Remodeling Guide: Decking (continued)
How to choose the material for your style and budget
Photograph: Western Red Cedar Lumber AssociationWood
Description Pressure-treated pine, which is processed with chemicals to make it moisture- and pest-resistant, is most popular. Costlier alternatives include cedar, redwood, and exotic hardwoods like ipe.
Options Cedar, redwood, and exotic species offer the greatest number of color and grain variations.
Pros Pine is one of the least expensive decking options. Do-it-yourself refinishing can repair scratches, remove soils, and give a wood deck a whole new look.
Cons Prone to weathering, bending, splitting, and decay.
Care Keep deck free of debris. Scrub once a year using a deck wash. Apply a protective sealer every two to three years.
Cost $2 to $2.20 per square foot for pressure-treated pine; $3.50 to $5 for cedar or redwood; $8 and up for exotic hardwoods
Shown Above Red Cedar in Architect Clear. From $3.39/lineal foot (depending on size). Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, wrcla.org.
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