Selecting The Best Wood for Outdoor Decks and Porches

Outdoor decks are common in most of the modern houses in America and other developed countries around the world. Decking is generally made using solid wood or plywood, depending on the preferences and budget. The type of wood that is used to make an outdoor deck will have an impact on how the decking looks as well as on how durable and stone it is, which is why choosing the best wood for outdoor decks and porches is essential.

Why Use Wood for Outdoor Decking

Solid wood decking made from high-quality timber will naturally have more durability, will look superior and last longer than anything else.

In many cases and depending on the type, you can get natural solid wood for decking at a lesser price than what you’d have to pay for alternatives such as composite decking.

While a wood deck is easy to customise, colour and stain to meet the changing styles, the same is not true for composite and other wood deckings, which are not easy and may cost a lot to change their appearance.

Another benefit of using wood for decks is that being a biodegradable material wood is friendly to the environment. Also, wood decks absorb carbon and thus have a much lower carbon footprint.

Factors to Consider When Selecting The Best wood for Outdoor Deck

Here are some of the things to consider before choosing the best outdoor wood especially when buying a decking wood.

Appearance

The appearance of wood for decking is of course a priority for many property owners, but make sure that this is not your first priority. More than how the material looks you should pay attention to how strong and durable the wood is. It is possible to find a balance between appearance and durability.

Cost

Before starting to search for the right wood for your decking, set a budget. Try and keep in line with your budget when exploring your options. If you are getting a good deal for a better quality timber, which is slightly above your budget but you can afford it, go for it. If you think wood decks are costly, there are cheaper options available such as pressure-treated pine that would still work better than composite and is resistant to rot and pests.

Durability

Durability and quality of wood should be your number one priority for decking material. Because the decking would be used outside, it is likely to be in constant exposure to sun, rain and other kinds of weather conditions, which is why wood for decking must be absolutely durable and strong.

Resistance

Outdoor wood decking must be resistant to moisture, insects and rot. Unless you are willing to replace your deck frequently, you must invest in a good quality deck material that will accompany you for at least a few years or decades.

Maintenance

High maintenance is another problem with some wooden decks. However, solid wood decks require lesser maintenance as compared to composite decks and durable wood can easily survive for decades without needing a lot of care.

Even in solid wood, there are many options when it comes to selecting the right wood for decking. Here we talk about some of the best wood species for outdoor decks.

Best Wood for Outdoor Decks & Porches

1. Cedar

cedar decking wood
Despite being softwood, cedar is very durable and resistant to moisture, which makes it one of the best woods for decking. The wood is also resistant to rot and needs very little maintenance when used for outdoor applications. Cedar is so compatible with moisture changes that it won’t easily warp or crack even in areas with hard freezing conditions.

Cedar decks have a naturally beautiful look and can be easily stained to try many options in terms of appearance. They need little maintenance and would easily last 15-20 years with good care. Cedar wood is moderately priced and available in many locations around the world. For the best price for wholesale cedar timber, contact CameroonTimberExportSarl.

2. Ipe

ipe decking wood
Ipe is one of the hardest and strongest woods in the world and has extremely high durability along with resistance to a variety of bugs and rot. It is ideal for wood decking because of its dense structure and high durability and will easily last for decades with basic care. It is very strong and resistant to termites, decay and fire. As a rainforest wood, Ipe is not easily available in all locations.

3. Redwood

redwood decking wood
Redwood is one of the most popular alternatives to cedar for building outdoor decks. It has properties similar to cedar. For example, the wood is very durable and strong and the natural oils of redwood make it resistant to moisture, rot, and insects. Redwood looks beautiful and is one of the best options for those looking for natural wood decking. Redwood decks need basic care. Pressure washing once a year and staining every couple of years would keep your decks looking attractive and make them last for years. Contact CameroonTimberExportSarl to enquire about the latest price for redwood timber.

4. Pressure Treated Wood

pressure treated decking wood
Pressure treated wood, as the name suggests, is natural wood treated with high pressure and/or chemicals to increase its durability and resistance to rot, insects, moisture, etc. Pressure treated pine and douglas fir are the two most popular options used for decking. This type of decking wood is both affordable and very good in terms of durability. Depending on the type, they can easily last for years and need less maintenance.

5. Mahogany

mahogany decking wood
Mahogany is one of the tropical hardwoods that are popular for decking. This is a tight-grained hardwood with high durability and good resistance to pests and rot. Mahogany can be easily stained or oiled to give it whatever look you want. Even the natural appearance is beautiful and the wood ages nicely to a silvery hue. Mahogany is one of the best options for decks because it is inexpensive and widely available.

6. Composite Wood

composite decking wood
Composite is a growingly popular option for building outdoor decks. Composite wood is an artificial product created by combining a variety of products such as wood fibre/wood flour and thermoplastic. It is made to look like wood. One of the reasons for the growing popularity of composite wood decking is its easy availability. Because natural, sustainable wood options are limited, people have to go for artificial alternatives like composite. But, that does not mean that it’s a bad option. In fact, composite decks can be created to look as good or even better than wood decks. Also, they need less maintenance. However, you should not expect your composite deck to look as appealing or premium as a real wood deck.

Need help choosing the best wood for outdoor decks or ready to buy top quality wood for decking? Contact CameroonTimberExportSarl to buy timber at the best price in the market with doorstep delivery anywhere in the world.