Your Wood Selections
Treated Pine:
We
work with only the new Micro ACQ Treated Southern Yellow Pine when
using
treated lumber. I have found it to be an extremely stable product. There
were
many problems with the old ACQ variety [green lumber] and surprisingly,
everyone
but Home Depot is still selling it.
The
new Micro ACQ is sold under the Pro-Wood label and has light beige tone
to it.
The
wood dries quickly and stains very nicely. I consider it vastly superior
to
the
old green lumber and it doesn't cost a cent more. You will be happy that
it
doesn't
crack, check, split or warp wildly as it dries out.
For
most decks, this lumber is the best choice. It is very reasonably priced
and is a
very
good product. All of our framework is built using this material.
Cedar, Redwood and Ipe:
All
of these come from one supplier in Dallas...Lee Roy Jordan Lumber Company.
I
work exclusively with his son Chris on all our orders. Their selections
are the
best
quality you can buy at very competitive prices.
Cedar,
the hearty Western Red variety, is milled in either
rough
[pergolas and fences] or smooth [decking profiles]. It is naturally
resistant
to insects and termites as it is to moisture. Redwood has the same
characteristics
and like cedar it can be milled in either construction
heart
or clear profiles [no knots].
Ipe
is a hardwood known by the name of Brazilian Walnut. It is one of the hardest
woods
on the planet. It is impervious to moisture and doesn't float in water.
Insects
cannot eat it, the wood has high silica content which means it shares
the
same component as glass and sand. Each deck board has to be
pre-drilled
to install screws and no nails can be used, the wood
is
too hard to nail through. This product carries a 40 year guarantee
and
is my absolute favorite choice for decking if you are planning
to
stay in your home a long time. Maintenance is very minimal.
Choosing
Ipe now can save you thousands in the future and the
cost
is less than Redwood and 85% of all composites.
Composites:
While
I don't actively suggest using this type of decking, there is one I
recommend
if you really want a composite and it's the only one guaranteed
longer
than Ipe. ChoiceDek from Lowe's carries a lifetime
transferrable warranty
and
is the only composite that is waterproof.
While it does come in four colors,
the
three other than grey cost extra.
Whatever
your wood preferrance is, we can work you.
When
you call us out for an estimate, I find out what the uses for the
project
are going to be, then I can help you decide by giving you
the
advantages and benefits of each type of lumber we offer.
I
send bids in with options and choices to help everyone decide what is
best
for them. By doing this we are insured that our clients are happy
with
their new structure or built in and that we have
succeeded
in our mission.