Each choice has its advantages and disadvantages so decide which wood best suits your building needs and budget.
Best wood for decks in northeast.
They are a perfect location for enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.
Pt wood is often chosen by homeowners that want a sturdy wood deck without spending a lot.
Wood resisted slips best in our wet and dry friction tests.
That being said some homeowners have projects like boat docks and ground level decks that can not meet the ideal conditions but still want a beautiful hardwood deck.
For a safer more attractive deck or porch choose a visually pleasing yet still durable wood for the floors railings and steps.
Natural wood 3 75 to 20 per square foot is durable and beautiful but costs can run high.
For one pt wood decks have very high maintenance needs and require power washing staining and sealing annually or biannually.
Pressure treated wood in longer lengths 10 feet or greater and wider widths 6 inches or greater can work as an effective deck board but with a few limitations.
Pt decks do last for quite a while but they aren t without issues.
Cedar doesn t readily absorb moisture and since moisture is what creates twisting and splitting cedar wood decking tends to lie flat and straight.
Wood composite decking cost two to three times more than pressure treated wood and pvc decking runs 10 to 15 percent more than wood composites.
In these cases even though we don t recommend it unless you can create the ideal conditions we suggest using 5 4 x 4 decking or 5 4 x 4 quarter sawn decking.
Pressure treated wood deck boards.
Choosing the best wood for decks is all about taste and priorities.
Save the pressure treated wood for the frame and supports.
Decks make a beautiful addition to any home.
Wood also was excellent at resisting bending and sagging.
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.
Composite decking brands include trex fiberon.
A few plastics and composites came close in those tests but several flexed or.
Woods for outdoor projects the three most widely available and suitable exterior lumber choices not treated with chemical preservatives include western red cedar redwood and cypress.
But with all the materials available it can be a challenge deciding the best material for your home and the environment you live in.