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 [dark green lumber] including warping, checking,
and cracking. We also only buy from lumber yards, we don't pay the big box prices and
neither do you.

The new Micro ACQ is sold under the Pro-Wood label and has light tone to it.
The wood dries quickly and stains very nicely. I consider it vastly superior to
the old green lumber and it actually costs less. Don't let anyone build your deck with anything but.
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. If you are a
Dallas Cowboy fan, you might recognize that name. He played middle linebacker for our team
from 1963 to 1976. He was drafted by the Cowboys in 1963. He became the franchise's all-time leader in solo
tackles (743) in his 14 seasons with the Cowboys. He was a two-time All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler. He also
helped the Cowboys to three Super Bowls and five NFC Championship games.
When he retired from football, he opened the lumber yard.

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]. Usually the higest in cost because of the restrictions on cutting
redwoods, but arguably the prettiest of all the softwoods.

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.