Comparing Cedar Deck Boards, Pressurized Wood and Composite Deck Boards
Cedar deck boards, pressurized and composite deck boards are all-resistant to rotting and can be cut and fastened by using conventional equipment. There is actually no perfect choice because all three types have tradeoffs but you can still choose which one best works for you depending on what you think is of importance. If you are looking for a prime cut and a prime wood, the best choice is cedar and since you want a prime cut, you should get the heart of the lumber not the outer portions. This area is rot-free.
Cedar decking boards do not really absorb any type of moisture making it one of the sturdiest lumber as compared to others. They have a lifespan of 20 years and may last even longer if you take good care of them. The bad thing about it is you would have to do a lot of maintenance. There are 10-year-old cedars that still look brand new but if used for areas where there is a lot of foot traffic, they have a tendency to look beat up. They are also quite expensive so if you are trying to save a few bucks, it would be best to get a pressure-treated deck board. They last as long as cedar deck boards and they can be used for areas with a lot of foot traffic.
Do not use pressurized wood for areas where moisture is always present because they tend to expand faster than cedar. Make sure that the pressure-treated wood you get however comes from a reputable company because not all of them are as sturdy as the other. The only downside in using such a material is that they do not look good so if you want something that would look real good, get composite wood or cedar. If you want lumber that does not need maintenance however, you would have to go for composite decking because it will not rot, chip or warp.
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