Decks are a great addition to your backyard. You can enjoy your evenings out there or even add them as an extension to your pool. Wooden decks are amazing, but there are a lot of types of wood that are used in building a deck, which is bound to become confusing for some. Want some help? Here are the most popular wood types used for decking by deck builders.

Popular Types Of Wood Used For Decking

Redwood

Redwood is a wonderful wood that is usually seen in furniture, but it can also turn into a deck that will be a style statement. The color of redwood is what makes it so unique, but that’s not all. Redwood also doesn’t deform or warp, so it won’t get damaged, which is an issue with a lot of decking materials that are wood.

It also doesn’t need to be treated with chemicals, thanks to this quality. So, if the color red intrigues you and you want to include it in your decking to make it stand out, then redwood is a great option to consider.

Cedarwood

If you’re looking for a wood that will repel pests and termites then look no further because cedarwood is here to save the day. Cedarwood is also found abundantly everywhere and it’s one of the most loved woods for flooring as well as decking.

Cedarwood is also very versatile and you can make just about any type of deck with it, whether it be a raised deck, a platform deck, or more. It is also quite long-lasting and it doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. Once installed, cedarwood can last up to 20 years without a lot of maintenance.

Douglas Fir Wood

Douglas fir wood might be used for flooring, but it sure is a great decking material as well. It is lightweight, so its installation will be a breeze and it also looks very muted in appearance, so it will go with almost every décor.

Douglas fir wood is also very strong and you can use screws and nails on it easily. It can be a bit more demanding when it comes to maintenance because it needs to be made waterproof if you don’t want the decking to be spoiled. Other than that, Douglas fir wood is a wonderful option.

Pressured Pine Wood

Pine, by nature, is a very soft wood and is not a perfect candidate for decking. However, pressured or pressure-treated pine is completely different and it stands high in the decking material rating. It is treated with chemicals to make it strong and waterproof so that it doesn’t budge and break easily.

Pressured pine is also very affordable and it’s a universal option for decking because it can endure outdoor weather conditions perfectly too.

Ipe Wood

Wood is prone to burning, right? Well, this wood type might just be an exception. Ipe is a wood type that has a class A fire resistance and it is one of the most beautiful woods for decking. Ipe wood has a very soft and definitive appearance and there is little to no design on it, which makes it subtle yet so amazing for people who want something minimal but equally eye-catching.

The color of Ipe is very interesting. It is a soft brown, but it doesn’t have that harsh undertone that a lot of woods have. So, if you’re looking for a wood that has it all, then Ipe is the one you want to go for.

Jatoba Wood

Jatoba wood (Brazilian Cherry) is also available in a variety of colors. It can range from colors in dark red and orange, and light pinkish beige too. So, you can choose just about any color that you want. This wood is also quite strong and it doesn’t need a lot of looking after either.

Another great thing about Jatoba wood is that it is very reasonable in price as compared to Ipe and it is an amazing option to go for, if you’re looking for something reasonable, but with lots of qualities that will impress and last.

Tigerwood

If you want a bit more pattern to your wood and want to make it look warm and vibrant, then tigerwood is an amazing option. Tigerwood is an amazing wood that is scratch-resistant, making it perfect for heavy foot traffic and even for the paws of your furry companions. This wood is also quite grainy and textured, so slipping will be a non-issue.

Tigerwood is considered to be an exotic wood type, although it does fade away after some time into a grayish color, so if that’s something that bothers you, then you might want to look at other options.

Siberian Larch

Light, veined, and oh-so-beautiful, Siberian larch is a wood that needs no introduction. If you love the look of light-colored woods and you want something that will last long, then Siberian larch is going to be your favorite. It is also known as “the tree of eternity”, so you know that this material is not only going to look pleasing to the eye, but it will also make an impression that will last long.

But that’s not the only thing that will last long. You will also get amazing durability and strength and this is one of those woods that you can set and forget about.

Composite Wood

A material that looks like wood but has properties of stones and plastics – that is what composite wood is all about. Composite wood is primarily wood, but it is also mixed in with polymers, plastics, and other agents to make it waterproof, strong, and very durable. This material changes the way you feel about woods.

Zero maintenance, striking similarity with wood and an appearance to die for – composite wood will be your favorite from the lot. It is a bit expensive, but it’s worth the investment since there is no maintenance.

Tropical Wood

If you want to go for something unique, that will make people turn their heads, then you need to give tropical woods a go. There are a lot of choices in tropical woods including Cumaru and Massaranduba being the most popular ones.

These woods are a work of natural art and they not only look beautiful, but they’re considered luxury as well, so you know that your deck will look amazing. There are a couple of drawbacks of tropical woods though. The first one is the most obvious and that is the fact that tropical woods are highly expensive.

In some cases, tropical woods are about 3 to 4 times more expensive than other wood types so the deck you’ll build will make your wallet cry if you don’t have the budget for it. Secondly, tropical woods are already scarce in quantity, so the aspect of deforestation becomes a huge problem because you’ll get the wood after trees are cut down, which isn’t the smartest decision when it comes to going for a deck material when there is already a lot of variety available.

Conclusion

Wooden decks have unparalleled beauty and they also last decently long if you choose the right type and maintain them. For personalized suggestions on which type of wood will be right for you based on your requirements, consult deck contractors Port Jefferson.