What Is the Best Wood for Decks? (8 Ideas With Pictures)

When you are searching to include a deck to your residence, you want to do it proper. It is a large project, and it is not precisely anything that you can very easily swap if you really don't like what you see.

Since it is so essential for you to use the proper type of wood the very first time, we developed this extensive listing to spotlight 8 of the greatest possibilities out there. With any of these woods, you can be lounging out on your deck taking pleasure in the working day in no time!

The 8 Best Woods for Deck and Decking

1. Cedar

There’s a purpose that cedar is at the prime of the record, as it is a great selection that expertly combines affordability with longevity and look. It’s widely accessible, so you should not have any problems tracking it down, and if you’re seeking to put in the deck yourself, it’s straightforward to perform with.

While a lot of folks love the physical appearance of cedar decks, what cements its location at the best of this checklist is its longevity and how effortless it is to treatment for. It’s insect- and decay-resistant and not often warps or cracks.

It doesn’t have a ton of care specifications either all you want to do is pressure-clean it about once a year, and you need to be great to go! Nevertheless, while there is plenty to enjoy about cedar, it’s not ideal.

The primary disadvantage to cedar is that it’s a softwood. Even though that aids keep it from splintering or cracking with temperature changes, it is vulnerable to damage. This can guide to splintering if you are pulling objects alongside the deck or in any other case placing added stressors on the deck.

Still, it’s number one on this listing for a explanation, and even without having a lot treatment, it must very last amongst 15 and twenty years!

2. Redwood

Redwood is a phenomenal option to contemplate for your deck. It’s comparable in virtually each and every way to cedar, so the only determining aspect that you need to have to make in between the two is which 1 you like a lot more!

The two woods are very effortless to care for and resistant to decay. Just like with cedar, all you generally need to have to do to care for a redwood deck is to pressure-wash it about when a 12 months. It should not be tough to locate redwood, and it is a comparatively simple wooden to operate with.

Redwood is also insect- and decay-resistant, so it’s not hard to see why it is a single of the best choices out there. Even now, just like cedar, redwood is a softwood that can splinter very easily, dependent on what you’re undertaking on it.

It does not splinter normally from temperature adjustments, but it can blacken more than time if you don’t keep up with the force washing. But if you favor the all round look of redwood more than cedar, it’s these kinds of a modest big difference that it should not impact your decision.

3. Pine

If you are hunting for a single of the most affordable decking options out there, look no more than pine — or to be particular, dealt with pine. Regular pine is really vulnerable to rot and warping out in the aspects, but handled pine is much more tough.

While it is not the longest-long lasting decision out there, pine is so reasonably priced and easily offered that it’s easily the most widespread variety of wood utilised in decks. Contractors also really like doing work with it, and it’ll typically reduced labor rates.

Dealt with pine is a wonderful hardwood decision for decks since it’s easy to treatment for, and you can very easily paint it or stain it to get whatsoever visual appeal you are searching for.

Nonetheless, it’s a lot more susceptible to warping, discoloring, and cracking over time, and consequently, the routine maintenance maintenance is a bit much more intensive. This is particularly real when you think about that it’s not insect resistant like numerous other options out there.

You are going to want to set in the perform to protect it 12 months soon after yr, which indicates a lot more labor for you. But as the most affordable-priced selection out there, it’s still a fantastic choice.

4. Ipe

If you’re not concerned about how much your new deck is likely to cost, consider an exotic wood like ipe. It’s an environmentally welcoming wooden that can endure just about everything. Not only is it warp, insect, crack, and mold resistant, but it is also fire resistant!

Although you are likely to devote significantly far more on this deck up entrance, the reality that it lasts about 2 times as prolonged as a cedar, redwood, or pine deck will help offset the value. But what actually sets ipe aside from other woods has nothing at all to do with its longevity — it’s all about the visual appeal.

Ipe is higher-high quality wood. Also, each and every piece is just like the final, and that provides the whole deck a a lot more uniform visual appeal that you simply can not match with other woods. However, it’s high-priced and calls for a bit a lot more servicing for upkeep.

You are going to want to make an active energy to clear off particles to maintain it in its perfect condition. But if you’re looking for a deck that stands out from the relaxation, contemplate ipe.

5. Red Tauari

Crimson tauari is an unique wood variety that you can use to set your deck aside from everything else close to. It is a lengthy-lasting deck, however really do not expect it to very last quite as long as Ipe. The tradeoff is that a crimson tauari deck is much less difficult to preserve.

It’s insect, mold, warping, cracking, and chip resistant, so there’s not significantly that you need to do to care for it year after year. It has an extraordinary appearance that will help your deck stand out, which is the main marketing position for red tauari.

Even so, whilst it will final a bit lengthier than pine, cedar, or redwood, it doesn’t final extended enough to financially justify the massive uptick in price tag. Even now, if you really like the seem and have the money, it is a lovely deck that you do not need to do considerably to treatment for!

6. Mahogany

Mahogany may not be as costly as ipe or crimson tauari, but that doesn’t suggest it is a minimal-priced option. Compared to the more exotic woods, although, it’s far more affordable and simpler to get your hands on.

Even so, the tradeoff for a lot of installers is that mahogany is a demanding wood to set up. You may have to discover a special contractor to set it in for you, or you might have to shell out more in labor expenses. Either one will drive up the cost.

But when you have compensated for it, mahogany can make a gorgeous deck alternative that you really don't want to do much to treatment for. It is also a prolonged-long lasting option and is rot and decay resistant.

If you can manage it, go for it!

7. Tigerwood

If you are hunting for the most exclusive deck out there, go with tigerwood. It has a striped physical appearance in every single slat of wood that appears superb, and it is a phenomenal way to consider the appearance of your deck to the next level.

Even greater, tigerwood is a single of the best decks to preserve. There is nearly absolutely nothing that you require to do to it year after year, and in contrast to several other unique woods, it’s a more cost-effective selection. But maintain in mind that an affordable unique wooden is still far more expensive than traditional possibilities like pine and cedar.

Usually, it is not the price tag that keeps men and women away from tigerwood, but instead its availability. Tigerwood isn’t as easy to uncover as cedar, redwood, or numerous other hardwoods, and considering that it’s also far more tough to set up, not every single contractor will work with it.

Nevertheless, after you have observed a tigerwood deck, you will fall in enjoy with it, so do the added homework to find an installer who will set it in for you!

8. Composite Wood

Composite wood is a increasing development in the decking planet, and as technologies enhance, it is likely only to become even more well-known. Composite wooden might have wood in its title, but it’s the only selection on this checklist that technically isn’t a “wood deck.”

While composite wood does have elements, it’s also produced with several other merchandise, like resins and enamels. This helps make composite wooden more expensive than standard wood decks, and you do not get that “natural” wooden search.

Still, composite wood is a lot easier to preserve, and it usually lasts about 5 to 10 years for a longer time than a conventional wood deck. Composite wooden is completely resistant to various weather conditions problems, and you don’t have to be concerned about splintering or rotting.

An additional perk of composite wooden is that it will come in tons of diverse hues, so it opens up your deck to a total new host of appearances. Ahead of settling for a conventional wood deck, check out out the composite alternatives accessible.

Conclusion

Who does not really like a gorgeous deck exactly where you can devote your working day off? With any of these wood choices, you can relaxation straightforward. Whilst cedar is prime of this record, it does not suggest that any of the other woods would not make a great option.

So, what are you waiting around for? Go in advance and get commenced on your new deck as before long as feasible so you can head out and loosen up!

Highlighted Impression Credit rating: RichardMc, Pixabay