| Decking is one of the most popular home | | | | but no predrilling. Lifetime is about 9-20 years with |
| improvements a homeowner will make. This | | | | regular maintenance, must purchase clear grade. The |
| undertaking requires several decisions on the part of | | | | wood properties are equally earth friendly as the pine |
| the homemaker. These decisions include how much | | | | decks. You can span more board in cedar than you |
| room is available, how much decking to make, what | | | | can in a composite deck board due to strength. The |
| decking materials to use and of course how much | | | | downfall is it may still be too soft for outdoor |
| money to invest. The deck boards are a very | | | | application and the clear grade is very pricey to |
| important part of the decision making process with | | | | purchase. |
| many choices available. In the past the choice had | | | | |
| predominately been pressure treated pine but now | | | | Ipe decking has a growing demand mainly due to |
| with new technology the choices are abundant. | | | | it’s strength, it has a janka hardness of 3680 |
| Let’s take a look at several wood decks and the | | | | compared to Cedar at 350. This gives you an idea of |
| reasons for and against them. | | | | just how hard this exotic hardwood is. Ipe also |
| | | | | known as Ironwood is originally from South America, |
| Pine decking has been a popular choice for many | | | | Central America and parts of the Caribbean. This |
| reasons. Readily available, this wood is pressure | | | | hardwood has been used in many commercial |
| treated to ensure insect control and resistance to | | | | applications such as the boardwalk in Miami for its |
| decay. Earth friendly properties of this wood include | | | | resiliency and longevity. Naturally resistant to insects, |
| the fact it produces less energy and air/water | | | | mold, fungus and decay, Ipe also has a fire spread |
| pollution than other building materials. Pine is four | | | | rating same as concrete. Lifetime of this material is |
| times stronger than plastic and is fairly easy to install | | | | over 40 years with no treatment. If you apply a UV |
| with no special tools required. Southern pine decking | | | | inhibitor to this deck you can get over 100 year life |
| is comfortable under foot when the sun is out | | | | expectancy. This deck will require very little |
| compared to the blistering temperature of many | | | | maintenance and you and your future generations |
| composite or artificial decks. The drawbacks of | | | | can actually enjoy more time entertaining and relaxing |
| course are the chemical outgas and replacement of | | | | and less time maintaining your deck area. This wood |
| this deck is usually 10-15 years if annually maintained. | | | | product provides all the same benefits as above plus |
| | | | | more. The cost is also more than pressure treated |
| Cedar decking has gained popularity due to its | | | | lumber and this board does have to be predrilled due |
| density and rich warm tones. This decking requires no | | | | to the density of the board but the longevity will |
| chemical treatment for insect resistance. The price is | | | | more than make up for the initial labor as you will not |
| about twice that of pressure treated lumber and also | | | | have to remove and reinstall a new deck in 10 -15 |
| widely used. This deck requires stainless steel screws | | | | years. |