What is the best wood to use for decks?

Pressure-treated lumber is the best wood for outdoor decks when it comes to upfront costs because of its easy accessibility. However, pressure-treated lumber — and indeed, all types of traditional wood decking material — require the aforementioned rigorous, costly maintenance over time.

Which deck wood lasts the longest?

Aluminum decking is the most expensive out of the deck material and will last the longest with a lifespan of 30+ years. Steel decking can have a lifespan of 60+ years when correctly installed by a professional builder.

What is the best material to use for deck boards?

Composite and PVC decking are popular because they're virtually maintenance free. Both types are extremely weather-resistant, easy to clean, and neither will ever splinter, warp, cup, or rot. And they don't require sanding or staining.

What is the most durable decking material?

Composite decking, from brands such as Trex and TimberTech, is made from a blend of recycled plastic (polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC) mixed with wood fibers (like wood chips or sawdust). Not only does the durable synthetic material resist warping, it also holds strong against rot and insect infestations.

What is the life expectancy of a wood deck?

THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF A WOOD DECK: Typically 10 to 15 years. The actual lifespan of your wood deck will depend on the type of wood you've chosen and how well you keep up with wood's rigorous maintenance schedule.

Best Wood for Porch Decks

How much does it cost to build a deck in 2021?

Value Report for 2021, home exterior projects have the greatest return on investment (ROI). A new wood deck has an average cost of $17,000 with a 66% ROI and a composite deck averages around $22,500 and has a 63% ROI.

How thick should deck boards be?

16” on center = Standard for residential decking applications. 12” on center is recommended for a sturdier underfoot feel, when using standard deck board thickness of 1”. 24” on center = Sometimes used for commercial applications such as docks and boardwalks; wider joist spacing requires greater deck board thickness.

Is cedar or pressure treated wood better for decks?

When it comes to comparing treated wood vs. cedar, pressure-treated wood is the sturdier and more weather-proof of the two. It's highly resistant to insect attack and rot, and special versions rated for “ground contact” can be buried in soil and will continue to shrug off decay for decades.

Should you use treated wood for a deck?

Pressure-treated lumber is the logical choice for the structural part of your deck—the posts, joists, beams and other members you normally don't see. Pressure-treated lumber can support more weight and span longer distances than cedar, redwood or other woods commonly used for building decks.

Is cedar better than pine for decks?

Cedar is stronger and more durable than pressure-treated lumber. Pressure-treated lumber can warp and weather within a few years if left untreated, while cedar is more capable of naturally keeping its shape. However, cedar is more susceptible to cosmetic damages, such as dents and scratches.

Is cedar or redwood better for decking?

Redwood is roughly 23 percent stronger than cedar, but both will still perform very well for the average residential deck. Plus cedar is often a bit less expensive than redwood. Both redwood and cedar are higher maintenance wood decking options.

How long will pressure treated deck last?

Wooden Decks Made from Pressure-Treated Lumber

So while it will resist a lot of the environmental changes that the weather brings, it might not be the ideal material for everyone. If you maintain and seal your pressure-treated deck, it can last you around 50 years.

Should I use 2x4 or 2x6 for deck?

Most builders stick to using a minimum of 2x6s for deck floor joists. If you want to add guardrails and stairs, you need at least 2x10s. 2×4 and 2×6 joists are ideal for ground-level decks without guards.

Is pine Good for decking?

On the other hand, treated pine is a great option for decking, as it is more cost effective and versatile than merbau. It is a softwood that is naturally decay and termite resistant, making it one of the more durable softwoods around.

Is cedar good for decks?

Durable. Cedar has a long history of use in decking and housing. It's a durable wood that is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks, and resists moisture absorption, so it tends to last longer, needs less maintenance, and doesn't warp or split as easily.

What is the best wood for outdoor use?

What are the disadvantages of cedar wood?

Is redwood better than pressure treated wood?

Durable- It's naturally resistant to bugs and rot – unlike pressure treated yellow pine that needs some funky stuff (copper chromium arsenate) to keep the bugs at bay. Easy to Maintain- Whether it's finished with a sealant or left as is, redwood is fairly easy to clean.

Should I use 2x6 or 5 4 decking?

Which is better and what are the differences? Today, 5/4 decking is more widely used than 2×6 decking. Although the same width, 2x6s are 1/2″ thicker, making them stronger and less bouncy than 5/4 decking spanning the same joist spacing. However, 2x6s cost 30% to 50% more for similar quality and appearance decking.

Can you use 2x10 for deck boards?

There is certainly no problem using the 2x10s for any of the structural framing of the deck. Using 2x10 treated lumber for decking is another matter entirely.

How far apart do joists need to be on a deck?

How wide apart should decking joists be? In North America, joist spacing for residential decks is 12″ to 16″ apart, or according to local building code. Most decks require 16″ spacing for the deck itself, with 12″ spacing used for special applications, such as stairs or commercial structures.

How much does a 20x20 deck cost?

The average homeowner spends $2,200 to build a 10x10 foot deck, $6,160 to build a 14x20 deck, and $8,800 to build a 20x20 deck. The cost to build a deck with pressure-treated wood, hardwood, or composite is about $25 per square foot, for both materials and installation.

What is a good size deck?

Most builders suggest that your deck should be no larger than 20 percent of the house's* square footage. This is so that the deck does not overwhelm a home visually. This, of course, is up to you. If you feel you need a larger deck that takes up more of your yard space, feel free!

How much does a 12x12 deck cost?

A deck will cost much less than adding a similar size room to your home. For example, the cost of a 12 x12 deck. A 12 x12 deck can range in cost from $2 200 to $13 000, but the average will be $6 000. Costing $40 a square foot but can be as little as $15 or as high as $85, depending on the deck's features.

Should you leave a gap between deck boards?

Determining Deck Board Spacing

When using wood decking, you want a gap of at least 1/8 of an inch after your decking has dried out. If you're using decking that's already been dried out, you can leave a 1/8-inch gap when you install. Many decks will use “green” wood, or wood that hasn't been dried down or kiln dried.