Are you ready to add a new deck to your house? Or maybe your current deck is rotting and falling apart. Suppose you want to avoid having your deck fall apart in the future. In that case, you must be aware of what wood and deck PVC works best under harsh weather conditions, typical weather and wear-and-tear, and sometimes most importantly, your wallet.
Yellow Pine
Yellow pine tends to be a popular choice for decking. It is easy on the bank account yet highly durable. Yellow pine is also very strong and available in most Eastern states. So if you live on the East side of the United States, yellow pine may be one of your best options.
However, yellow pine is prone to splintering, cracking, and rotting, so professionals recommend having the wood pressure treated and sealed with water-repelling treatment.
Redwood
While it is a beautiful wood, redwood is a pretty pricey option. However, if you are willing to pay good money for redwood, go for it! Redwood color can elevate your outdoor space and add a more high-end feel. In addition, redwood is naturally resistant to decay and easy to work with.
Besides the price, redwood has some other disadvantages. While the color is beautiful, it requires regular treatments to retain its natural hue. If left untreated with water repellant, redwood is vulnerable to splintering. While redwood would make a beautiful custom deck, its beauty will not last if you are not willing to maintain it.
Cedar
Cedar can be a tricky wood for deck building, but it is not impossible. Like redwood, cedar is naturally decay-resistant and appealing to the eye. Cedar, however, is more readily available in most states than redwood is.
Along with its beauty, cedar costs a pretty penny. In addition, cedar is a type of softwood and will need frequent stain treatment to keep its color. So again, if you are not willing to maintain your deck through the years, cedar may not be suitable for you.
Fir
There are two types of fir readily available to users across the United States; hem-fir and Douglas fir. Both must be pressure treated to be used for decking. While both are very strong woods, Douglas fir is the strongest of the two. Fir is durable, practical, and can look beautiful in your outdoor space.
There aren’t many cons for hem-fir and Douglas fir. The only cons are that the pressure treatment can be corrosive to metal fasteners, and any drilled holes will also require treatment. However, these are both straightforward fixes with easily avoidable downfalls, so fir is an excellent option for your home improvement needs.
Tropical Hardwood
Any tropical hardwood such as mahogany, rosewood, ebony, and teak is a high-quality option for your deck. As their name suggests, these woods are harvested in tropical climates and then shipped to the US. They may be foreign, but it is not hard to get your hands on tropical timber. Tropical hardwood is naturally resistant to decay, durable, and has a long life span, and the tight grain on tropical hardwood makes it water-resistant.
For many buyers, the cons of tropical hardwood outweigh the pros. This wood is not environmentally friendly, and the dust it causes in the building process can be severely irritating to builders. Tropical timber is weighty and, therefore, very labor-intensive. The hardness of the wood can also dull the tools one uses when working with it. Tropical hardwood is some of the most expensive wood on the market and requires frequent treatments with an oil finish to retain the natural color.
PVC
While PVC boards aren’t wood, they can look like wood. PVC deck boards require no further maintenance after installation, are efficient, environmentally friendly, and lightweight. PVC is smooth, non-splintering, and able to resist water naturally. PVC does a great job of making your outdoor living space a stunning place that will last a lifetime.
Some homeowners do not choose PVC because they would rather have natural wood. But, PVC will be sure to exceed your expectations.
If you are ready to take your first step to build a new deck, a highly recommended company is 13TEN Renovations. 13TEN Renovations is a small company dedicated to its customers and making them fall in love with their outdoor space all over again. As deck builders in Glen Allen, VA, its employees specialize in deck PVC, composite decking, and pressure-treated lumber decking. To get a quote on your decking project, head over to 13TEN Renovations to see how they can turn your backyard vision into a reality.
