If you are currently looking to have a new deck built or to re-build your current deck, you need to start by choosing the type of wood you want. While many decks use hardwood, you can also choose from a few different types of softwood. Softwood comes from conifer trees, which are a type of broadleaved tree. Here are some types of softwood to consider for your deck.
Western Red Cedar
A popular softwood used for many different types of wood decks is Western red cedar. A great thing about this type of wood is that aside from its name, it is not only available in different shades or reds and browns, but also a gray color is well. No matter what style deck you are going for, you will find a colour and finish that works great for your vision. Red cedar is great if you live somewhere with extreme temperatures and frequent rain. However, keep in mind that the wood easily splinters.
Redwood
With redwood, it also begins with a reddish colour and eventually turns gray. However, if you don't like this colour, you can repaint it later on. Since it is such a soft wood, it may turn a darker black colour if it is exposed to moisture for long periods of time. This is something to think about if you live somewhere that gets a lot of rain or humidity. Sealing redwood can help hold onto its colour longer. Redwood also has many benefits for a deck, including being highly durable and not being susceptible to pests and rot.
Douglas Fir
While douglas fir is a softwood often chosen for wood projects, including decks. This type of wood has interesting, vertical grains. It looks beautiful with many different styles of home, particularly historic homes. It is very durable, available in many locations, and has just a few knots in the wood grain. If it expands due to moisture, it will do so evenly so it still has a high-quality condition.
Aside from these woods, your deck can also be made from soft pine, such as Eastern pine, sugar pine, Western white pine, and white pine. If you want a long-lasting wood that can withstand moisture and pests, choose treated pine. This is chemically treated to withstand many different situations, from termites and carpenter ants, to moisture damage, mold and mildew, and damage from various weather conditions.
For more information, contact a company like Van Steensel Timbers Pty Ltd.
Share9 February 2016
My yard is in the shade of both of my neighbour's homes for most of the day which makes it quite hard to grow some of my favourite plants. Even though the yard is shady I still want it to have some nice look ground cover and be a cool place to entertain people. I have used a combination of shade resistant plants and pavers to create a lovely space that is good for entertaining all year round. This blog has some tips on creating a pleasant atmosphere in your shady backyard, particularly if you have a yard that is too shady to grow many kinds of plants.