Common Types of Wooden Decks 5/5 (2)

The Types of Wooden Decks

Wood is the most accepted choice for decks. It’s gorgeous, strong, durable, and easy to work with. A downside to wood is it’s vulnerability to moisture damage. Deck boards should be checked frequently for splits, cracks, splinters, or raised nails which may point to a potential moisture problem.

The best way to prevent problems with your wooden deck is to have it stained, sealed, and maintained. The following are some different types of woods that are commonly used for decks.

Cedar Wood

Cedar Decks: The wood from this robust, coniferous evergreen tree is a common favorite for decks. Not only is it beautiful, but it also has a wonderful aroma. Cedar is also extremely resilient. For wood, cedar is actually pretty soft and has a grain that is both complex and striking.

After a thorough cleaning, a cedar deck should be sealed. Deck sealer colors that work primarily well with cedar are redwood or cedar tinted. These sealer colors permit the natural grain of the wood to show through, while still providing adequate protection.

Redwood

Redwood: Used frequently in construction, redwood is (as the name suggests) a reddish-colored wood. That is otherwise

very similar to cedar. It is also a trendy choice for constructing a wooden deck.

Pressure Treated Pine

Pressure Treated Pine: This long-needled tree provides what is probably the most widely used wood for deck construction. The phrase “pressure treated” refers to lumber that has been chemically treated to deter insects. The previously mentioned woods, cedar, and redwood are never treated due to their nature.

The downsides to pressure-treated wood are rapid staining, splitting, and inconsistent appearance due to the many chemicals that are in the wood. It’s always a good idea to have your pressure-treated deck cleaned and sealed.

Pine works well with many colors of wood sealer. Similar to cedar and redwood, there are natural colors that can enhance the natural grain and color of pine. Pine is popular due to its versatility and much lower cost compared to other deck woods.

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Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993 Owner

Scott Paul is the founder and owner of DeckStainHelp.com. He has worked in exterior wood and deck restoration since 1993, when he started Oakland Pressure Wash in Metro Detroit, and has restored more than 10,000 decks over three decades in the field. Everything reviewed here is tested the way a contractor tests it: applied to real wood, in real weather, and watched over multiple seasons. No manufacturer pays for a review, a rating, or a placement on this site. Read Scott's full bio and the list of sites he operates.

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