A wood deck is undoubtedly a quintessential addition to your home. A spacious, well-crafted deck is not only a perfect haven for outdoor relaxation and family gatherings, but it also enhances your property’s curb appeal and resale value. In the event that you decide to market your home for sale, a wooden deck can potentially provide a high ROI of about 80% as opposed to having a composite deck. But if you’re planning to build a wood deck, you must identify the right material to use. You need to choose the right wood decking board that can blend well with your home and the surrounding landscape. Plus, it should fit your budget and lifestyle. Several wood decking boards are readily available in the market. So, in today’s blog, let’s explore your options and find out which wood decking board is right for your home.
Pressure-Treated Wood Decking Board
Pressure-treated lumber is a classic cost-efficient decking board and widely used by contractors and homeowners across the US. The great thing about pressure-treated wood is that it can be easily available and offer many dimensions to choose from. And because it is accessible in the market these days, you can pick it up yourself, so you don’t need to shell out delivery costs. In most cases, pressure-treated lumbers are softwoods, making them less challenging to drill and cut. However, because they are soft, these woods are prone to cracks and splinters if you do not maintain them regularly. You should also take extra precautions when cutting this type of decking board due to its preservative content. If you love the appearance of pressure-treated wood, it is recommendable to opt for higher-grade types as they are treated at the mills with pre-stained and water repellents. This makes your wood deck less prone to shrinking, twisting, or warping. If in doubt, you can always ask a professional deck contractor near you.
Redwood Decking Board
Unlike pressure-treated lumber, redwood is becoming difficult to find. This decking board can also be used for play structures and fences. What’s great about redwood is that it does not require any preservative to keep it in great shape. It has natural preservatives and remains stunning whether you want to finish it or leave it as-is. It contains minimal to no resins, which allows it to retain its color and finish. Plus, it has a good span strength, especially when you maintain it properly. The downside of a redwood decking board is that it is so hard to obtain, making it a less desirable option for wood decking. And because it is not accessible in the open market, you can expect that redwood is quite expensive. Also, redwood will start to get splintery over time, which can be unsuitable and uncomfortable if you walk on it with bare feet.
Ipe Wood Decking Board
Ipe is an exotic premium wood known to be tough and hard. It is also called Brazilian walnut, ipe tabaco, bethabara, or tabebuia serratifolia. Ipe is extremely strong and durable and has a great lifespan. It appears as an elegant dark-brown wood, which maintains its look with so little upkeep. In most cases, a wood deck made of ipe offers a good resale value because of its premium-look and higher price tag. This is particularly beneficial if you decide to sell your property in the near future. However, ipe has major drawbacks as well. Because of its hardness, it is so challenging to work with. It is difficult to cut and drill, which can blunt tools. To install an ipe decking, clips are needed to fasten each board to the joist, driving the cost up. In addition to this, ipe is not normally available in local stores. Unless you live in an area where the ipe supplier is abundant, you need to shell out the additional cost in delivery. Not to mention that the product itself is expensive.
Pallet Wood Decking Board
A pallet is normally constructed of softwoods and is left outside after its use to create a distinct silvery-gray appearance with signs of distress like rusty marks of nails. Pallet wood is a budget-friendly option for wood decking. However, it is a very poor choice for deck floor material. While it might be easy to find and has trendy appeal, a pallet is structurally weak. Any inevitable holes, protrusions, and splinters may occur, which makes it so uncomfortable to walk on. Also, some pallet woods have hazardous substances or greases embedded in them.
Cedar Wood Decking Board
Cedar has been used as a decking material for generations. This type of decking board contains oil and has a natural resistance to insects and rot. If you leave the cedar wood decking untreated, it can still preserve its look and structural integrity for years. Aside from decking boards, you can also use cedar for vertical elements such as privacy fencing, balustrade, and other structures like planters and pergolas. Since cedar weathers naturally, some people may find it unattractive. A distinctive silvery-gray tone of cedar may look unpleasant. Also, there are some instances that the correct sizes of cedar decking boards may be difficult to find in the open market.
Hem-Fir Decking Board
Hem-fir is a cost-effective decking board option, but it needs extra precaution when using it. This type of material is not a species cross-breed. If you see a stack of hem-fir in the market, it may be fir or hemlock. This is because Amabilis fir and Western hemlock typically grow and exist in the same forests. They look very much identical, so mills manufacture them together. The good thing about hem-fir is that it has an excellent joist distance span. Not only it is budget-friendly, but it is also strong and easy to obtain. However, maintaining and preserving a hem-fir is quite difficult. You must treat the wood with a preservative or prime and paint it. It needs constant maintenance to keep it in pristine condition. Also, several dimensions are not suitable for deck flooring needs. But if you really want a hem-fir, you need to talk to a professional deck contractor near you.
Final Thoughts
In choosing the best decking board for your home, there is no definite right or wrong answer. It always boils down to your preference, lifestyle, and budget. You just need to do your own research, so you will know the possible pros and cons of each option and eventually end up with a wise decision. Also, an expert’s advice is very helpful as you can derive better recommendations and pricing regarding the material of your choice. And if you are looking for one today, feel free to talk to us. Deck Ready is always ready to provide you excellent deck craftsmanship, so you can have a better outdoor living experience.
Several wood decking boards are readily available in the market. So, in today’s blog, let’s explore your options and find out which wood decking board is right for your home. 
The downside of a redwood decking board is that it is so hard to obtain, making it a less desirable option for wood decking. And because it is not accessible in the open market, you can expect that redwood is quite expensive. Also, redwood will start to get splintery over time, which can be unsuitable and uncomfortable if you walk on it with bare feet. 
Since cedar weathers naturally, some people may find it unattractive. A distinctive silvery-gray tone of cedar may look unpleasant. Also, there are some instances that the correct sizes of cedar decking boards may be difficult to find in the open market. 