Best Wood Deck Board Materials
- Pressure Treated Wood Deck Boards. Pressure treated wood is the classic low-cost deck board. ...
- Ipe Wood Deck Boards. ...
- Redwood Deck Boards. ...
- Red Cedar Wood Deck Boards. ...
- Hem-Fir Wood Deck Boards. ...
- Pallet Wood Deck Boards. ...
What size wood board is best for building decks?
Mar 20, 2022 · Redwood, cedar, and cypress, as well as the exotic species are good choices, but since most decking boards from domestic woods are sapwood and not rot resistant, you should treat them. Wood Materials The three common choices when it comes to wood decks are redwood, cedar and pressure-treated wood that can be made of various types of wood species. …
What is the best wood for deck boards?
If you prefer a natural look, cedar is one of the best decking materials on the market. Cedar is a soft yet very durable wood. It adjusts to moisture in the air around it, making it less likely to warp or crack during colder temperatures. Cedar decking pros: Resists moisture, rot and insects Easy to seal or stain surfaces
What is the best and reasonably priced decking product?
Oct 24, 2017 · Redwood, cedar, and cypress, as well as the exotic species, are good choices, but since most decking boards from domestic woods are sapwood and not rot-resistant, you should treat them. For the deck surface, you can use 2x4s, 2x6s, or 5/4x6s.
What is the best material for outdoor decking?
Sep 28, 2020 · Using cedar may cut down on maintenance issues that can come up over time and will often add years of life to a deck. Redwood Redwood, another premium deck wood, is easy to work with, naturally...
What is the best decking boards to use?
Enthusiasts of natural wood prefer hardwood decking because it is widely available, strong, lightweight, and has a naturally attractive colour that makes for a beautiful deck. The wood has naturally occurring oils and tannins that are resistant to insects and rot.Aug 1, 2019
How do I choose deck boards?
There are 2 factors that play into determining your required (or ideal) board thickness: Wood strength and joist spacing. Let's start with strength. Different decking products and wood species have different strengths. Soft trees such as pressure treated pine and western red cedar are weaker woods.
What is the best thickness for deck boards?
16” on center = Standard for residential decking applications. 12” on center is recommended for a sturdier underfoot feel, when using standard deck board thickness of 1”. 24” on center = Sometimes used for commercial applications such as docks and boardwalks; wider joist spacing requires greater deck board thickness.Sep 16, 2021
What is the most common deck board size?
Width: Six-inch wide boards are ideal in most cases. Four inch wide material takes longer to install, creates more gaps and requires a lot more fasteners—but you can use it. Eight inch wide boards, because of their greater width, have more of a tendency to crack and cup; avoid using them.Feb 3, 2022
Should deck joists be 2x6 or 2x8?
For upper-level decks, 2x10 is recommended as the minimum size to use for strong guard post connections. 2x6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards.
Can I use 1x6 for decking?
Never use 1x6 or 5/4x6 material in close to ground applications. Spacing between boards: You must allow space for your deck boards to expand when they take on moisture, as they will inevitably do when exposed to wet weather, rain or high humidity.
Should deck boards be spaced?
Proper deck board spacing should have a 1/8-inch gap after the decking has dried out. If you install your decking using wet boards, pressure-treated decking that has not yet dried out, then you should install them with no gap as a gap will be created as they dry and shrink. Deck spacing isn't anything to take lightly.
What size should deck boards be?
Deck boards are typically 12 or 16 feet long, about an inch thick, and roughly 5-½ inches wide - though wider or narrower boards are a growing trend in deck design. New looks are forming around multi-width deck boards: extra-wide boards and extra-narrow boards that you can combine for eye-catching deck board patterns.Nov 13, 2020
What is the most expensive decking material?
Hardwood Boards. More expensive than pressure-treated timber, hardwood decking boards are sourced from tropical trees. They are naturally resistant to warping, splitting & rot; but they do still require regular maintenance. Widely considered as one of the most beautiful decking materials. High Cost.
How long do PVC deck boards last?
You’ll likely get the longest life from either capped composite boards, or PVC plastics which contain zero wood & therefore won’t degrade in outdoor weather. Wood-plastic composites are claimed to last over 25 years while the manufacturers of PVC decking claim the boards can last up to 40 years with very little maintenance.
Why pressure treated hardwood?
One of the reasons pressure-treated softwoods are so popular (aside from their affordability) is the fact they are so easy to work with during installation. It is incredibly versatile & can be cut & fastened with incredible ease. However if it’s easy installation you’re looking for, you might want to look into the custom fastening systems which are available with more premium builds. Many hardwood, composite & PVC decking structures offer these systems as standard & help make the installation much easier as the boards simply click into place with joist fasteners.
What is composite board made of?
Made-up of a wood-flour & recycled plastic mixture; composite boards are the new guys on the block! Most composites use a capped exterior to protect against mold, insects & moisture – making them incredibly low-maintenance. Many retailers are so confident in the product that they offer lifespan guarantees.
Is it hard to beat hardwood decking?
The look & feel of your deck is of course a matter of personal opinion – what looks good to one person might not look so great to another. But most experts agree that hardwood decking boards are difficult to beat for their natural allure, deep warm colours and their beautiful surface textures.
Is PVC decking made of plastic?
Similar in character istics to composites, PVC decking is made solely from plastic. This means it is incredibly low-maintenance as it will not warp or split like wooden alternatives. However it is one of the most expensive options & can sometimes look quite artificial.
Does PVC decking have a downside?
Like all options, PVC does have its downsides, though. We recommend doing your research & making a choice to suit your personal circumstances. You can always look to offset the carbon emissions caused by your build separately & look into proper disposal of your leftover decking materials.
Wood Decking vs. Composite Decking
Before deciding on a specific decking material, first decide whether you want natural wood decking boards or composite decking boards.
Cedar Decking
If you prefer a natural look, cedar is one of the best decking materials on the market. Cedar is a soft yet very durable wood. It adjusts to moisture in the air around it, making it less likely to warp or crack during colder temperatures.
Redwood Decking
Redwood is a tight-grained wood that’s red to dark red in color. It weathers to a yellowish-gray or gray color. Some redwoods will turn black over time when exposed to water, so consider applying a sealant.
Pressure Treated Decking
Pressure treated lumber can give you many years of use and enjoyment of your deck. 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.
Composite Wood Decking
Composite decking looks a lot like natural wood and comes in a wide variety of colors. It is made of recycled wood fibers and plastics. Choose from our in-stock or custom composite decking boards, which both come with extended warranties against cracking, splitting, fading and more.
Plastic Decking
Unlike wood, plastic decking requires little maintenance and can keep a uniform look for many years. Nearly all plastic decking is a type of composite decking. Plastic composite decking combines wood fibers with a durable plastic film.
PVC Decking
Also called vinyl decking, PVC decking boards are a popular synthetic choice for busy spaces where pets and kids spend time. Unlike composite decking, vinyl decking is entirely synthetic and doesn’t include any wood material.
What is the best material for deck flooring?
Wood is often the most cost-effective and efficient material for creating deck flooring. Wood looks great, weathers well, spans wide joist distances, and is easily available. Natural wood's closest contenders, composite wood and PVC, are very durable and friendly to bare feet. But they are expensive and have short joist spans.
What is the lowest cost decking board?
Except for pallet wood, untreated hem-fir is the lowest cost wood decking board. Because it is strong, it has a great joist distance span. If a painted solid color is what you want in a deck, you can choose a wood like hem-fir. Preservation of hem-fir is difficult.
What is pallet wood?
No longer confined to shipping bays, trendy pallet wood can be found everywhere now, from restaurants to residences. Wood pallets are constructed of softwoods and are usually considered expendable by their recipients. Because pallets are often left outside after use, they achieve an interesting silvery-gray weathered patina with rusty nail marks and other signs of distress.
What woods are good for termites?
Softwoods like Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Southern Yellow Pine, and Ponderosa Pine easily decay and provide an attractive food source to termites and carpenter ants. Forcing the preservative copper azole, type C (CA-C) into the wood transforms it into a useless food source for bugs and wards off fungi. Pressure treated wood boards are easy to obtain ...
What is pressure treated wood?
Pressure treated wood is the classic low-cost deck board. Pressure treated wood in longer lengths (10 feet or greater) and wider widths (6 inches or greater) can work as an effective deck board, but with a few limitations.
Is hem fir a cross breed?
Hem-fir is not a species cross-breed. Western hemlock and Amabilis fir grow in the same forests and look nearly identical, so lumber mills process them together and treat them as interchangeable. When you see a stack of hem-fir at your local home center, some boards may be hemlock and others fir.
Can pallets be left outside?
Because pallets are often left outside after use, they achieve an interesting silvery-gray weathered patina with rusty nail marks and other signs of distress. Pallet wood is best confined to walls, as the inevitable splinters, holes, and protrusions make it an uncomfortable, unsafe walking surface.
What size decking should I use for a 5/4 deck?
For the deck surface, you can use 2x4s, 2x6s, or 5/4x6s. The 5/4 decking (pronounced "five-quarter"), available in cedar and pressure-treated fir, is 1 inch thick and 5-1/2 inches wide with rounded edges that make for a splinter-free surface. Cedar 1x lumber usually has one rough side and one smooth side.
How wide is a 2x10 deck?
An untreated 2x10 will measure 9-1/4 inches, a PT 2x10 may only be 9-1/8 inches wide. Decking and railings: These are the most visible parts of your deck, so you'll want to use the best lumber you can afford.
What type of wood is used for framing?
For example, the type of wood typically used for framing is different than lumber for decking and railings. Before you begin building a deck, it's important to get acquainted with the different types of decking lumber, including domestic woods and exotic species.
What is lumber grade stamp?
A lumber grade stamp will indicate the quality of the stock and note its moisture content. For framing, air-dried lumber is adequate. Use S-dry or MC-15 lumber for decking and rails. Grade stamps differ from species to species, and board markings differ from dimension lumber stamps.
How long should I let lumber dry before building a deck?
If your lumber is not kiln-dried, let it dry for several weeks.
What is pressure treated lumber?
Pressure-treated lumber (PT), usually pine or fir, is infused with chemicals that make it extremely rot-resistant. The chemicals also give the wood a green or brown cast, which you can hide with stain or paint or let weather to a dark gray. Pressure-treated lumber is the least expensive, but you'll have to choose carefully to get stock that is straight and free of loose knots.
How deep should I use lumber for ground contact?
Look for a grade stamp that says "ground contact" or indicates a treatment depth of 0.40 or greater. Some pressure-treated species are less porous than others, so they're incised before being treated.
What wood is best for a deck?
Redwood. Redwood, another premium deck wood, is easy to work with, naturally decay- and insect-resistant, and rugged enough to avoid warping, checking, and splitting.
What type of wood is used for outdoor decking?
There are many wood species that can be used for outdoor decks, but not all offer the same benefits and maintenance requirements, and price and availability vary by region. As Bob Mion, of the California Redwood Association, points out, “In the Southeast you’ll find lots of Southern yellow pine; in the North Central Midwest, ...
Why is cedar wood hardy?
This hardiness is due to the fact that cedarwood will actually change its moisture content to closely match the atmosphere.
How long does redwood decking last?
Premium woods like red cedar and redwood offer comparable levels of durability and longevity, lasting an average of 20 years. Both woods are naturally resistant to shrinking and warping.
What is the difference between cedar and redwood?
Both woods are naturally resistant to shrinking and warping. The primary difference between the two woods is color: Redwoods range from light to dark red, while cedar hues run from light brown to salmon pink. Advertisement. Photo: southernpinedecks.com.
Can you use redwood for a deck on Cape Cod?
You can certainly use redwood for a deck on Cape Cod—if you pay to ship it there. Now that you know that where you live and how much you can afford to spend will probably be the deciding factors, here are the most common natural-wood choices for deck building:
Is Southern Yellow Pine a good wood?
When pressure-tre ated, Southern yellow pine is durable, strong, and environmentally friendly. It’s worth noting that in 2003, when high toxicity was discovered in pressure-treated wood, new regulations were established.
How thick is a deck board?
There is a nominal thickness and then an actual thickness. The most popular thickness for decking boards in North America is a 5/4 thickness which is an actual 1” thick. Use the table below to understand the most common board thicknesses:
What is composite decking made of?
One of the most popular options for homeowners in the past 20 years has been composite decking, made of modified plastics and other materials. They made a splash in the market for their variety of colors and affordability, but over time the downsides have become more well-known.
What is joist spacing?
Joists are typically spaced out evenly for stability, ease of board installation and a clean look. Joist spacing is the distance between each joist, and are measured in inches from center-of-joist to center-of-joist. Joist spacing is typically referred to as “On-Center” or “OC”, e.g, 16” OC. The bigger the space between the joists, ...
Why are deck joists set upright?
They are set upright for strength, usually fastened to the house at one end, and sitting on top of a central support beam near the other end. Joists support the decking boards, which are fastened onto the joists from above. Joists are typically spaced out evenly for stability, ease of board installation and a clean look.
What is the MOR for decking?
Sometimes referred to as bending strength, MOR is a measure of a product’s strength before it ruptures (break s).
Can you put bare feet on composite decking?
Today, many people are aware of the environmental hazards of using chemicals and plastics, as well as the heat absorption problem with composite decking — No bare feet allowed! But one of the lesser-known drawbacks is that they are very weak, and require joists to be placed very close together.
Is decking board stronger than joists?
The wider your joist spacing, the stronger decking board you need. Within a given wood species or decking product, the thicker the board, the stronger it becomes, relatively speaking. Conversely, the stronger your decking board, (based on MOR and thickness), the wider the joist spacing you can afford. One of the most popular options ...
What wood should I use for decking?
When Buying Cedar or Redwood Decking, Select Decking Boards Cut From Heartwood. Heartwood contains the natural preservative oils that give these woods their resistance to decay and insect attack. Heartwood in these species is the darker core of the tree.
What type of lumber should I use for a deck?
Pressure-treated lumber is the logical choice for the structural part of your deck—the posts, joists, beams and other members you normally don't see. Pressure-treated lumber can support more weight and span longer distances than cedar, redwood or other woods commonly used for building decks.
How thick should I use for deck joists?
In most cases, it requires a joist spacing of 16 in. for proper support. If your joists are spaced at 24 in. or you're running your deck boards at a diagonal, you may need to use 2-by (1-1/2 in. thick) boards. Avoid boards that are only 3/4 in. thick. They have a wimpy feel underfoot even with closer joist spacing.
Why do deck boards shrink when they dry?
The extra weight makes wet decking boards harder to work and to cut, and they shrink when they dry. This means joists can “rise up” out of their hangers, making them bouncier and less well supported. Fasteners can loosen and your deck can wind up with uneven and unsightly wide gaps between the boards.
What is pressure treated lumber?
Pressure-treated lumber is rated according to the pounds of preservative retained per cubic foot of wood; the higher the number, the better the protection against fungi and insect attack. Select decking boards with the preservative concentration suitable for their use.
What is the least expensive deck board?
Treated lumber is the least expensive. Composite deck boards: Composite boards are made from wood and plastic (often recycled materials) and resist rot and insect attack. Since there are no defects, there is very little waste, and many now come in a variety of colors. They have their drawbacks, however.
How long does it take for decking boards to dry?
You can “sticker” the wood and let it dry for a few weeks. For decking boards, look for wood that's labeled KDAT (kiln dried after treatment).
What type of screws are used for a redwood deck?
Galvanized screws work well with pressure-treated decking, while Redwood or Western Red Cedar decks are usually built with stainless steel screws to prevent staining around the screw heads.
What type of screws are used for Trex?
The new man-made decking materials, such as Trex® polymer wood, can be fastened with either galvanized-steel, ceramic-coated or stainless steel screws. Tropical wood decking, such as Ipe, Pau Lope™ or Teak, is generally fastened with stainless steel screws for virtually a lifetime of maintenance-free service.
What is the best deck screw length?
Standard green or brown coated screws are the cheapest. A 3” length deck screws are preferable to 2.5” as they hold better.
What is hidden decking?
Hidden deck screws are just that – hidden. These are brand-specific screws that work in tandem with a jig or bracket. Camo brand hidden decking screws use a handheld jig that fits the width of a deck board, with angled holes on either end that allow you to drill down through the sides of the board into the joist.
What is structural screw?
Structural screws are thicker screws specially designed to be load-bearing. That means these screws can be used in place of nails when attaching joists to ledger boards, beams to joists, and for railing posts.
How far do screws go into wood?
After the gauge or diameter, the next number listed on a package of screws is the length. A common rule of thumb is that a screw needs to go at least halfway into the wood beneath the piece you are attaching.
What is a lag bolt?
Lag bolts are a tried and tested method to affix two pieces of lumber in shear force applications. These bolts typically have a hexagonal head and are at least ¼” in diameter. However, unlike a typical bolt, a lag bolt has a pointed end like a screw.
What does "deck" mean on a screw?
Many deck screws will not have the thread size listed, as the term “deck” usually indicates a coarser thread. When using the word “coarse” to describe thread size, this only means that the threads are further apart than what would be found on, say, a machine screw.
What is the size of a deck screw?
For deck screws, you are likely looking at either 8 or 10 gauge screws. To be specific, 8 gauge roughly equals a diameter of 4 mm. If using structural wood screws, then you’ll likely be using ¼” diameter screws.
