What type of wood is used for decks

The three common choices when it comes to wood decks are redwood, cedar and pressure-treated wood that can be made of various types of wood species. Redwood and cedar are both naturally insect and rot resistant and have a natural look, but each has its own inherent issues.

What type of wood is used for decking?

Redwood, cedar, and cypress, as well as the exotic species, are good choices, but since most decking boards from domestic woods are sapwood and not rot-resistant, you should treat them. For the deck surface, you can use 2x4s, 2x6s, or 5/4x6s.

What is the best material to use for deck boards?

#1 Pressure-Treated Wood. Among the various types of wood decking, pressure-treated lumber is the most common. …
#2 Cedar Decking. Cedar is commonly regarded as a higher-quality material than pressure-treated lumber. …
#4 Composite Decking. …
#5 Hardwoods.

Is pressure treated wood good for decks?

In all, pressure treated wood, like anything, has its good qualities and its not-so-good qualities. But, with excellent features such as its resistant to fungal decay and termites as well as its attractive price-point, pressure treated wood is an outstanding choice to use for the construction of your deck.

Can I use normal wood for decking?

You can choose from naturally durable hardwoods, naturally durable softwoods, pressure-treated softwoods, thermally modified timber or chemically modified timber. The best choice will be dependent on where the decking will be used – a good decking manufacturer can advise on this.

Which lasts longer cedar or pressure treated wood?

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.

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.

Can I use 2x6 for decking?

2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. … Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16″. Some builders reduce joist spacing to 12″ on center to strengthen the deck frame or to increase maximum allowable joist spans.

What size lumber is needed for a deck?

Commonly used joist sizes are 2-by-6, 2-by-8 and 2-by-10. For example, when you space joists 16″ apart — which is standard for residential decks — a deck spanning 9 1/2′ would require 2-by-6 joists, a 13′ deck would need 2-by-8 joists and a 16′ deck calls for 2-by-10 joists.

How thick should deck boards be?

Common deck board thickness. The most commonly used thickness for deck construction is 1-1/4”. But you can also get boards 2” thick, while there are boards only ¾” thick. It depends on the material, how flexible it is, and its hardness rate.

Article first time published on

What is the cheapest material to build a deck?

Pressure-treated wood, or chemical-treated wood, decks are generally the cheapest material to build decks with.

What is the best type of decking?

Enthusiasts of natural wood prefer hardwood decking because it is widely available, strong, lightweight, and has a naturally attractive colour that makes for a beautiful deck. The wood has naturally occurring oils and tannins that are resistant to insects and rot.

Can I use pine for decking?

Both pine and standard “white wood” lumber work well for deck construction. Some pines are nearly as resistant to rot as cedar, and both of these options take paint well. … Paint will increase the longevity of a pine deck to some extent, but cannot give the same results as cedar, redwood or treated lumber.

What decking material does not get hot?

When you’re looking for the ultimate wood decking that stays cooler in the summer, there is not a better option than Ipe. Ipe decking packs in a lot of features and is one of our top choices for many reasons. It’s a very dense wood which makes it incredibly durable and causes it retains less heat than its counterparts.

How much does Trex cost?

Trex Decking Cost Trex decking costs $1,600 to $9,600, averaging about $4,800. That’s $5 to $12 per square foot for just decking boards and $5 to $15 per square foot for installation.

Is cedar decking worth the money?

The Pros: Due to the nature of the wood’s sap, Cedar is naturally rot resistant and does not readily absorb moisture. Cedar doesn’t absorb moisture easily, making it less likely to warp or split over time. … Cedar decking is affordable.

Why is pressure treated wood cheaper?

Affordability. Pressure-treated wood is notably cheaper than cedar, redwood, and other types of wood. And, because of its durability, you’re much less likely to experience a need for costly repairs in the future. It is a great choice for those operating on a smaller budget.

How can you tell the difference between cedar and pressure treated wood?

Examine the wood for imperfections. Pressure-treated wood is made from pine, which often shows imperfections such as knots and splits. Cedar tends to be smoother and unblemished and is also less likely to warp. Look at the color of the wood if the deck has not been painted or stained.

How many boards do I need for a 12x12 deck?

You will need 18 boards of 2-by-6-inch lumber or nine 2-by-10 inch boards to build the joists, also known as the beams. You should purchase an additional 25 percent wood to allow for framing pieces and waste.

Can I use 2x8 for deck joists?

2×8 for joists will be fine, with 16″ OC. Should use 2×10 for beams but 2×8 will be fine as well. If you are worried you can triple the 2×8 for the beams but double will be sufficient. You should put the beams at 7 and 14 feet out from the house, with the piers you should do 3 per beam with spacing of 1, 7, 13.

How wide should a deck be?

A good size deck starts at 12 feet by 12 feet but can be as small as 8 feet by 8 feet for limited specialty use, such as a sitting area or a barbeque area just outside of the kitchen. Also deck should be no larger than the largest room in the house and not exceed 20% of the house square footage.

Is it better to use 2x6 or 2x8 for deck?

That’s a model deck code which includes joist span tables. If there is to be a railing, you need the joists to be at least 2x8s. 2x6s don’t have the depth needed to resist the leverage that can be placed on a railing post bolted to them.

What is the most common deck board size?

The most common or standard deck board width is 6-inch wide planks based on square-foot coverage, labor, and material cost.

Can I use 2x8 for decking boards?

Q: Can I use 2×8 treated lumber as deck boards? A: No, that’s a not a good idea. Lumber wider than 6 inches should not be used as a flat surface. Wide, flat boards have a tendency to pool rain water, which can lead to cupping problems.

Should I Gap My deck boards?

Proper wood deck board spacing should have at least a 1/8 inch gap after the decking has dried out. If you install your wood or treated deck boards while they are still wet boards, then they should be attached without a gap between them.

Can you use 2x10 for deck boards?

Editor’s Comment’s: There is certainly no problem using the 2x10s for any of the structural framing of the deck. Using 2×10 treated lumber for decking is another matter entirely.

How can I do decking cheaply?

Plastic or PVC Decking might be a good option if you want to cut down on the cost. …
Rubber Paving is another popular option in British gardens. …
Concrete and Stone Decking is also a popular alternative, though many people may see this as a simple alternative to a patio.

What is the average cost of building a deck?

The average price range of building a new deck in the United States can be anywhere between $4,000 and $11,000. Including materials and labor, a standard deck will cost roughly $30-$60 per square foot. That means, for a standard 14 x 20 foot deck, you can expect to pay around $6,000.

What is the labor cost to build a deck?

Labor Cost to Build a Deck A deck can significantly increase the value of your home. However, labor is a significant aspect of the total cost. The cost of labor to build a deck ranges from $8 to $22 per square foot.

What's the best timber for decking?

In general, pressure-treated timber is one of the best options for decking frames due to its cheap cost. Softwoods, such as Cedar and Redwood, are good choices for framing as well, especially if you want a more sustainable and safer option.