Maybe it’s just hard for people to see past year one on a spreadsheet.
That’s exactly it—most folks just can’t get past that initial sticker shock, even if the numbers make sense long-term. I’ve run into the same pushback with high-end finishes that actually save money over time. Out of curiosity, has anyone actually tracked maintenance costs on thermally modified pine vs. something like ipe or composite? I keep hearing claims, but never see real data. And about mixing materials—does it ever end up looking too patchwork, or can you actually pull off a cohesive vibe?
I totally get the hesitation—seeing that big upfront cost can be a gut-check, even when the math works out later. I’ve actually tried to compare upkeep on thermally modified pine and composite for my last project, but the numbers were all over the place. Some years, weather just wrecked the finish, other years, barely a scratch. As for mixing materials, I worried it’d look like a patchwork quilt, but with a good designer it turned out surprisingly cohesive... though maybe not everyone’s cup of tea. Sometimes you just have to trust the process (and cross your fingers a little).
Mixing materials can be tricky, but when it works, it really works—sometimes the quirks actually make the space feel more lived-in. I’m curious, did you end up sealing the pine every year, or just let it weather naturally? I’ve seen both approaches and they give such different vibes.
I totally get what you mean about the quirks making things feel more lived-in. I actually let my pine weather naturally the first year, just to see how it’d age. It got this silvery look that I kinda liked, but honestly, it started looking a bit too rough after a while. Ended up sealing it the next spring—felt like a good middle ground. Mixing materials is always a gamble, but sometimes those weird combos end up being the best part of the space.
I get the appeal of letting wood age naturally, but I’ve seen too many projects where it just ends up looking neglected instead of intentional. Sometimes those “quirks” cross the line into just plain messy, you know? Mixing materials can work, but it’s a fine line between eclectic and chaotic. I guess it depends on how much risk you’re willing to take with your space.
