The most important part of your process is picking a reputable, licensed, bonded and insured home improvement contracting partner. Make sure you hire a licensed contractor.

Once the foundation is built, 80-90% of the work is done after the frame work is completed.  This leaves the finishing bulk of the job, i.e. the decking, railing, lighting, trim, staining, etc.

All professional deck builders use pressure treated lumber for the posts and framing, and they have to follow the guidelines set by the code.  For your decking and railings you might use Pressure Treated Wood or a Synthetic material made out of wood flour composite or plastic cellulose.    A “Trex” deck or a synthetic/composite deck is referring to the deck boards and the railing.