Building a Deck – Things to Check if Using Softwood Species

Article by: Malcolm Kay

Whilst hardwood is generally the preferred lumber species for exterior decking due to its hardness, resistance to wear and attractive colour, , Fountains Through All Ages - An Overview of Landscaping Wonders softwood species are commonly used, particularly where cost is an important factor. But the drawback of most softwoods is that they are not naturally durable so are unsuitable for use in areas fully exposed to the weather , Landscape Lighting unless the wood , Teak Planters - Accent Your Outdoor Space with One is properly treated with a recognized wood , The Not So Common Day Lily preservative or completely sealed with an impervious surface coating. So when selecting a softwood species, one of the most important considerations is that these species used should be either a recognised naturally durable species such as Western Red Cedar, some species of cypress, larch or pine, or that it has been treated with an appropriate and good quality preservative.

For more than 70 years, the most commonly accepted wood , Don't Treat Your Soil Like Dirt preservative treatment chemical has been CCA (copper chrome arsenic), which gained popularity due to its effectiveness and relatively low cost. (CCA treated lumber can normally be distinguished by the greenish tone it imparts to the wood). However in recent years, many national organisations and authorities have announced either bans or restrictions on the use of lumber treated with CCA. For example, in Australia from March 2006, CCA treated timber , Preliminary Considerations Before Building Your Own Backyard Garden Pond will no longer be permitted for use as handrails, decking boards, picnic tables, or children's playground equipment in new installations. And in Japan, CCA treated lumber is generally not permitted any longer for public use in major cities for municipal projects.

Although there is apparently no firm scientific proof to support the contention that CCA timber , Gardening is harmful to health provided it is handled correctly, such cautions or bans have been instituted as a precautionary measure. Nevertheless it is always best to err on the side of safety, , Fleur De Lotus: Purity in a Sullied World so it is recommended that when working with CCA treated lumber, to apply protective clothing including goggles, face mask and gloves. CCA treated lumber also should never be burnt in an open fire , September Gardening Tips but must be disposed of according to local regulations. , The Basics Of How to Plant Container Gardens

Fortunately a number of alternative wood , Patio Design - Add Awnings As A Colorful Finish For Your Patio Design treatment products , Fleur De Lotus: Purity in a Sullied World to replace CCA are now available, the most common of which is probably ACQ (alkaline, copper, , The Most Popular Flower Fragrances quaternary). Such products , Beneficial Mycorrhizae - Your Plant's Best Friend use low toxicity, active ingredients such as recycled copper , How to Care for Long Stem Roses and modern organic , Fountains Through All Ages - An Overview of Landscaping Wonders biocides to give the lumber the required long-term protection against wood , Colour in the Garden destroying fungi, termites and other wood , Corylopsis (Winterhazel) - Spicata eating insects. Although such products , Ten Considerations Before You Buy A Bird House have not been available for a sufficiently long time for extensive natural , Teak Garden Benches durability data to be collected, most manufacturers , Perfume Your Garden and Home with Gardenias will provide at least 25 years guarantee on the life of treated lumber.

So if you wish to use a softwood species for your deck, , Tips for a Bulb-o-licious Garden check what preservative treatments have been applied, and especially with the newer preservative treatment chemicals, ask what guarantee the lumber supplier is prepared to offer on the lifetime of the decking material. Although untreated softwoods typically have a very short life in exterior exposed conditions, if pressure treated with appropriate chemical, a softwood deck , Snakes - They're Not as Slithery as Some People I Know! will provide many years of continual use and enjoyment.

Malcolm Kay is the CEO of Intex Pacific Pty. Ltd. an international supplier of landscape , Teak Planters - Accent Your Outdoor Space with One materials including modular decking tiles. , Make a Plan for Vacation Watering For more information , Is it Really Teak Wood? Caveat Emptor! (Part One) see http://www.swiftdeck.com

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Building a Deck – Things to Check if Using Softwood Species

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