For several years we've had a garden table that consists of a metal frame (which seems to be of high quality --- no signs of corrosion) with a three-strip wooden top: solid down the sides, and with square holes and tile inserts in the middle. We put a garden table cover (box-shaped tarp, basically) over it for the first winter, and it trapped humidity and made the top mouldy, so I sanded & varnished it, & left it open the next winter. The side strips are still intact, but the middle one (because of the inserts) has rotted through in places.
I thought the best material to use for a replacement top would be decking boards, because the table sits on the deck which is about the same age & in great condition, but the planning committee doesn't want the table to look like some fool and/or cheapskate has covered it with decking.
Suggestions?