Wood Decking

The most popular material for deck projects is pressure treated wood, by a long shot. Nearly 85% of all decks are made of it.

First of all, it is important to know exactly what pressure treated wood is. Pressure treated wood is a chemically preserved wood that keeps the wood from termite damage and rot. The most commonly used wood for pressure treating is pine wood, because it is an easier wood for the chemicals to penetrate. There are certain types of materials that are recommended for use when building with pressure treated wood. Some of these materials are hot-dip galvanized materials and stainless steel materials. Hot-dipped galvanized materials are basically steel materials that have a protective zinc coating. The thicker the coating on the materials is, the stronger the material becomes. Stainless steel materials are also good to use with pressure treated wood, but not all stainless steel materials are recommended. With the steel materials, you want to make sure you’re not using any with an excessive amount of chemicals on the surface. The advantage of pressure treated wood is that the wood will last longer due to resisting bug damage and rot, making it a more cost-effective route. If you’re going to use pressure treated wood in an area where human contact is not constant, such an outside deck or porch, than pressure treated wood is recommended. With pressure treated wood, however, there are a few disadvantages as well. Some of the cons for pressure treated wood are that it can be dangerous for human health due to the chemicals used. If you want to build a garden, where water and plants come into contact with the wood, then you want to stay away from pressure treated wood. Also, the sawdust from pressure treated wood can be an irritant for some people due to the chemicals therein. When working with pressure treated wood, you want to take more precautions. To keep PT wood looking good, regular maintenance is required — sanding, sealing, and painting or staining. It’s less maintenance if you stain it rather than paint it. Pressure treated wood is good for using on porches, decks, and anything outside that has to withstand any weather conditions. It is not safe to use pressure treated wood for gardens, or anywhere where water or food comes into constant contact with it. All in all, if you’re building a deck, pressure treated wood is a good consideration.