How To Choose The Best Wood For Your Deck Construction
Although many decking materials are available, pure wood remains the gold standard for deck construction. However, not all wood decks are made of the same type of wood. Here's what to consider when choosing wood for your deck.
Durability
The first thing to consider when choosing wood for your deck construction is durability. Different types of decking wood offer varying levels of durability depending on their resistance or susceptibility to moisture and insect damage.
In terms of wood structure, all decking woods fall into three main categories — sapwood, heartwood, and sapwood-streaked wood.
Sapwood is the softer, outer layer of wood, which is more susceptible to rot and insect damage due to its high moisture and starch content. On the other hand, heartwood is the inner layer of wood, which offers maximum resistance to insects and decay due to its lower moisture/pulp content.
Sapwood is the least durable wood available for deck building. Choose decking wood with a high heartwood content to build the most durable deck. For a compromise between price and quality, consider sapwood-streaked wood. It is the most widely used decking wood because it is the middle ground between sapwood and heartwood.
Beauty
From hardwood species such as oak, teak, and ipe to softwood varieties such as redwood, cedar, and pine, each wood species available for deck building has unique colors and grain patterns that make them stand out from others.
Hardwoods are particularly highly sought-after because of their rich, attractive colors, which can boost the curb appeal of a property tremendously.
Maintenance
All wood decks require ongoing maintenance to keep looking nice and reach the end of their expected service life.
Because of their lower moisture and starch content, hardwoods are generally far more resistant to damage from rot and insects than softwoods. As a result, they require far less care and upkeep to remain beautiful and ensure durability.
When selecting wood for your deck building, consider your specific needs and budget. Softwoods are generally desirable if you want to save money on the initial cost of your deck construction. These woods cost less to buy and install than hardwoods. On the other hand, hardwoods cost more upfront but have lower life-cycle costs because of their lower maintenance requirements over the long term.
Contact a wood decking supplier near you to learn more about your wood decking material options and for your free, no-obligation quote. For more information on decking supplies, contact a professional near you.
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