Don’t forget these following factors in making decision for buying decking lumber products: size, cost, style and maintenance.
We talked to one of the best lumber and decking materials expert from across the country to find out how to choose a decking material.
How to Buy decking Lumber
- Buy wood that's dry
- Avoid treated lumber that has a lot of heartwood
- Buy pressure-treated lumber with the right amount of treatment for the job
- When buying cedar or redwood decking, select boards cut from heartwood
- Consider all three dimensions when selecting your deck boards
- Use posts with some heft, especially if your deck is more than 2 ft. off the ground
- Buy straight, solid 2x12s for your stair jacks
- Every type of deck board has its pros and cons
- A little curve, twist or crown to your joists is OK (but “scalped edges” and uneven depths are a pain)
- Perfect deck lumber doesn't need to be perfect