Treated Pine

We work with only the new Micro ACQ Treated Southern Yellow Pine when
using treated lumber. I have found it to be more stable than the other treated pine products.
There were many problems with the old ACQ variety [dark green lumber] including warping,
checking, and cracking. That said, pine does crack and warp more than cedar or redwood.

The new Micro ACQ is sold under the Pro-Wood & LifeWood labels 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. 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

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. You can count on cedar lasting 20+ years
as long as it is maintained properly.

Redwood

Redwood has the same characteristics and like cedar it can be milled in either construction
heart or clear profiles [no knots]. Usually the higher of the two in cost because of the restrictions on cutting
redwoods, but arguably the prettiest of all the softwoods. Also resistant to rot and insects, redwood
can last as long as cedar.

 Ipe & Garapa

Ipe and Garapa are both hardwood varieties in the Brazilian rain forest. They are among
the hardest woods on the planet. Impervious to moisture [won't even float in water], insects
cannot eat either one, 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. Both these woods carry a 50 year warranty 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
Garapa or Ipe now can save you thousands in the future and the cost is less than most composites on the market.

Composites

Due to extensive litigation pending on the top brands of composite decking I have decided not to feature
or install any of the composite decking brands. The major lawsuits are concerning fading of the product in the
first year, mold issues and decomposing of the interior wood content [there are actual wood by-products
in most composites]. Trex, ChoiceDek and other popular brands are named in cases and more are pending.
We feel that real wood is a better choice, even for those who want a low maintenance deck. Both
the Brazilian hardwoods never need anything in the way of maintenance if you don't
mind a silver or brown patina on the wood after the frist two years.