What is Pressure-Treated Wood: The Basics

Best Decking Materials for Your Yard Jump into this comprehensive guide to discover the best composite decking profiles. We reveal the secrets behind solid, scalloped, grooved, and hollow profiles, detailing their differences in purpose, design, size, material availability, and warranty. Cedar is commonly regarded as a higher-quality wood for decks compared to pressure-treated lumber. This natural wood gradually weathers into a soft gray tone over the years. It’s lightweight and easy to work with, which makes it great for DIY projects. The Forest Stewardship Council (us.fsc.org) does its level best to monitor how exotics are managed and certifies producers who harvest responsibly. Even so, some deck experts are doubtful of anything harvested offshore and prefer the known provenance of North American woods. You’ll be able to open the exterior door of your home and step directly onto your deck. Consider how you want your deck to look and what you plan to use it for.

An entryway deck, often situated at the front of a residence, expands the outdoor living area towards the street, providing an inviting space.Often made from southern pine, a wood variety known for its load-bearing strength and durability, pressure treated materials can be the best wood for decking in high-traffic spaces.Redwood is a tight-grained wood that’s red to dark red in color.Proper drainage solutions will also need to be implemented to prevent water damage and erosion.

Outdoor Structures (Like Decks & Docks!)

Wood decking remains a popular choice among homeowners due to its classic look and natural feel. However, before you dive into installing wood decking in your backyard oasis, it’s essential to weigh both the pros and cons. As mentioned earlier, maintaining a deck can be a daunting task but choosing the right material can make all the difference in terms of upkeep requirements. Two of the most popular types of deck materials are wood and composite. From pressure treated lumber to more exotic hardwoods, wood decking gives you a variety of styles to choose from. Depending on your location and availability of certain woods, the cost of wood decking can vary. Another popular option that affords homeowners an array of colors and styles to choose from is durable composite decking. Composite decking is made from a combination of wood pulp and synthetic materials covered with a synthetic shell. Historically, the softwoods used for decking were logged from old growth forests. These include Atlantic white cedar, redwood, and western red cedar (redcedar). Atlantic City built the first coastal boardwalk in the United States, originally constructed of the Atlantic white cedar.

UltraDeck Decking Reviews

From obtaining necessary permits to sourcing materials and completing the project itself, there are many steps involved in building a deck. With experienced contractors handling these tasks, you can rest assured that everything will be done efficiently and effectively. Budget considerations are often a primary factor for those considering a DIY deck installation. However, it’s essential not to sacrifice safety precautions or quality control in an attempt to cut costs. If you’re looking for DIY installation tips, consider using solar-powered lights or low-voltage wiring options for easy setup without the need for professional electrical work.

Pros and Cons of Composite Decking

Within the broad category of wood decking, there are many options to consider. Proponents of composite decking tout it as a much-needed development, as it helps to curb logging of trees for new decks. However, composite decking contains harmful chemicals, cannot be refurbished, and despite claims from decking companies, some composite decking still attracts mold. Composite decking has gained https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11D2p7YCAzVKMHnEnTiy1USf0Hq7AnpDinLqJvo7-rqc/edit?slide=id.p#slide=id.p popularity in the past decade as a low-maintenance alternative to wood. Made from a blend of recycled plastic and wood fibers, composite decking offers the look of wood without the upkeep. It’s more expensive than regular wood, and it’s also heavier, so there are several cons. However, it is worth noting that Ipe is the most expensive wood option available. The cost of building a deck will vary based on the materials you chose to use, Cosby says. Cost is an important factor when you are thinking about deck material. Proper techniques and tools must be utilized during installation to minimize maintenance requirements later on. As you house hunt, you might be wondering what distinguishes a deck from other types of outdoor structures such as porches, patios, and lanais. These experts explain the differences and have some advice on how to get the most out of a deck, if you decide to add one to your property. Fully repairing a deck, especially if structural repairs are necessary, is usually best left to professionals. If you try, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for any joist hangers, connectors, and screws or nails that you install. Similar to pressure-treated wood, cedar requires regular maintenance. But if you select quality cedar and provide annual refinishing, you can expect your cedar deck to outperform standard pressure-treated wood decking. In general, the word “composite” means different materials combined to create a new finished product. Composite decking is made from a blend of plastic and wood fibers.