When it is considered a hard – scape improvement, the material selection for your deck should be given some thought before going forward. This article explains the pros and cons of various popular wood types most often used in deck construction.

Redwood is a native tree grown throughout the northern and central California coast and along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in central and eastern California.

Considered a soft wood species, redwood is best known for its natural longevity and resistance to insects and decay. There colors range from light shades of pink, to ruddy deep red or brown, making redwood a beautiful wood for decking. On the sad side, as the wood is exposed to moisture, and sun, the colors fade and the wood takes on a brown and eventually a sliver gray tone overall. Once the wood is completely aged from exposure about three to four months, the general appearance is dark brown and will remain so far, a few years. However, eventually after some years, the wood turns to silver gray.

Cedar is another soft wood also grown on both coasts; it is a beautiful wood that will naturally age from a golden orange to brown to gray color. However, cedar is always easy scratched and can splinter. As a decking material is must be treated very carefully in order to maintain its good look. You may consider suing cedar for balustrades, and hand rails to complement a redwood deck, rather than the decking itself.

Another one is hardwood such as Pau Lope, also known as ironwood is an excellent choice for its structure integrity, good looks and a smooth splinter surface. However, the pau lope is difficult to work with and the oil dust it produces can be toxic, so hiring a professional deck builder with Pau Lope experience is a must.

If you are building your deck near fresh salt water, Pau Lope is an excellent choice because, unlike the redwood or cedar, Pau Lope will easily resist damage caused by moisture for as long as twenty plus years. Pau Lope is often used in commercial construction of decks, wharfs and boat docks for this reason. In case you want to build your deck, do not hesitate to contact Decking Central Coast professionals at – Decking Central Coast, Address: 3/8 Akora Road, Wyoming NSW 2250, Phone: 0240036404

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