Hardwood Flooring Outdoors: Decking

It’s summer, and many homeowners have outdoor spaces at the top of their to-do lists. Hardwood is more than just flooring in the living room. It can be used in all types of construction and home improvement projects. A deck is one of the most common uses of hardwood outdoors, and we want you to be prepared to assist your customers in choosing their hardwood decking.

While decking options have grown exponentially over the years, wood is still the most popular choice. It’s natural, strong, and feels good under bare feet. It’s also easy to install, and offers plenty of different looks and finishes.

Pressure Treated Wood

This is the most common and least expensive type of decking. It’s usually Southern yellow pine and lasts about 15 years. It’s important to seal this wood well and coach your customers on proper maintenance, as it is quick to splinter if not well maintained.

Tropical Hardwoods

These woods are very durable and incredibly dense. A deck made of tropical hardwood will last about 25 years. But it’s also very heavy and difficult to work with, and it’s considerably more expensive than pressure treated wood.

No matter what wood your customer chooses, be sure to offer them plenty of tips about maintenance. Wood will fade in the sun; there are sun-blocking finishes that can be applied regularly to help slow this process. The finished deck should be cleaned and re-stained every two to three years to keep it looking and performing its best.

A wood deck can be a homeowner’s favorite place to relax during mild weather, and you should feel confident advising your customers in their search for the perfect decking wood.