Wood Deck - what type of wood?
Question:For durability, what is the best type of wood to use to build a backyard patio deck? I have heard that redwood is more water/insect/sun resistant than douglass, pine, etc. Cost difference between the wood types is not a factor. (note: I do not want to build with composite materials)
Answers:
cedar or redwood is the absolute best natural wood to use (if you don't want composite)
cedar
cedar wood
I can not believe that cedar is a good choice. It is one of the softest woods you can buy. Of the natural choices, not treated, I would have to say white oak is hard to beat. In some areas that might be too costly. I have a white oak mail box post that has been in the dirt for years and not rotten yet. Most equipment trailers are decked with white oak and they last years. How durable is that.
I have the same situation.
Cedar is beautiful but soft and needs yearly upkeep staining at least once a year. It does make a nice looking deck.
treated lumber is less costly but it still needs staining each year and where the screws go through water can access the non treated centre wood so it still can rot.
In Canada we use a cheaper grade of lumber for treated wood so it tends to warp.
It would appear that IPE is the best wood for decks it is very very hard "iron wood "
looks gorgeous. little up keep.
try this guy if he is still around
George at East Teak Lumber 800 338 5636
I may go with a solid deck and use tile or poured concrete with a design stamped in it
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