Choosing Lumber
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STEP THREE: CHOOSING YOUR LUMBER
In this day and age, with "Pressure Treated Lumber" being so plentiful, the is
little or no reason to use any other kind of lumber for your frame. In most parts of the
country if you are within 18" of the ground or lower you must use PT. PT is very
resistant to water, insects, and rot.
For your decking there are many choices.
-- 5/4 x 6" PT. Roughly an inch thick, with the same preservatives
as the framing lumber. This is probably the least expensive of the decking, and the easiest to install. Contrary to
popular belief PT decking still has to be maintained. Just like the other decking it should be
cleaned and sealed
every couple of years. At current rates approx. $1.90 sq./ft ( prices will fluctuate
depending on location )
-- 1 x 4 Fir. This is 3/4" thick by 3 1/2" wide, also available
in either square edge or tongue and groove style. You would use much more of this because of its narrow width. The cost
is approx. $3.17 sq./ft. Fir is a fairly hardwood so care should be taken to pre-drill to avoid
cracking.
Installed and sealed correctly this is a beautiful decking.
-- 1 x 4 Mahogany. The same dimensions as the Fir. A much darker wood,
and a little less
expensive. Approx. $2.17 sq./ft. Also available in 5/4 x 6" at approx. $2.90 sq./ft.
That's just three examples of decking, you can also get 5/4 x 6 cedar, 5/4 x 6 TREX ( a wood and
plastic combination that wont split, crack, warp, etc. Sells for approx $3.68 sq/ft) and
many other
new composite materials.
Check out the decking products for more info.