Did you know that finding the best deck wood is a balancing act between the quality of lumber, the beauty of your patio, and your budget? It is necessary to get acquainted with the different types of patio wood to save money. Here are the top tips to help you find wood for a deck that will last the longest without needing a lot of repairs.
Pressure-Treated Deck Wood
This is the most logical choice for the structural part of your patio. There are many joists, posts, and beams that you do not see. Therefore, buying pressure-treated deck wood can support more weight for a considerable distance.
This is more effective than redwood or cedar, and you can save a lot of money. This type of deck wood is rated according to the pounds of preservative retained per cubic foot. This type of hardwood deck will also provide a lot of protection against insect attacks and fungi.
Treated Lumber With Heartwood
Heartwood is wood from the center of a tree. This can be a bit too dense. It absorbs pressure more readily than other types of deck wood. If you are buying cedar or redwood deck boards, always choose those boards that are cut from heartwood.
Lumber labeled with heartwood typical is much better than the construction common. Heartwood in these species is in the darker core of the tree. You can also find Sapwood, which is lighter in color.
It is cut from the outer edges of the tree. However, it lacks the natural oils that heartwood is known for. These oils are essential to resist insect attacks and decay over time.
Buy Dry Wood
If you are going for treated wood, you should always buy boards that have been dried off before being treated. This is because saturated boards with water can be twice as heavy as dry wood. The extra weight will make wet decking boards harder to cut.
The joists can rise up out of their hangers. Then you will feel that they are bouncier and less supported. The fasteners can become loose, and your deck may wind up with unsightly and uneven gaps between the boards.
If you do not know whether your patio wood is wet, you should compare its weight with an untreated board to compare the difference. Otherwise, you may find that the wood is damp and heavier than usual. For more information, contact these incredible deck builders to do the lumber work for you.
Find the Best Deck Wood Today
Now that you know how to find the best deck wood, it is time to start shopping. Remember that natural woods like cedar and redwood look fantastic when your deck is new.
They are also stable and tend to lie flat without you constantly checking for cracks. However, they turn gray within the first couple of years unless you maintain them regularly with a sealer. Treated lumber is solid and long-lasting, but you need to carefully check how they are dried.
Otherwise, your treated deck wood can crack under pressure. If you enjoyed reading this guide about patio wood, check out some of our other posts for more information.
