Decks
DEAR TIM: Within the next few weeks, I plan to build a deck. I am looking for another wood option other than chemically treated pine. I have considered redwood, however, the cost seems extravagant. Also, I worry about the environmental aspects of cutting giant redwood trees. What advice or alternatives can you offer? How about a few deck construction tips? L. E.
DEAR L.E.: You nailed my choice. Redwood is an excellent deck construction material. Western red cedar would be a good choice as well. However, don't discount the use of chemically treated pine as an integral part of your deck. I'll explain in just a moment.
First, let me shed some light on the environmental aspects of redwood. If you have traveled to the national parks and forests in California you most likely saw the Sierra redwoods. These are the giant sequoias that are national treasures. The redwood that is used almost exclusively for construction lumber is the coast redwood. The coast redwood is grown commercially in managed forests. They are two entirely different species. Don't confuse the two.
It just so happens that the coast redwood is the fastest growing softwood tree in the USA. They reproduce so readily that early homesteaders abandoned land that they tried to convert to farmland. The trees simply grew back too fast! I trust that the leaders in the lumber industry are doing the best they can to properly manage this excellent renewable resource.
Your cost concerns must be based on a past experience. You probably purchased a piece of clear all heart redwood. This is the most expensive part of the log. There are many grades of redwood that are very economical and will do well for your deck. My grade choice would be construction heart. It is an all heartwood grade that contains tight knots. Heartwood is the wood that contains the highest amount of extractive chemicals. These are the things that make redwood and cedar naturally resistant to rot and insect attack.
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Let's talk about chemically treated pine. This species of lumber should not be discounted. I would use it for all of the structural aspects of your deck. In other words, use it for your support posts, ledger boards, beams, and joists. Use the redwood for your decking, benches, and railing systems. If you are concerned about appearance, you should possibly consider using clear all heart redwood for the handrails.
For your benefit, I did a quick cost analysis. I created a material list for a standard 10 foot by 12 foot deck that sits 3 feet off the ground. The first price was based using chemically treated pine for the entire deck. The second price used construction heart redwood for the decking and rail system. Guess what? It only cost $165.00 more to use redwood on top of the chemically treated pine joist system! I feel that is a bargain for the compliments you will receive from your friends and neighbors.
Consider using stainless steel nails or double dipped hot galvanized nails for construction purposes. Any other nails will cause stains in your redwood. Also, prefinish all of the redwood on all surfaces and cut edges before it is installed! This is very important. You will vastly increase the service life of the redwood if you do this. After construction is complete you can put a final coat of finish on the visible redwood.
Wood deck surfaces need to be cleaned and sealed to keep them in good condition. The cleaner I recommend is oxygen bleach.
| Message from Tim:
Years ago while researching a column about cleaning decks, I discovered the wonders of Oxygen Bleach. It is perhaps the 'greenest' cleaner I know of as it uses oxygen ions to break apart stains, dirt and odor molecules. There are no harsh chemicals, and it works on just about anything that is water washable. I decided to create my own special blend using ingredients made in the USA. In fact, the raw materials in the active ingredient are food-grade quality registered with the FDA. I call my product Stain Solver. I urge you to use it to help clean your deck. You will be amazed at the results! |
Author's Notes:
June, 1996
Coastal Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world. They are indeed a natural wonder. These trees are a 'cash crop' for commercial companies. Privately managed tree farms are a reality. Forestry companies currently have the right to plant and harvest timber. However, it takes hundreds of years (see below) for coastal redwood trees to reach maturity. As such, it will take intelligent and resourceful planning to make sure that we preserve this wonderful natural resource.
We owe it to future generations of our country and the world to make sure that we do not eliminate this species from the face of the planet. People who are interested must work together to solve the needs of those who want to use redwood as a building material and those who wish to preserve and protect this magnificent living wonder. Please do your part to become more informed and help in any way possible.
August, 2000
I received a clarifying e-mail from Mr. Dan Opalach, Ph.D. who works for the Simpson Timber Company in Arcata, CA. He was kind enough to politely point out an error in the above Author's Notes. He stated in his e-mail, "... I would like to tell you, however, that redwood trees reach maturity much, much sooner than "hundreds of years" as you mentioned in your column.
Fifty-year-old redwood trees are often 125 feet tall and can be milled to produce 750 board feet of lumber -- enough decking lumber to cover three 10x12 decks!"
Dan, many thanks for this correction! TC