| Will your new deck be an enhancement? The answer | | | | Ipe: |
| depends on the type of decking material you use. | | | | Ipé is an almost magical South American hardwood. |
| Pressure-treated pine resists rot and repels pests, | | | | Ipé top marks for bug- and rot-resistance, and the |
| but the green-tinged lumber is unsightly and the | | | | wood is so hard that, it is nearly as difficult to burn |
| pesticides it contains may be unhealthy. To build a | | | | as concrete. The use of rain forest woods is |
| safer, more attractive deck, choose a prettier yet | | | | controversial, however. If you choose Ipé for your |
| still durable lumber for the flooring, railings, and other | | | | deck, make sure that it has been harvested |
| steps. Save the pressure treated wood for the | | | | responsibly well. |
| frame and supports. There are some collections such | | | | Mock Lumber: |
| as Western Red Cedar, Redwood, Philippine | | | | Modern alternatives for outdoor decking include |
| Mahogany, Ipé, Mock Lumber etc. | | | | plastic polymer and wood-polymer composites. |
| Western Red Cedar | | | | Synthetic materials are virtually bug-proof and rot |
| Western Red Cedar is reddish brown and ages to | | | | proof, but even the most realistic imitation will always |
| silvery gray. The soft wood splinters easily, but holds | | | | be just that - an imitation. |
| up well in rain, sun, and cold. To add beauty and | | | | How to clean a best wood deck: |
| durability to your cedar deck, always use a | | | | Cleaning wood deck is not a tough job. For cleaning |
| penetrating stain. | | | | only hardwood, pine, or pressure treated decks, use |
| Redwood | | | | just Wood Sweep excess debris (dirt and leaves) off |
| Like cedar, redwood is a soft lumber that age to a | | | | the deck. Wet the deck surface down with clean |
| pleasing gray. Prolonged moisture will cause the wood | | | | water from the hose. Dissolve Wood & Deck |
| to be blacken. A redwood deck will resist rot, but will | | | | Cleaner in warm water at the recommended |
| look more attractive if you use a sealer. | | | | strength. After waiting for several minutes for the |
| Philippine Mahogany: | | | | product to dissolve and activate, apply with a mop or |
| Philippine mahogany is a tight-grained hardwood that | | | | sprayer. Let the product sit on the deck surface for |
| resists pests and rot. Treat it with marine oil and it | | | | at least 10 minutes, making sure to keep the deck |
| looks like teak. Or, let's be your mahogany deck age | | | | wet with more products if it begins to dry out. |
| to a silvery hue. | | | | |