Cedar, Composite, or Aluminum? Choosing Dock Decking for Tennessee Lakes

Decking is the part of the dock you touch every time you walk out to the boat. It’s also the material that takes the most abuse from UV, wake spray, fishing tackle, and bare feet. The choice you make shapes how the dock looks, feels, and ages.

Three decking families dominate lakefront docks on Old Hickory and Percy Priest. Each has a real case for it, and a real case against it. Here’s how to pick the one that fits your priorities.

Cedar

Western red cedar is the traditional dock material on Tennessee lakes. Properly milled, properly fastened, properly sealed, it weathers beautifully and feels great underfoot.

Pros

• Natural look that fits the lake
• Cooler underfoot in direct sun than most synthetic decking
• Can be sanded and refinished over its life
• Lower up-front cost than premium composites

Cons

• Requires periodic sealing or staining to perform long-term
• Splinters can develop as boards age
• Susceptible to rot if water sits in low spots
• Color shifts to silver-gray if left untreated — some homeowners love this, some don’t

Composite

Composite decking — wood-fiber and plastic blends, or fully PVC — has become the most common choice for higher-end new builds on these lakes.

Pros

• Very low maintenance — no annual sealing
• Doesn’t splinter, doesn’t rot, doesn’t check
• Wide color and finish options
• Strong long-term value if you plan to keep the home

Cons

• Higher up-front cost than cedar
• Some lower-end composites can get hot in direct summer sun
• Cheap composite can fade unevenly or feel slick when wet
• Color and grain choices that mimic wood look great at first; how they age varies by manufacturer

Aluminum

Aluminum dock decking — planks or extruded panels — is the growing third option, especially on heavier-built lifts and floating systems.

Pros

• Will not rot, splinter, or warp
• Lightweight, which helps float performance
• Excellent in wet/spray-prone conditions
• Long lifespan with minimal maintenance

Cons

• Can get hot in direct sun — pick finishes designed for solar reflection
• Different look and feel than traditional wood
• Higher up-front cost than entry composites
• Less “classic” lakefront aesthetic for some homeowners

How to Decide

Start with how you actually use the dock:

• Pick cedar if you like the natural look, you’re comfortable with periodic maintenance, and you want the most affordable entry into a real dock.
• Pick composite if you want low maintenance, modern appearance, and you’re building for the long haul.
• Pick aluminum if performance, weight, and lifespan matter more than a classic wood aesthetic — common on premium floating systems.

One Caveat: Mixed Materials

It’s common to mix decking by zone — cedar on the main dock walking surface, aluminum on the gangway, composite on the swim platform. A good builder helps you pick by function, not just preference.

What Matters More Than the Material

Honestly: fastener choice, framing quality, and proper drainage matter at least as much as the deck itself. A cedar deck on a properly engineered frame outlasts a composite deck nailed onto bad framing. The material you choose is the surface. The build underneath it is what determines how it ages.