Table of Contents
What is the Best Wood for Outdoor Decks? Cedar. Using Cedar for decks is one of the most popular options because of it’s durability and resistance to moisture. Redwood. Redwood is another western soft wood that is frequently used in outdoor deck builds. Pressure Treated Wood. Tropical Hardwoods. Composite Wood.
Is pressure treated wood good for decks?
Pressure-treated lumber is the logical choice for the structural part of your deck—the posts, joists, beams and other members you normally don’t see. Pressure-treated lumber can support more weight and span longer distances than cedar, redwood or other woods commonly used for building decks.
Which deck wood lasts the longest?
Aluminum decking is the most expensive out of the deck material and will last the longest with a lifespan of 30+ years. Steel decking can have a lifespan of 60+ years when correctly installed by a professional builder.
What is the best material to use for deck boards?
Best Deck Material Options for 2021 #1 Pressure-Treated Wood. Among the various types of wood decking, pressure-treated lumber is the most common. #2 Cedar Decking. Cedar is commonly regarded as a higher-quality material than pressure-treated lumber. #4 Composite Decking. #5 Hardwoods.
Is cedar or pressure treated wood better for decks?
When it comes to comparing treated wood vs. cedar, pressure-treated wood is the sturdier and more weather-proof of the two. It’s highly resistant to insect attack and rot, and special versions rated for “ground contact” can be buried in soil and will continue to shrug off decay for decades.
Which lasts longer cedar or pressure treated wood?
Cedar is stronger and more durable than pressure-treated lumber. Pressure-treated lumber can warp and weather within a few years if left untreated, while cedar is more capable of naturally keeping its shape.
What size lumber is needed for a deck?
Commonly used joist sizes are 2-by-6, 2-by-8 and 2-by-10. For example, when you space joists 16″ apart — which is standard for residential decks — a deck spanning 9 1/2′ would require 2-by-6 joists, a 13′ deck would need 2-by-8 joists and a 16′ deck calls for 2-by-10 joists.
What is the lifespan of a wood deck?
THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF A WOOD DECK: Typically 10 to 15 years. The actual lifespan of your wood deck will depend on the type of wood you’ve chosen and how well you keep up with wood’s rigorous maintenance schedule.
What is the most cost effective decking material?
What’s the cheapest decking material? The cheapest decking material is usually pressure-treated pine, which can cost as little as $2 to $3 per square foot. There are solid wood and composite options that run $4 to $5 per square foot.
How long will a treated wood deck last?
A deck made of untreated wood can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. Decks made of treated wood and composite materials can last as long as 50 years.
What decking material does not get hot?
TimberTech capped polymer decking is engineered to be cooler to the touch, even in direct sunlight. TimberTech AZEK decking, our capped polymer decking line, features advanced materials science in its core and cap that makes it more heat resistant than other composite decking products.
What is the cheapest wood for decking?
Pressure Treated Wood Is a Solid, Cheap Decking Material. The most economical decking material, by far, is pressure treated wood. Pressure treated wood is superior to regular wood because it has been infused with chemicals that help it resist decay and rot, as well as damage from certain types of insects.
Is cedar decking worth the money?
It’s a durable wood that is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks, and resists moisture absorption, so it tends to last longer, needs less maintenance, and doesn’t warp or split as easily. A cedar deck can last for 15-20 years or more, depending on maintenance and environment.
What are the disadvantages of cedar wood?
Cedar Disadvantage Requires Maintenance. Due to being softwood, cedar needs regular maintenance. Flammable. Cedar is a flammable wood. Fading Color. Changes color over time due to chemical reactions. Sensitive. Cedar is a sensitive wood. Weak. Cedar is a common material in construction.
How long do cedar decks last?
Most carpenters figure a lifespan of 15 to 20 years for cedar wood deck boards, but it can deteriorate faster when used for ground-level decks and for shaded decks that are slow to dry out. To retain the color, you have to clean it and reseal it every year or two, and even then it’s a losing battle.
Is pine Good for decking?
Both pine and standard “white wood” lumber work well for deck construction. Some pines are nearly as resistant to rot as cedar, and both of these options take paint well. Paint will increase the longevity of a pine deck to some extent, but cannot give the same results as cedar, redwood or treated lumber.
Does cedar deck need to be treated?
Sealing your deck will keep it safe from water damage, rot, and insects. Stain, on the other hand, enhances the deck’s beauty while offering UV protection. Every two to three years, you will want to reseal and stain your cedar deck.
How much does cedar wood cost?
Cedar boards range from $4 to $9 per linear foot. Different types of cedar, like western red cedar or northern white cedar, may vary slightly in price. Larger-sized boards also tend to be more expensive.
How much does it cost to build a 20×20 deck?
The average homeowner spends $2,200 to build a 10×10 foot deck, $6,160 to build a 14×20 deck, and $8,800 to build a 20×20 deck. The cost to build a deck with pressure-treated wood, hardwood, or composite is about $25 per square foot, for both materials and installation.
Can I build a deck with 2×6?
2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16″. Some builders reduce joist spacing to 12″ on center to strengthen the deck frame or to increase maximum allowable joist spans.
Should I use deck boards or 2×6?
2×6 is thicker and is stronger, but is also more expensive. Spacing between deck boards provide a few critical functions. The primary function is to drain water from the deck. Gaps that are narrow (1/8”), can catch debris, specifically on top of the joists, and can be difficult to clean out.
