Some of the best hardwood varieties for decking are:
- Oak: Amongst the most popular decking woods, with good strength and moisture resistance. As hardwoods go, oak is one of...
- Teak: Really durable and with a high oil content that offers good protection from rot and insect attack. On the...
- Ipe: A popular decking material due to its superior strength, durability and...
What kind of wood should I use for a deck?
You can find deck planks with a tongue-and-groove in:
- wood
- wood composite
- plastic
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 is the best timber to use for decking?
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 is the best wood for a patio deck?
- Circular – awesome way to accent fire pits or fountains
- Herringbone – a classy, versatile look
- Basket Weave – good for vintage, old-timey styles
- European Fan – the go-to for a European style outdoor space.
- Running Bond – easy to install, little to no paver cutting required
What is the strongest wood 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.
Which deck wood lasts the longest?
Aluminum decking is the most expensive out of the deck material and will last the longest with a lifespan of 30+ years.
What is the best material to use for decks?
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 cheapest wood for decking?
Pressure-treated woodPressure-treated wood is generally the cheapest material to build decks from.
What is the best maintenance free decking?
Composite decking is one of the most durable decking materials on the market. Composite decking lasts, on average, 25-30 years with only minimal upkeep in comparison to natural wood decking. This is partly due to it being made from materials that are resistant to weather, rot and insect damage.
What is the best kind of decking?
Here are some of the most popular material options to choose from when building your deck and factors that may help you to narrow your decision.#1 Pressure-Treated Wood. Among the various types of wood decking, pressure-treated lumber is the most common. ... #2 Cedar Decking. ... #4 Composite Decking. ... #5 Hardwoods.
What is the best decking on the market?
These brands are the best of the best.Fiberon. Best decking all-around.MoistureShield. Best option for direct sunlight.Cali Bamboo. Best alternative wood-source decking.Trex. Best DIY install decking.Duralife. Best hidden fastener decking option.Lumberock. Best fully synthetic decking.Envision. ... TimberTech (AZEC).
How long do treated wood decks last?
50 yearsDecks made of treated wood and composite materials can last as long as 50 years. Many composite decks come with a 20-year warranty – and often a lifetime guarantee. A deck made of quality composite materials, such as TimberTech, comes with a 25-year fade and stain warranty.
How many years will a cedar deck last?
15-20 yearsIt'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. A cedar deck can last for 15-20 years or more, depending on maintenance and environment.
How long does a pressure treated wood deck last?
around 50 yearsWooden Decks Made from Pressure-Treated Lumber So while it will resist a lot of the environmental changes that the weather brings, it might not be the ideal material for everyone. If you maintain and seal your pressure-treated deck, it can last you around 50 years.
Will cedar last as long as pressure treated?
Longevity. Cedar decks last 15 to 20 years, compared to 10 to 15 years for pressure-treated wood.
Is cedar or redwood better for decking?
Redwood is roughly 23 percent stronger than cedar, but both will still perform very well for the average residential deck. Plus cedar is often a bit less expensive than redwood. Both redwood and cedar are higher maintenance wood decking options.
What is Tigerwood decking?
Tigerwood decking sells the product as Tigerwood. Although this exotic wood has several names, it is not Zebrawood, which is another striped-liked product. What the U.S. Forest Service calls Astronium graveolens, Tigerwood is also often used to carve knife handles and archery bows. 06 of 06.
What wood is good for splintering?
The wood you choose should have an excellent resistance to decay, and cedar is one such wood. Western red cedar is reddish-brown. Within a few years, the cedar ages to a silvery gray. This soft-wood splinters easily, but holds up well in rain, sun, heat, and cold.
How is wood hardness rated?
The hardness of wood is rated by the Janka hardness test, a number that will be associated with the type of wood you buy. A lower number is softer wood than a higher Janka harness scale number, so you can easily compare between species.
What is ipé wood?
Ipé. Ipé (pronounced ee-pay) is an almost magical South American hardwood. The Forest Service Products Laboratory gives ipé top marks for bug and rot resistance, and the wood is so hard, it's nearly as difficult to burn as concrete.
What is a mahogany deck?
Mahogany is a tight-grained tropical hardwood that resists pests and rot. Treat it with marine oil, and it looks like teak. Or, let your mahogany deck age to a silvery hue. You can choose from several varieties, and each has its pros and cons. Whichever type mahogany you select, make sure it has the "FSC" trademark to assure that rainforests have not been harvested irresponsibly.
Is pressure treated pine an eyesore?
Will your new deck be an enhancement or an eyesore? The answer depends on the type of decking wood you use. Pressure-treated pine resists rot and repels pests, but the green- or yellow-tinged lumber can be unsightly, and the pesticides it contains may be unhealthy.
Can you seal redwood decks?
A redwood deck will resist rot, but prolonged moisture will cause the wood to blacken. To maintain the lovely ruddy hue, use a clear sealer on your redwood deck or porch floor. The California Redwood Association (CRA) represents timber companies in the American northwest.
What is the best wood for decking?
The most popular wood species for decking boards are; Balau, Iroko, Accoya and European Oak. Hardwood and softwood choices are available . People often buy hardwood mouldings online from us, specifically you can buy hardwood decking online here.
What is the Best Wood for Outdoor Decks?
Just like outdoor furniture, the types of material that an outdoor deck is made from will have a large impact on overall lifetime and durability. 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 best decking for outdoor landscaping?
Timber decking boards or wood decking is commonly used for external hard landscaping as an alternative to paving or flags. Hardwood decking is often used due to its durability. Accoya decking is a very durable sustainable alternative. Most of our decking can be manufactured in the timber species of your choice.
Where do softwood deck boards come from?
Softwood decking boards come from fast-growing trees, which makes them cheap and readily available. While they may not be as durable as other types of woods, it doesn’t mean that their quality is undesirable. Many builders and homeowners use softwoods to create beautiful and durable softwoods.
What kind of wood do purists like?
For those who consider themselves purists, you might opt for western softwoods like cedar or redwood. These species of lumber are prized for their natural beauty and rich color. Both contain oils and tannins that naturally resist decay and voracious insects, and aren’t filled will chemicals or preservatives like PT lumber.
What is the best grade of cedar?
If you prefer cedar, the four best grades are architect clear, custom clear, architect knotty, and custom knotty, listed here from most expensive to least expensive.
What are the advantages of composite decking over wood decking?
The major advantages of composite versus wood decking include the fact that they never have to be treated, stained or sanded, and are low-maintenance. Not everyone will be a fan of synthetic products, but smart consumers should definitely do their research and consider the advantages.
What is composite decking?
Composite products such as CorrectDeck, Tree, and TimberTech, are composed of recycled plastic and wood fibers, resulting in a product that is stain and decay resistant, free of knots, and durable, even in the most severe weather conditions. Plastic products like ForeverDeck and Leisure Decking are 100% plastic.
Why is pressure treated lumber popular?
PT lumber is also appealing to many homeowners because it is treated to resist fungus, wood-boring bugs, and rot.
Can exotic hardwood be used on wood decks?
Anyone considering these exotic hardwoods should be aware that they are not the easiest species of lumber to work. This is because they are dense and thus challenging to cut and drill. Also, most of these tropical hardwoods are typically quite difficult to stain. Thus, you’ll need to make sure to use a penetrating oil-based stain specifically formulated for use on hardwood decking.
Is cedar lumber more expensive than PT lumber?
In most parts of the country, the cost for cedar and redwood is close to triple the price of PT lumber, making them the more expensive option. In addition to cost, cedar and redwood need an annual power wash and to be treated with a coat of finish every few years.
What are the factors that determine the best decking material?
Ultimately, finding one that suits your space comes down to a compromise of four key factors: budget, climate, ease of maintenance, and overall aesthetic. Start your construction process by considering these five most popular picks for the best decking material—we’ve got the pros and cons for each.
What is aluminum decking?
Often used near swimming pools and lakes, aluminum decking is a long-lasting and low-maintenance material. Most options feature a baked-on, powder-coated, or anodized finish that stands up to harsh weather conditions. Aluminum is extremely resistant to mold, mildew, and staining, and it also won’t rust, rot, crack, or peel over time. What’s more, most aluminum decking comes with a non-skid textured surface that prevents slips and falls. Surprisingly, most varieties of aluminum decking manage to stay cool even on the hottest days. However, this combination of benefits makes it one of the most expensive options, second only to some varieties of natural wood. The price—as well as the distinct industrial appearance—isn’t for every homeowner.
What is composite decking made of?
Composite decking, from brands such as Trex and TimberTech, is made from a blend of recycled plastic (polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC) mixed with wood fibers (like wood chips or sawdust). Not only does the durable synthetic material resist warping, it also holds strong against rot and insect infestations. Composite decking is available in a wide variety of colors and styles, including looks that mimic natural wood, none of which require sealing, sanding, or staining unless you absolutely want to change the color later on. On the flip side, dark-colored composite decking can get extremely hot in direct sunlight; mold and mildew can grow in shady, cool, or damp areas; and the surface can be quite slick when wet. (It’s best to allow adequate time to air-dry between lightly scrubbing down the surface and inviting guests out on the deck in order to avoid any slips.)
What is pressure treated wood?
Often made from a southern pine infused with a chemical to make it resistant to rot, moisture, and insects, this widely available decking material is generally the least expensive option—certainly among wood decking materials —and therefore the most widely used. Homeowners enjoy pressure-treated wood for its durability and visual similarity to natural wood. It’s an ideal option for do-it-yourself construction because, unlike natural wood, it’s easy to cut and fasten with nails or screws.
Why do you need to reapply pressure treated wood?
The biggest downside to pressure-treated wood? The infused chemicals release toxic gas into the air if burned, so it’s important to always reapply a good sealer when you stain every few years in order to minimize the exposure to chemicals when using the deck. Otherwise, in regards to maintenance, homeowners will need to pressure wash annually.
How much does exotic hardwood cost?
Some exotic hardwoods cost more than $20 per square foot! And without proper maintenance, it tends to fade or crack, so keep your investment in tip-top shape by pressure washing and re-sealing every couple of years. Photo: istockphoto.com.
Does plastic decking need to be sanded?
Just like composite decking, plastic is durable and easy to maintain, requiring regular cleaning with just a garden hose or bucket and mop. Plastic will not warp, crack, or split over time, and it’s impervious to moisture, rot, decay, and insects. What’s more, the surface does not need to be sanded, stained, or sealed.
