Is pressure treated wood good for decks?
In all, pressure treated wood, like anything, has its good qualities and its not-so-good qualities. But, with excellent features such as its resistant to fungal decay and termites as well as its attractive price-point, pressure treated wood is an outstanding choice to use for the construction of your deck.
How long should a pressure treated wood deck last?
It depends on the climate, the type of wood, its uses, and how well it’s maintained. While pressure treated poles can stay up to 40 years without any signs of rot or decay, decks and flooring might only last around 10 years.
Should pressure treated wood feel wet?
Recently, pressure treated lumber will have a high moisture content and may take several weeks to dry. Staining pressure-treated wood is ineffective if the wood is still wet. “Wet-treated wood” still contains significant moisture when purchased and may take longer to dry than other types of pressure treated wood.
Can I leave my deck untreated?
It is highly unlikely that the deck will rot, splinter or decay if you choose not to have it finished and you can always choose to stain and protect the deck at a later date.
Can pressure treated wood get rained on?
While the chemicals in pressure treated lumber prevent rot and ward off insects, they don’t prevent moisture from seeping into the wood. On a deck that’s going to be directly exposed to rain, water can seep into the boards and cause them to swell. As they dry in the sun, they’ll shrink.
What happens if you paint pressure treated wood too soon?
But, the catch is that you should not paint treated wood too soon after it has been purchased. If you paint treated wood while it is still wet, your coat of primer or paint will most likely be rejected by the water-borne chemicals slowly bleeding their way out of the lumber.
What time of year should you build a deck?
During the fall season you can take advantage of the “off-season” that occurs when many builders aren’t receiving as many jobs, making them more available to complete projects than in the spring or summer. Building a deck in fall leads to less of a negative impact on your landscape.
What is the best wood for building a deck?
Cedar is the most commonly used wood as it is rot resistant which means that it can keep your deck intact for a long period of time.
What is the cheapest wood for a deck?
PT lumber is the cheapest decking option, cedar wood is middle of the road, while PVC composite and natural redwood are on the higher end of the price spectrum. Most expensive, however, are exotic wood decks made out of Ipe and Tigerwood.
What is the best material for a deck?
The most commonly used decking materials are composite decking, pressure-treated (PT) wood, and plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) decking. Deciding which material is best depends on a number of factors that are specific to each homeowner’s unique situation.
What is the cheapest deck material?
Pressure-treated wood is generally the cheapest decking material you can find, but it’s usually made from inferior-grades of wood. $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot. Cedar is widely available and makes for beautiful decking.