Summer Deck Options

In the last house we lived in, my husband put in a new wrap around deck. To match the pre-existing wood, we happily went to the local home improvement center and bought all the wood. I remember being alarmed at the warnings listed on the wood, of not to touch with bare hands etc. I was told that this was a necessity and quickly forgot my worries as the new deck neared completion.

Alternative Wood for Decking
Instead of the predominant pressure-treated CCA lumber (chromium copper arsenate)-which has been soaked with arsenic and chromium, there is an alternative called ACQ (alkaline copper quat) that uses no arsenic or chromium. The best choice is naturally rot-resistant wood, such as cedar and redwood. Today both are renewable resources, as millions of seedlings are replanted every year. Cedar can be forested more easily and quickly than reduced.
For redwood decking, the best choice is “kiln-dried deck heart” or “deck common”. Less durable (but still acceptable) for decks are “clear heart”, “clear”, “B heart”, and “B grade redwood”. For the longest lasting cedar deck, choose “dear all- heart cedar”. Less reliable- but still an okay low-cost alternative for dry climates- is “grade No. 1 select tight knot (STK)”.

Sealing
Sealing your deck is a required maintenance which prevents water form entering and damaging the wood. The aforesaid deck had me using my medical skills when husband, and two oldest sons were sealing the deck. First I have to say, they were not wearing protective eyewear, and second, they were using a solvent-based sealant.
Look for water-based rather than solvent-based sealants. Apply when deck is built and reapply every 2 years.
The sun’s UV rays break down the cells of the wood, causing that gray color. To restore, apply a deck or wood “brightener” to remove dirt, stains and gray wood fibers. Skip the ones that contain chlorine bleach. Instead, shop for a cleaner that contains a no bleach whitener (such as sodium per carbonate) or peroxide. Sealing your deck won’t require a repeat waterproofing treatment for about 3 years.

Stains
You can also keep away the “gray” by applying an exterior stain that will keep your deck bright and waterproof for about 4 years. Just remember to always choose deck stains that are based on water rather than solvents.