Material for a deck
 

I am replacing the steps at the front entrance to my home. I am building a deck about 12 x 8 foot and then adding steps at one end. My question is what materials are out there for a deck other than the typical wood? I know that there are composites and other such deck like materials as well as aluminum. I was wondering is there a solid type of material that could be used in northwest Ohio? (extreme cold to extreme heat). For example would ceramic tile be possible? I just like the idea of a solid floor.

I would be wary of creating a ceramic tile deck, complete with grout lines and inflexible tiles, and running it through freeze/thaw cycles.

Eco Flex Recycled rubber decking is pretty cool stuff. Little pricey but ROI is going to be good.

Having just rebuild my front porch, I can that new tongue and groove flooring feels very solid when nailed to non-rotted joists.

As long as you buy the pre primed stuff, and dab the paint wherever you cut, it will outlast you.

I have an aunt that lived in strongsville, and she had the trex. After 5 years, it did not look that great.

The best (most expensive) way is to have a concrete porch poured. $$$$

Nope BRICK $$$$$ :D $15K

I prefer pre-stained/painted wood. The only thing differently is build the deck upside down. All nails and fasteners are now well protected.

I have some friends in Colorado who built a very large deck several years ago and used the composite stuff. With a little age it looks better, and all of the fasteners are hidden. Snow glides off pretty easily and the shovel doesn't damage it. Unless I really wanted a particular look, I wouldn't hesitate to use the composites.

To me tile would be a waste of time outdoors in freezing climates. I doubt it would last through one season. It's more seen in drier, temperate climates. Depending on how you did the steps, you might pour them as concrete and lay single tiles across them (same width as the step's depth). Then you'd only have repairs every few years. ;)

I've used composite and have been happy with it. Planning to redo my front porch with Ipe. The fir tongue and groove started looking bad after 10 yrs of UV and rain/snow.