Today we went to a few stores and looked at various brands of composite . We decided to get lunch and as we are eating I ask my wife so what do you think ? She replies the composite looks too plasticey I would rather have wood deck boards . OK decision made

I will start tear up tomorrow.
We picked up several pamphlets on different brands of exterior stain . There is something new to me called semi solid stain . Obviously it is between semi transparent and solid . Sue really liked how that looked . I may not be able to stain until spring as the pressure treated boards will have to dry out . So we have time for that decision . I will definitely do some test pieces before going full bore
Thanks to everyone that gave opinions , it was helpful .