Wooden Decks

There is perhaps nothing classier than natural wood decks. Not only do they look good but they smell wonderful and are also extremely durable. Deciding on type of wood to be used is a pre-requisite. Non-pressure treated wood includes plain wood, cedar and redwood. Plain wood generally comes in two categories – pine and spruce. It is not as sturdy as the other two and may need replacing in six to eight years. Redwood and Cedars are favorites with deck builders. They are both resistant to moisture and insects. However they may not be impervious to such factors. Their resistance is variable depending on grade and age of the tree. Cedar is good for staining and painting as it takes to these very well. However it also looks very good even if left completely unfinished. Redwood is soft wood, expensive and primarily used for decorative purposes rather than for structural purposes. Weathering can change the distinctive color of redwood after a few years.

A good option is to use proper grade of pressure treated lumber. Pressure treated yellow pine is all time favorite and generally quite economical. Pine although technically a soft wood, yellow pine is hard. Stairways are usually made of yellow pine for this reason. But you must be watchful for warps and splits that can occur if not screwed properly. It is essential that the wood you use for your deck is strong to start with. Wood cracking, raised grain and mildew growth problems can be reduced by applying a supplementary finish to the wood deck surface. When wooden decks have been frequently exposed to harsh weather conditions and sufficiently aged the wood will appear silver gray. The natural color of wood on weathered decks can be restored by using commercial products like deck cleaners, brighteners or restorers.