what wood is best for outdoor decking

The Best Woods For Outdoor Decks

• Pressure-treated Wood The most budget-friendly outdoor deck material is pressure-treated wood. ...
• Cedar Cedar may be a softwood, but it’s one of the best woods for decking you can have. ...
• Redwood Another softwood frequently used for outdoor decks is redwood. ...
• Tropical Hardwoods Mahogany, ipe, and tigerwood are some of the more popular options for decking as well. ...
• Consult a local ...

Full Answer

What is the best material for an outdoor deck?

What Is The Best Material For An Outdoor Deck?

• Pressure-Treated Wood. Currently, pressure-treated wood is the most popular decking material in the United States, with pressure-treated wood being utilized in around 75% of new decks.
• Concrete. ...
• Tropical Hardwood. ...
• Composite. ...
• Cedar. ...
• Aluminum. ...

What are the best outdoor decking materials?

Types of Deck Material Options

1. Pressure-Treated Wood. Among the various types of wood decking, pressure-treated lumber is the most common. ...
2. Cedar Decking. Cedar is commonly regarded as a higher-quality material than pressure-treated lumber. ...
3. PVC Decking. ...
4. Composite Decking. ...
5. Hardwoods. ...

What is the best wood for building a deck?

What’s the Best Wood For Decks?

• Pressure-Treated Wood. There are plenty of valid reasons for the popularity of pressure-treated lumber such as southern yellow pine.
• Cedar and Redwood. For those who consider themselves purists, you might opt for western softwoods like cedar or redwood.
• Exotic Hardwoods. ...
• Other Options. ...
• Composite Decking and Plastic Lumber. ...
• Aluminum. ...

What Wood is best for outdoor bench?

Best outdoor wooden benches

• Venetian Deluxe Bench. The Venetian Deluxe Bench is a gorgeously designed bench. ...
• Classic Genuine Teak Wood Bench. The Classic Genuine Teak Wood Bench is a small bench suited for one person to sit on. ...
• Newcastle Teak Bench. ...
• Cedar Log Love Seat. ...
• Eucalyptus Bench. ...
• Cedar Porch Glider. ...

What is the longest lasting wood for a deck?

IPE woodHighlights. IPE wood is the longest-lasting deck material. Composite and synthetic decking are low-maintenance options.

What is the most durable type of decking?

PVC decking is also the top choice for long-lasting, durable deck boards. Much of this owes to PVC's water resistance. It's moisture-absorption that causes most of wood decking's durability issues: warping, splitting, cracking, mold, mildew, rot, and insect damage.

What is the best material to use for deck boards?

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.

What is the best no maintenance deck material?

3 Best Low-Maintenance Deck MaterialsComposite Decking. Composite decking combines wood fibers and recycled plastic to create a highly durable, weather- and stain-resistant decking material that won't warp, split, or splinter. ... Pressure-Treated Wood Decking. ... Ipe Decking.

How do I choose a wood 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.

What is the cheapest wood for decking?

Pressure-Treated LumberPressure-Treated Lumber Costs It's the most common and least expensive type of decking. Although pressure-treated wood requires yearly washing, sanding, and sealing, when finished with a clear sealant, it will last up to 30 years if maintained properly.

How thick should deck boards be?

The standard thickness for all types of wood is 1”, however, for weaker woods, choosing a thicker board can give you a sturdier feel. But if you prefer to go with more durable non-wood decking, your best option is TimberTech AZEK MAX capped polymer deck boards.

Is cedar decking worth the money?

Durable. Cedar has a long history of use in decking and housing. It's a durable wood that is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks, and resists moisture absorption, so it tends to last longer, needs less maintenance, and doesn't warp or split as easily.

What is the best type of decking?

Here's a look at the best decking materials worth considering.1) Composite Decking. ... 2) Natural Softwood Timber Decking. ... 3) Hardwood. ... 4) Thermowood. ... 5) PVC Decking. ... 6) Aluminium. ... Factors to Consider When Choosing Decking Material.

Is composite or PVC decking better?

PVC is much harder and more scratch resistant than composite decking, which is good news if you have a large dog or heavy patio furniture. All these benefits don't come cheap, however: PVC decking will cost you about $10 per sq. ft. Some companies offer a limited lifetime warranty.

What is better Trex or TimberTech?

In a high-end comparison of the Legacy Collection by TimberTech vs Trex Transcend, TimberTech offers the most realistic-looking boards, while Trex Transcend is widely known as the most durable composite on the market.

Are composite decks worth it?

While they often cost more than wood, composite materials offer the promise of greater durability and less maintenance. Wood is still the most common choice for deck material,1 but it doesn't last forever. Composites may be more durable, but they might lack the natural look and color you are looking for.

What is the best wood for an outdoor deck?

Overall, our experts at Patio Productions recommend Cedar or Redwood as the best wood choice for outdoor decks. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, pressure treated wood is your next best option.

Why is it important to choose the right type of wood for an outdoor deck?

Therefore, it is important to choose the right type of wood from the start. Different types of woods have different levels of resistance to the elements. Common concerns include rot from moisture, price, and the problems associated with insects. To ensure protection from these dangers, there are certain qualities to look for when shopping for wood for an outdoor deck.

What is the most expensive wood for a deck?

The most common tropical hardwoods that you’ll find are mahogany and ipe. These woods for outdoor decks are going to be the most expensive options by far. Mahogany and ipe are great for decks because they’re extremely resistant to moisture, insects, and warping. There are a few downsides to tropical hardwoods that make them a far more expensive choice. These woods can’t be nailed in or screwed in without making an initial pilot. This will increase the cost of the deck through labor alone.

Why use cedar for decking?

Using Cedar for decks is one of the most popular options because of it’s durability and resistance to moisture. Although cedar is a soft wood, it resists rot and insect infestation better than most other wood. One of the many benefits of cedar is that the moisture content changes to match the atmosphere that it’s in. This is especially important if you live in an area that’s prone to freezing. Cedar won’t warp or crack as easily as other options.

What is composite decking made of?

There are a few factors that are appealing to home owners interested in building a deck. Composite deck is usually made from polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. This is essentially a recycled plastic with wood fibers built in. Since it is made with recycled plastic, there is a wide range of color and finish options. Another bonus of composite wood, it needs little to no maintenance. This is the one material that won’t require staining and cleaning regularly.

How long does cedar last?

On average, the lifespan of cedar is about 15-20 years if taken care of correctly. Care includes pressure washing yearly and refinishing/staining every two to three years. You’ll find cedar used most commonly in the Pacific Northwest or other areas that experience a lot of moisture.

What is pressure treated wood?

Pressure treated wood is often the most economical option available for outdoor decks. There are a few different types of wood that are commonly pressure treated for decks, but the two most popular are southern yellow pine and douglas fir. You might be wondering, how exactly does pressure treated wood work? Essentially, the manufacturer places a load of lumber into a large chamber and seals it, and then forces waterborne chemicals into the wood under pressure. You can learn more about the process and the pressure treatment grading system from Decks.com.

What is the best wood for a deck?

Redwood is a more premium option than cedar. It has a beautiful reddish tint due to its natural oils and tannins. But like cedar , it will eventually age to a shade of silver over time. Redwood is fantastic for decks, as it is also insect and moisture-resistant. It’s very stable, providing structural integrity with straightforward maintenance.

What is the best material for an outdoor deck?

You will see this on a lot of decks and not just because of its price. Pressure-treated wood typically starts as a softwood – often pine. This softwood will then go through chemical preservation treatment to make it resistant to insects and moisture.

Is cedar good for decking?

Cedar may be a softwood, but it’s one of the best woods for decking you can have. Cedar resists insects, rot, and moisture with ease. It is one of the more durable softwoods in the market, but that’s not even its best quality. Cedar is known to have a variable moisture content, matching it with the environment. This is especially good news for those living in colder to freezing climates, as cedar isn’t as prone to cracking or warping.

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 last?

Premium woods like red cedar and redwood offer comparable levels of durability and longevity, lasting an average of 20 years.

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.

How long does a wood deck last?

Initially, wood costs significantly less than either vinyl or composite, and if properly constructed and maintained, a wood deck will last for years. And unlike petroleum-based materials, wood is renewable if sustainably harvested.

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: