Different Types of Wood Decks

Cedar: The wood from this large, coniferous evergreen tree is a popular favorite for decks. It not only looks and smells wonderful, it is also extremely durable. The texture of cedar is soft, and the grain of cedar is intricate and beautiful. Cedar produces natural tannins that are thought to be naturally resistant to insects. These tannins, however, can spot, especially after rainfalls, and this continues until the wood becomes fully acclimatized (about three years). Sealer colors that work particularly well with cedar are the natural redwood or cedar tinted, or clear. These sealers allow the natural grain of the wood to show through, while at the same time protecting the wood through a color tint.

Redwood: Used frequently in timber construction, redwood is (as the name suggests) a reddish wood. Outside of the color, redwood is very similar to cedar.

Pressure- Treated Pine: This term refers to wood that has been chemically treated to ward off insects and rot. Cedar and redwood are never treated. The drawbacks to using pressure treated wood are rapid discoloration, prone to splitting, and many chemicals are in the wood that can discolor it. As with all woods, it is always best to have your pressure treated wood seasoned, cleaned, and sealed so that these natural drawbacks can be avoided.

Pine: This long-needled tree also has wood that is very popular in deck construction. Pine varies from very soft wood, as with the white pine, to very hard wood, as in the long leaf pine. Usually pressure treated for deck construction, pine is very versatile, cheaper than cedar or redwood, and dependable. Depending on personal preference, pine works well with any color sealer. As with cedar, there are natural colors that can enhance the natural grain and color of the wood.

RECONSTITUTED WOOD PRODUCTS 

Hardboard, a relatively heavy type of fiberboard, is a popular siding product. Continuous film coatings are recommended on this substrate, not stains. However, water soluble extractives in the product may leach through paints causing a discoloration. Acrylic latex stain blocking primers and one or two acrylic latex topcoats are recommended. Pre-primed hardboard must be primed again on-site before top coating. Storage of the product under fluctuating moisture conditions will cause a dislodging of the surface fibers (the primer cannot inhibit this) resulting in an unstable surface. Re-priming will help stabilize the surface and will help in avoiding early paint failure.

Other reconstituted products, including waferboard, strandboard. (OSB) and flakeboard, are difficult to coat successfully unless the surfaces are treated or overlaid specifically for exterior usage. In this case continuous film coatings are usually recommended.

CEDAR AND REDWOOD SIDING

Western red cedar and redwood generally exhibit the best characteristics for holding continuous film coatings. However, recently being marketed is a grade of cedar siding which comes from more immature growths and contains a mixture of grains (mixed grain) involving both flat and edge grain. This siding is rather unstable and continuous film coatings are a risky choice, even though the product is marketed under the highly regarded "cedar" designation. Other products are anticipated as new growths of timber and sub-species are harvested, and coatings specifiers must remain aware of these new entrants into the market place.

Water soluble extractives are present in cedar and redwood, and may leach through coatings as they become activated by moisture. These may show up as tobacco colored stains, particularly on light colored stains or paints. They may be controlled with rather good success by using an acrylic latex stain blocking primer or an exterior oil based primer before painting, but may cause discoloration on light colored semi-penetrating or solid color stains.

PORCH AND DECKING

Decks are subjected to particularly severe exposure, plus abrasion from foot traffic. The horizontal or flat surfaces receive maximum sunlight and moisture collection. Resultant swelling and shrinking of the wood severely overstrikes any continuous film coating, resulting in cracking and peeling. These coatings are not recommended for these surfaces. Water repellents and semi-penetrating stains are recommended coatings. They require frequent refinishing, but it is an easier task than the sanding and scraping needed to prepare paints or solid stains for refinishing. Latex products are to be avoided where water can collect on flat surfaces.

PLYWOOD PRODUCTS

Exterior plywood, faced with southern yellow pine, Douglas fir or western red cedar are frequently used for exterior surfaces, in both smooth and roughhewn surfaces. Smooth sanded plywood is not recommended for siding, although it is used extensively for soffits where it is protected from sunlight and moisture. Plywood, especially when subjected to sunlight and moisture, develops surface checks (cracks). These allow moisture to enter, causing swelling and shrinking resulting in a very unstable surface which will overstress a paint film, causing cracking and peeling. Alkyd/oil paints will show early failure. Top quality acrylic paints will usually fair somewhat better, and are particularly suitable for soffits. However, since flat grain is predominant in most plywood products, continuous film coatings, particularly on rough surface plywood, are less suitable than semi-penetrating coatings.

 

If you are looking for a life long protection for your deck, from a  professional deck expert, please call us today at our toll-free office number at 1.800.713.3980  or complete our free quote form and receive a 10% WEB DISCOUNT