How to Choose the Right Wood for Your Deck - Durability Factors
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Article by: Malcolm Kay Perhaps the most important consideration in choosing the lumber species to use for exterior decking is the durability characteristics of the lumber to be used. Unfortunately this is not a precise science as wood , A Brief History of Solar Energy (solar panels) is a natural , Canvas Awnings – How To Care For Them And Keep Them Good As New species, with significant variations even within the same species. For example a species grown in one country may have significantly different durability characteristics to the same species grown in another country. This may be due to more rapid growth, harvesting at an earlier age or to a lesser extent, differences in processing. Furthermore, similar species may have sub-species which could exhibit totally different durability characteristics. Due care should be taken that any wood , How to Makeover and Enhance a Rooftop Deck does not contain the outside , Benefits of Cork Flooring sapwood. Sapwood of most hardwood species is non durable and will decay quite rapidly even if the heartwood itself is rated as highly durable. With some cypress species in particular, the sapwood is prone to decay extremely quickly. Fortunately sapwood is generally a lighter color, , Built In Home Appliances so can be reasonably easily distinguished. To a large extent, the denser, harder lumber species generally possess higher durability properties. , Home Improvements – Get Your Envelope In Order These are often referred to as Class 1 or "Highly durable"Âť. Examples of such species includes Ipe, Cumaru, Tallowwood and Ironbark. Under normal conditions, not in permanent contact with water, , Employ Passive Solar Energy and Start Saving Electricity Today such species can be expected to resist decay and insect attack for at least 25 years and up to 50 years. The next group is Class 2 where the lumber species are termed "Durable"Âť. Lumber species included in this group also exhibit exceptional durability characteristics and the wood , Unadulterated Truth About Black Mold: What You Don't Know Is Destroying Your Home And Your Health can typically be expected to have life of 15 to 25 years or more. Some species in this group closely approach the performance of the Class 1 timbers , Choosing a Vinyl Replacement Window Contractor even under severe conditions of service and in fact all species in this group may be regarded as approximating the service of Class 1 timbers , About Rainbow Shower Filter where conditions are less severe, as in typical decking. This group includes a large range of species including Teak, Jarrah, Jatoba, Bongossi, Purpleheart, Selangan batu, Western Red Cedar, Merbau, Blackbutt, Spotted Gum, River Red Gum etc. The third group, Class 3 is termed "Moderately Durable"Âť. Such species will give good service without preservative treatment if clear of the ground and used in conditions of low termite hazard and involving only intermittent wetting followed by reasonably rapid drying. Such timbers , Save Energy and Money this Winter - Improve Your Home with Double Glazing and Insulation can still be used for exterior decks , One Way to Get Rid of Nesting Pigeons but it would probably not be advisable to use such species in severe weather , How to Mold Concrete Using Windows conditions unless a maintenance regime involving the application of good quality decking oil is carried out at regular intervals. Species in this group include Cambara, Kempas, Karri, Eucalyptus saligna. The final group Class 4 is termed "Non Durable"Âť. Timber , Choosing a Vinyl Replacement Window Contractor species in this group are considered unsuitable for exposed decking because of their low natural , Laminate Floor - Stylish, Convenient and Robust durability. But apart from resistance to the ravages of sunlight, rainfall and humidity, in many locations , Do you need new cabinet hardware? there is another factor to consider - termites. There is no direct correlation between durability and resistance to termite attack so care needs to be taken in termite prone areas. Suitable species with high resistance to termite attack would include Ipe, Cumaru, Jatoba, Teak, Jarrah, Selangan batu etc. Finally and perhaps of lesser importance is that the lumber chosen should not twist, cup or deform in service. This requires some skill , Fight Mold the Safe and Natural Way and experience on the part of the lumber mill as the majority of hardwoods require carefully controlled kiln drying to bring the moisture , Ceiling Fans – Some Essential Facts to Consider content of the wood , Tools - The Right Tool For The Right Job down from more than 25% with freshly cut timber , Ceiling Fans – Some Essential Facts to Consider to approximately 16%. If the timber , Window Reglazing: How to Restore Old Windows in Your House is dried to fast it can crack and twist when in service. Even when properly kiln dried, all timber , Waterproofing Foundation: What are your Choices will expand and contract to some extent in service particularly in damp conditions. In such conditions, a timber , Architecture Designs species with a low shrinkage rate may be preferable. Such species would include Ipe, Selangan batu, Merbau and Teak amongst others. So in selecting the most appropriate species of lumber for decking, durability is a critical factor but it's not such a clear cut decision as may be assumed at first glance.About the author: Malcolm Kay is the CEO of Intex Pacific Pty. Ltd. an international supplier of landscape , Do you need new cabinet hardware? materials including modular decking tiles. , One Way to Get Rid of Nesting Pigeons For more information , Wallpaper Doesn't Just Cover...It Defines The Room see http://www.swiftdeck.com. |
  
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