Nothing says summer quite like family BBQs. It can be hard to throw family festivities in the yard without a deck. The ground doesn’t make a stable place to put chairs and tables after all.
You can pay someone to build a deck for you or you can create your own. Either way, the most important aspect of having one is choosing the best wood for decking. You need something that’s going to last a while without rotting or breaking apart.
We can help you choose the best materials. Check out this guide for a few great wood choices for an outdoor deck.
1. Ipe
Ipe Decking will last in your yard for up to 75 years without you having to do much maintenance to it. It’s a hardwood that’s pretty much bug, fire, and rot-resistant which makes it the best wood for decks.
The only downside to using Ipe is that it’s pretty heavy so it’s hard to work with. That aside, it looks beautiful when accompanied by slate and stone and the benefits you’ll receive will be well worth the minor inconvenience.
2. Western Red Cedar
Red cedar has an excellent resistance to decay. After a few years, the wood will transform from a brownish red to a silvery gray color. If that’s an issue you can preserve the color by staining it.
It does well against the sun, rain, cold, and heat. It does splinter pretty easy which is something you’ve got to watch out for but all in all, it’s a great deck wood to work with.
3. Redwood
Redwood is soft and durable. Like cedar, it will fade into a nice gray color as the years go on. What makes redwood such a good choice for decks is that it doesn’t really rot.
Due to rain and moisture, it will turn black after a little while though. You can solve this problem by protecting it with a sealer.
4. Mahogany
Mahogany is a tropical wood that is strong against pests and rot. As it ages, it will begin to turn silver.
You can prevent this by using marine oil or you can just let it happen. Whatever you prefer.
There are a lot of different types of mahogany out there that each come with their own set of pros and cons. Which one you choose will all depend on what you want out of your deck.
5. Tigerwood
Tigerwood is a bit strange but it still makes a good deck choice. The softness and color can vary from board to board.
The inconsistency can make it a little difficult to build with. At the same time, it can give your deck a pretty unique look too.
Choosing the Best Wood for Decking Your Home
There’s so much more that you can do with your yard if you build a deck. It can be an investment though. You need to make sure you use the best wood for decking to make the expense worth it.
Kick your project off right by using one of the gorgeous and durable woods on this list.
A deck isn’t the only must-have add-on for your house. Check out the architecture section of our blog daily for more great ideas.
