4 Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Decking Materials for Your Next Project

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Planning a New Deck? Don’t Let Material Mistakes Delay Your Project

A successful decking project starts long before the first board is installed.

Whether you’re a contractor managing multiple projects or a homeowner preparing for a backyard renovation, choosing and ordering the right decking materials can make a major difference in your project’s cost, timeline, and finished appearance.

Unfortunately, some of the most common decking mistakes happen during the purchasing process.

Ordering the wrong quantities, overlooking board dimensions, or forgetting essential accessories can lead to unexpected expenses, installation delays, and unnecessary material waste.

At Beyond Lumber, we work with contractors, builders, architects, and homeowners to help them find premium outdoor building materials that match their project requirements.

Before placing your next decking order, here are seven common mistakes worth avoiding.

1. Ordering Materials Without Accurate Measurements

One of the most common mistakes when purchasing decking materials is ordering based on rough estimates rather than accurate project measurements. A deck’s total square footage is a helpful starting point, but it doesn’t tell the entire story. Board orientation, deck shape, stair dimensions, picture-frame borders, and cutting requirements can all affect the amount of material needed. For example, a rectangular deck with a straightforward layout may require fewer cuts than a multi-level deck featuring diagonal boards and custom borders.

How to avoid this mistake:

Before ordering, prepare a detailed material takeoff that accounts for the deck’s dimensions, board widths, available lengths, planned layout, and anticipated cutting waste. It’s also important to confirm actual board dimensions rather than relying on nominal measurements. Accurate planning helps minimize unnecessary expenses while reducing the risk of running short during installation.

2. Choosing Decking Materials Based Only on Price

Budget is always an important consideration, but focusing exclusively on the lowest price can lead to disappointing results. Decking materials differ in appearance, durability, maintenance requirements, installation methods, and long-term performance. An inexpensive material might seem appealing initially, but may not offer the characteristics required for your particular outdoor environment. For example, premium hardwoods such as Ipe and Cumaru are often selected for their natural appearance and exceptional density. Composite and PVC decking products, including options from TimberTech and Deckorators, can be attractive alternatives for projects where reduced maintenance is a priority. Thermally modified woods offer additional possibilities for architects and homeowners seeking distinctive natural wood finishes.

How to avoid this mistake:

Evaluate materials based on their suitability for the project rather than price alone. Consider expected exposure conditions, aesthetics, cleaning and maintenance, installation requirements, and total long-term ownership costs. The right material is the one that best balances performance, appearance, and budget.

3. Overlooking the Right Fasteners and Accessories

Decking boards are only one part of a complete decking system. Fasteners, clips, connectors, fascia boards, finishing accessories, and other installation components can all influence the final result. Different decking materials may require different installation methods. For example, certain composite decking profiles are designed for specific hidden-fastener systems, while dense tropical hardwoods may require predrilling and carefully selected corrosion-resistant screws. Using incompatible fastening products can create installation problems and affect long-term performance.

How to avoid this mistake:

Confirm the complete installation requirements for your chosen decking product before placing an order. Review manufacturer specifications and coordinate the accessory list with your installer. Making sure the necessary components are available before construction begins can help prevent avoidable interruptions.

4. Waiting Until the Last Minute to Order

Construction schedules can change quickly, especially when several contractors and trades are involved. Waiting until installation is about to begin before ordering materials can create unnecessary pressure. Specific board lengths, colors, profiles, and product collections may have different inventory levels or lead times. Even when a supplier carries a large selection of in-stock materials, it’s important to confirm availability for the exact items and quantities your project requires.

How to avoid this mistake:

Contact your supplier during the planning stage rather than waiting until construction begins. Confirm stock availability, required quantities, pickup or shipping arrangements, and any special-order requirements. Beyond Lumber serves customers from its Los Angeles-area facility in Gardena and offers nationwide shipping options, making early material coordination especially valuable for projects outside Southern California.

Why Contractors and Homeowners Choose Beyond Lumber

At Beyond Lumber, we believe that choosing the right materials is just as important as creating a great design.

Based in Gardena, California, we supply premium outdoor building materials to contractors, builders, architects, and homeowners across the United States.

Our product selection includes:

Tropical hardwoods: Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Tigerwood, and additional premium species
Composite and PVC decking: Products from recognized brands such as TimberTech, AZEK, Deckorators, and Trex
Thermally modified wood: Contemporary natural wood options for decking and architectural applications
Exterior siding and cladding: Materials for residential and commercial design
Fencing materials and outdoor accessories: Products for complete outdoor projects

Our Gardena showroom also allows customers to compare materials and explore their options before making a purchase.

Whether you’re sourcing materials for a small backyard renovation or a larger construction project, our team is here to help simplify the purchasing process.