only, with that recognizable red-amber tone. Left unfinished it weathers to a silver patina in 18–24 months — some homeowners love it, others oil it annually to keep the color.

Cedar costs less than mahogany and frames beautifully for pergolas, railings, and built-ins that match a cedar deck. We use kiln-dried clear cedar only — no knots, no sapwood, no greenwood twist.