The Different Types of Wood Used in a Wood Deck

wood deck

A wood deck can be a great addition to your home. However, the type of wood used has a significant impact on care needs and longevity.

Cedar is the preferred choice due to its durability, moisture resistance, and a natural ability to seal. It is also easy to find at local lumber yards.

Pressure Treated

For the budget-minded, wood decking made of pressure-treated lumber is a practical and durable option. It resists rot and can last 40 years or more, although you’ll need to refinish it every other year or so.

Pressure treated wood is a renewable resource that can be re-grown with holistic, sustainable forest management practices. It can also be recycled after its useful life in applications like electric poles and railroad ties.

The most common treated wood is pine, spruce, and fir framing lumber that’s encapsulated behind sheathing and siding in structures like homes, garages, sheds, and barns. It’s treated with different chemicals, most commonly ammonia copper quaternary (ACQ). The copper in these chemical treatments prevents breakdown by insects and fungi.

While economical and durable, treated wood has several drawbacks. For one, the swells and shrinkages of treated boards can make them warp, making them more difficult to work with. This can be remedied with water-repellant sealers and mildewcide cleaners.

Redwood & Cedar

Both redwood and cedar are natural weather-resistant woods with an eye-catching appearance. Both have distinct characteristics and benefits, so it ultimately comes down to deciding which option fits your aesthetic preferences, project budget, and product availability.

Cedar is pitch- and resin-free, making it more receptive to tinted stains or natural finishes. It also tends to cost less than redwood. Cedar is very durable and resists moisture and decay, as well as rot and insect infestation.

Redwood’s heartwood contains natural tannins, which offer it a natural resistance to wood-boring insects and weathering without the use of preservative chemicals. Redwood offers several grades of lumber to match your needs and project requirements, including premium heart clear for the most beautiful look, deck heart for a more economical option, and construction heart for a deck that will contain some knots. Cedar also offers a variety of grain patterns, including tight, uniform, and loose knots. All of these options are much lighter in weight than treated woods and workable with regular tools, as well as being very strong.

Tropical Hardwood

Hardwoods such as ipe, cumaru and garapa are prized for their beauty and durability. Their density allows them to resist mold and rot better than softwoods, and their natural colors don’t fade as quickly as those of softwoods. They are also fire-resistant and have an impressive strength-to-weight ratio.

However, these species can be pricey. Fortunately, there are several viable alternatives that offer similar durability and beauty at less cost. Jatoba, Bangkirai and Cumaru are all exceptional hardwoods that perform well when used for decking.

When installing any type of hardwood, it is critical to use stainless steel screws and carbide-tipped saw blades. Also, be sure to use a penetrating oil to protect the wood from sun exposure and moisture. Finally, look for decking marked with the Forest Stewardship Council logo to ensure that you are not contributing to deforestation. This certification program limits clear-cutting and other destructive practices, encourages reforestation and promotes sustainable forestry. Moreover, it enables buyers to purchase wood that has been certified as being harvested through environmentally responsible means.

Alternatives

With the national wood shortage, you might want to consider alternatives to traditional wooden decks. The good news is that new options are nearly maintenance-free and look similar to real wood.

Composite and PVC decking use a mix of wood flour or other recycled plastics and polymers to create the appearance of wood, but are resistant to mold, mildew, and rot. They are also water-resistant and easy to clean. Some are available with a textured surface that’s less slippery than smooth surfaces. They’re fastened with screws and can be cut and drilled like wood. Surface penetrations from screw holes tend to seal tight over time.

If you do go with treated lumber, choose a premium grade that’s kiln dried and ideally knot-free. Plan on using a sturdy board straightening tool during installation and discarding any seriously warped boards. Treat with a water-repellent preservative to prevent cupping, checking, and surface weathering. Avoid treating with copper-based preservatives because they’re corrosive to aluminum and metal.



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