How Do You Choose Lumber For Building A Deck?
Options for decking material abound these days, with a range of wood species–and wood alternatives–available at just about every home center and lumber yard. If you’re sure you want wood, but not sure which wood, here’s some information to help you make your choice. Southern pine is still the most popular–and least expensive–wood decking material. This product is pressure treated to aid durability, and no longer includes the arsenic previously used as a preservative. Because of the move away from arsenic, make sure bolts, screws and other fasteners are stainless steel, or labeled for use with the preservatives now in use. Also, you’ll have to periodically re-stain and re-seal pine decking to keep it in shape. Cedar and redwood are popular steps up from basic pine. Cedar can cost twice as much as pine, and redwood can run four times higher. However, these materials are naturally resistant to rot and insects, so ongoing maintenance can be significantly reduced. Ipe, also called “iron
