Best Types of Wood for Deck Use

The quality of your new deck mainly depends on the type of decking material you use. Durable lumber is generally used in the flooring, railings and steps for a safe and attractive deck. Pressure-treated pine can resist rot and repel pests, so this type of wood is recommended for the frame and supports instead of green-tinged lumber, which can be unsightly and contains unhealthy pesticides. A wide selection of lumber collections are available, which includes Western Red Cedar, Redwood, Philippine Mahogany, Ip and Mock Lumber.

Western Red Cedar

Reddish brown in color, Western Red Cedar can age to a silvery gray shade. While the soft wood splinters easily, it holds up well in extreme weather condition. A penetrating stain should always be used to add beauty and durability to your cedar deck.

Redwood

Redwood is a soft lumber similar to cedar that ages to a pleasing gray shade, but might blacken when exposed to prolonged moisture. While a redwood deck will resist rot, a sealer will make it look more attractive.

Philippine Mahogany

Philippine mahogany is a type of tight-grained hardwood that can age to a silvery hue. It resists pests and rot, and can look like teak when treated with marine oil.

A type of South American hardwood, Ip can be said to be almost magical, since the wood is so hard that it is almost difficult to burn like concrete. While it earns top marks for bug- and rot-resistance, if you choose Ip for your deck, make sure that it's been harvested responsibly, as the use of rain forest woods is controversial.

Mock Lumber

Mock lumber are synthetic materials that can be considered as modern alternatives for outdoor decking. They include plastic polymer and wood-polymer composites, which are virtually bug-proof and rot proof. However, keep in mind that even the most realistic-looking mock lumber is essentially just an imitation.

Cleaning Wood Decks

Cleaning a wood deck is not that difficult. For cleaning hardwood, pine or pressure treated decks, first sweep off excess debris like dirt and leaves and then use clean water from a hose to wet the deck surface. For the next step, dissolve a wood and deck cleaner in warm water at the recommended strength, allowing several minutes for the product to activate. Using a mop or sprayer, apply the cleaner on the deck surface and let it sit for at least ten minutes; if the cleaner begins to dry out before the ten minutes are up, apply more cleaner to keep the deck wet.