Composite decking colors have come a long way. To keep up with design trends and provide customers more variety, decking manufacturers now offer a vast assortment of hues and grains. However, this range of choices can be confusing for homeowners struggling to find the perfect tone and texture for their deck.

Settling on the “right” color is mainly a matter of personal taste. Here are a few suggestions for choosing composite decking that will enhance the beauty of and add value to your home and withstand the test of time, so you’ll enjoy it well into the future.

Use Decking Colors to Complement Your Home Design

Your deck should complement your home’s overall look and create a sense of harmony.

Begin by considering the dominant color family feautred on your home’s exteriors. Are the colors mainly warm with red or orange undertones, or cooler colors with blue or green hues? Warm colors pair well with deep browns and burgundies while cooler colors shine against lighter grays or tans.

Once you’ve identified whether your home exteriors lean towards warm or cool tones, you can narrow your color choices to options within the same family. That doesn’t mean you have to match the color exactly.

“Balance is key,” advises MoistureShield Senior Brand Manager Molly Werner. “Don’t be afraid to experiment with contrasting colors.

“You can create impactful designs by using contrasts to your advantage. Mix dark and light colors or dark browns with blondes! You can even create an `area rug’ effect, starburst design or border using contrasting colors.”

Also consider the architectural style of your home, according to Blythe Yost, CEO and co-founder of Tilly, an online landscape design company. “Are you more traditional or more transitional?” she asks. “Traditional decking tends to be browner, more contemporary selections are grayer.”

Consider Your Location

Also consider your wider geographic location. If you live in a thickly wooded area, like New England or the Pacific Northwest, composite decking with deep brown or reddish hues will blend well with the surrounding vegetation. For coastal homes in Florida or California, light honey or driftwood-gray shades capture a beachy, nautical vibe that perfectly fits the oceanfront.

Remember, too, that darker colors retain more heat under direct sunlight. These tones are not a good choice for warm, sunny climates where deck temperatures can reach 160 degrees F, according to research by MoistureShield.

“If you are looking at a dark brown decking option in a southern application, be sure you have ample shade to offset the heat,” Yost says. “Alternatively, the lighter options can be almost reflective in the sun and make for an overly bright space.”