| In the not so distant past, decking did not enjoy the | | | | equipment to use CCA pressure treated lumber. Most |
| longevity it does today. Advancements in deck | | | | cities and towns have now replaced these poisonous |
| sealants, stains, and pressure treating wood have | | | | structures with metal or synthetic equipment. |
| greatly enhanced the durability and appearance of | | | | Because of this danger, most larger home |
| the modern day deck. Proper annual or seasonal | | | | improvement store chains have now switched from |
| maintenance is still required to ensure a quality deck | | | | stocking CCA treated wood to a more benign type |
| retains its quality over time. Choosing a better | | | | of pressure treated wood. Fantastic alternatives to |
| species of wood is the first place to start. A "better" | | | | using pressure treated lumber are naturally resistant |
| species of wood is one which is more resilient to the | | | | woods such as cedar, cypress, and high-grade |
| harsh elements. There are only a few areas which do | | | | redwood. |
| not receive a vast variety of temperature or climate | | | | Again, every home owner needs to be aware of any |
| changes. The majority of the U.S. is much like what | | | | pressure treated lumber used on their property, |
| North Carolina experiences year round. Temperatures | | | | especially if gardening is being used to provide fruits, |
| ranging from freezing to hot can cause repeated and | | | | vegetables, and herbs. Once the soil is contaminated |
| rapid contraction and expansion of deck lumber. | | | | with CCA treated lumber, it should never be used |
| Coupled with wet or icy conditions, most basic | | | | again for the growing of foods. If the existing deck |
| lumber, regardless of being pressure treated, will | | | | or structure is not known to be CCA free, the home |
| begin to show signs of age. What determines how | | | | owner needs to assume that the ground has been |
| quickly the custom deck will wear is the type of | | | | contaminated. The deck builder which installed the |
| wood used. | | | | deck should have this information readily available, if |
| The most commonly used types of decking lumber | | | | not voluntarily informing the customer. |
| are pine, fir, cypress, and cedar. There are many | | | | A newer alternative to wood is synthetic lumber or |
| more choices such as mahogany, redwood, and | | | | composite lumber. These alternatives use recycled |
| exotic lumbers. The more inexpensive of these types | | | | lumber combined with epoxies and resins to form |
| are pine, fir, and cypress. Regional location is factored | | | | lumber substitutes. Synthetic lumber is considered a |
| into lumber pricing. For example, redwood should be | | | | green and ecologically responsible alternative to |
| less expensive in the western U.S. than it would in | | | | deforestation. It can often be difficult to differentiate |
| New England. | | | | synthetic lumber from the genuine article once it has |
| Pressure treated pine decking, or PT lumber, can be | | | | been installed. Sealing composite decking is not |
| found in almost every hardware store or home | | | | necessary to maintain the durability, appearance and |
| improvement store. In years past, pressure treated | | | | strength. |
| lumber was commonly treated with chromated | | | | Regardless of the type of lumber used in a deck |
| copper arsenate, or CCA. Unfortunately, this widely | | | | installation, gazebo or other outdoor structure, if |
| used type of treating was proven to be carcinogenic | | | | actual wood is used, sealing the wood with a water |
| and very toxic due to arsenate leaching into | | | | repellent sealer is a good idea. When purchasing any |
| groundwater, plants, and skin through repeated | | | | lumber or having a professional deck builder construct |
| prolonged exposure. | | | | the deck, be sure to ask how best to maintain the |
| It was quite common for many parks and playground | | | | specific type of lumber used. |