Type Of Woods Best For Your Decking Project

The traditional wooden deck is an excellent addition to your home. However, a well-constructed and spacious decking system is not only an excellent for outdoor entertainment, but it also increases value to your property.

In fact, the wooden deck provides a high ROI of around 80%, which is much higher than composite decks. So, if you decide to sell your house at one point, then you can achieve a higher price. However, you must consider the material, as well as the wood you choose.

While the structure is made of pressure-treated timber, the actual decking can be made of plastic, wood, or a composite material, which combines plastic with wood fibers.

But, when it comes to wood, here are three popular choices that you can choose from.

Redwood

Redwood requires continuous maintenance and application of a sealer every now and then. Additionally, it’s more expensive than other types of wood, considering it grows on the West Coast. But, as a decking material, it’s quite stable, as well as resistant.

Due to its stability, redwood looks great longer, while it has little or no resins, which helps retain the impeccable finish. On the other hand, from an environmental standpoint, redwood decking is made of old trees, but recent statistics indicated that supplies are decreasing.

The Government is now trying to slow down the deforestation in the tropics and in the U.S., where supplies are now down to 1%.

Cedar

Cedar is a softwood and has been used for decking for decades. Since it’s resistant to insects and rot, many owners decide to use cedar for their decks. However, some people reported that this wood tends to splinter, considering it’s too soft.

But, you can use it for vertical elements, such as fences, pergolas, and planters. However, cutting 250 years old trees can lead to extinction, which can have a negative impact on the environment.

Pressure-treated timber

Same as the previously mentioned one, pressure-treated timber is insect and rot-resistant, but it’s cheaper than cedar and redwood. Additionally, it’s widely used across the country, and sometimes people use it to build a support system for the decks because it is durable.

However, the problem with pressure-treated timber is that it can be quite unstable, especially the one you buy at a lower price. Warping, shrinking, and twisting is quite common with this type of wood. If you have a chance, you should go for premium lumber that is treated at the mill with water repellents.

Other wooden materials

Teak, ipe, and mahogany are other options you can explore, but they also have pros and cons. While beautiful and long-lasting, mahogany is extremely expensive. Therefore, if you are working on a large decking project, then choosing this type of wood can significantly increase the costs.

However, if you are looking for a bit affordable option, then you can go for teak. It has the same features as mahogany, but it’s not a native tree, and it’s grown on plantations.