While there are a number of materials to choose from, these
are the most popular in the area:
Treated
Pine:
Pressure treated Pine is treated with a chemical preservative
which is forced into the wood fiber under high pressure. Of
the three grades (select, #2 and better, and construction
grade) #2 and better is ideal for framing outdoor structures
due to its warranty of 40 years against decay and insects.
Cedar:
The
most popular decking material due to its decay resistance
and beauty. Fresh cedar ranges in color from light brown to
a salmon pink. Being a soft wood, cedar does tend to weather
quickly and should be sealed and treated at least yearly.
Untreated, cedar will weather to a silver gray in color.
Redwood:
Redwood
grades vary greatly from Clear Heart, B grade, Construction
Heart, and Construction common. Durable and highly resistant
to decay, Redwood has a reputation as an excellent decking
material. Redwood is a soft wood and weathers quickly to a
yellowish-red if left untreated, and then to a dark gray over
time.
Composite:
Trex,
Smart deck, Epoch, Fibercon, Choice deck, etc. Composites
cut and fasten like wood. If having a deck, arbor or gazebo
built to be maintenance-free is your objective, composites
may be your best choice.
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