Have you considered cedar?

No, is it hard to obtain? It should be a close match to cypress, I’d guess. Is it a good option, and long lasting? Thanks!

Ipe is the best natural wood decking you can get, and is comparable in cost to composites. Extremely strong and durable, guaranteed to last up to 75 years. If you use 5/4x6 boards, you can use your existing 24" joist spacing. It's also low-maintenance; you just have to oil it once a year or so to preserve the color, or you can just let it turn gray and never have to touch it.

Chic California Decks & Patios · More Info

Why Fit In When You Were Born to Stand Out? Advantage Ipe™ · More Info

If you let it turn gray:

Buffalo, NY - Ship Canal Gray Ipe · More Info

You can learn more here: https://www.advantagelumber.com/decking2.htm

Ipe! Thank you. That is the exotic that was mentioned to me. Couldn’t recall the name. I wonder if I can get it around here. Also — from your webpage, it looks like you CAN supply cypress decking???

If you can't get it locally, you can order from us online. We're currently offering free shipping on orders over $2500: https://buy.advantagelumber.com/collections/ipe-decking

Black locust is superior to Ipe in a lot of ways. We just had our front porch installed with Black Locust from Black Locust Lumber. You can look at their web site and see how many projects they have completed world wide ! I will link them below. Please get some info before you decided on Ipe. Stubbie and Marie run an amazing company and source their eco friendly wood from all over the world in a sustainable manner Our boards are 12ft long without one single blemish.https://www.blacklocustlumber.com/

Other direction

We used thermally modified ash to replace the floor of a large porch in a 100+ year old house.

https://www.bingamanlumber.com/services/thermal-modifcation.html

If you are interested, I can take pictures.

Wow, so many good options I never knew existed.

Trail runner — gorgeous! — can that be stained? We need something the color of 40 year old cypress. Ha ha.

penfire, I don’t think ash will work, but I’d love to see pics of you have them handy.

AdvantageLumber, your minimum will not be a problem here. Looks like we are not too far from your NC location. Can we pick up cypress or ipe there?

i seriously thank you all.

The ash is very dark so if you are looking to compliment instead of match the cypress.

I’ll take a picture tomorrow

The black locust can be stained using a Sikkins product. It comes un-oiled It will age to grey like your cypress if you look on their website you will see at the Apple Cupertino offices as well as boardwalks the world over that they have supplied the wood for. But if you don't want to wait Sikkins makes a lovely grey. c ps the company is headquartered in Pennsylvania so not far from you. It only took a few days for shipping but it takes 6 weeks after you order to then ship.

The house has been kept a brown color with hints of gold, especially where it gets less sun. Like Cuban tobacco before it gets rolled. The original owner/architect meant it to go gray, I think, then changed his mind and had it treated or stained with something around 2016. I guess I should ask him what that was . . .

"Looks like we are not too far from your NC location. Can we pick up cypress or ipe there?"

Yes, local pickup is an option. I'd advise calling that location directly to place your order if that's what you want to do.

@MizLizzie Sikkins also makes a beautiful un colored finish that imparts a beautiful golden color to the wood. We just used it on our 110 yr old front door . You could try some samples.

I hope you did NOT use Yellawood.

8 years in and my Yellawood substructure (yes, pressure treated) is failing. Black mold and rot, causing stainless screws to back out/not bite. Yellawood team saying not their problem, but I've NEVER seen PT wood fail like this 4 feet off the ground with ventilation. 18 x 36 deck....