By Chuck Ross
June 12, 2006—Back in the days when a specialty coffee was one with cream and sugar, deck contractors didn't think much about the wood they'd be using for their next project. Pressure-treated pine—or, perhaps, cedar or redwood—were all the choices most clients needed. But just as black coffee has given way to the soy, no-fat macchiato, pressure-treated pine has been joined by mahogany, ipe and other exotic species.
Determining which option best meets your clients' needs and budgets means doing some research. Each wood has advantages and disadvantages that can affect cost and construction today, as well as appearance and maintenance down the road. Experts suggest contractors and homeowners think beyond next summer's cookouts when choosing materials because a deck can represent a major home-improvement expense.
One key bit of information for any remodeling decision is the time over which the cost of the improvement can be spread. "I'd ask how long the clients are going to live there," says Ed Repak, director of construction and drafting for Archadeck, a company that franchises its deck designs through a national network of local contractors. "It's an investment decision."
Pine remains on top
Low cost and widespread availability are helping pressure-treated pine maintain its spot as the most popular deck-building material, experts say. And even if a deck’s visible surfaces are made of more costly wood, its under-framing is almost always pine, they say.
At one time, consumer worries about the arsenic used as a preservative in pine's production threatened to knock the wood from its top spot in the deck market. Lumber makers shifted to an arsenic-free process to address that concern, so pine is still widely used.
This change in the pine treatment process means builders need to use the wood differently, Repak says. Fasteners should either be stainless steel or labeled as being approved for use with the new ACQ process—not simply as appropriate for outdoor use. And, of course, despite pressure treating, pine needs periodic re-staining and re-sealing to maintain its integrity.
Cedar, redwood
Cedar and redwood are naturally rot- and insect-resistant, but these types of lumber take a bigger bite out of a budget. Cedar can cost more than twice as much as pine, and redwood can be four times as much, Repak says. Shipping costs and varying availability in different regions of the United States can affect prices, he says.
"[Cedar and redwood are] nicer looking, but cost a lot more money," says Terry Dempsey, general manager of DeckExpo, an annual convention and trade show for the deck, dock and railing industry.
Exotic tropical woods
Many consumers are looking at exotic woods for their decks. Ipe, a Brazilian product also known as ironwood, has become popular because of its extreme durability. It typically costs less than redwood, Repak says, though this may differ by region.
"It's so dense, a piece of ipe won't float in water," Dempsey says. "It's very expensive, but it will last 50 to 100 years."
This strength comes with complications. Carpenters need to pre-drill all nail holes with carbide drill tips when working with ipe, Dempsey says. That increases labor costs.
Mahogany and teak also are gaining ground as high-end deck materials. A big factor in this popularity, Repak says, is the availability of documentation showing these woods are being sustainably harvested. The Forest Stewardship Council offers certification services, important in these days of increasing interest in building with materials that have a minimal impact on the environment.
Tropical woods like ipe, mahogany and teak are easier to maintain than pine. Though exotic woods will fade to a silver-gray if left unfinished, they will retain their strength and durability without the need for periodic restaining and resealing. That’s an attractive feature to homeowners tired of the annual pressure-washing and sealing regimen. For this reason, the extra expense upfront could mean summers of lounging on the deck instead of weekends slaving over it.
Now that's an option just about anyone would choose.
Chuck Ross is a freelance writer based in Brewster, Mass. Besides building and construction, he has covered industrial topics including manufacturing.
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