** WHAT TYPE OF WOOD SHOULD I CHOOSE?**

PRESSURE – TREATED LUMBER

The majority of decks built in Canada are constructed from pressure-treated wood because it’s typically the most affordable option. Unfortunately, pressure treating wood doesn’t make it completely resistant to moisture, which means that you’ll have to apply a water repellent or stain to your deck or fence in order to protect against moisture damage.

Preserved Wood products are designed for outdoor construction. They use a preservative system, the main active ingredient of which is copper. Copper, a naturally occurring mineral, is an effective and widely used fungicide. Coupled with a quaternary compound or “quat” for enhanced performance against copper-tolerant fungi and termites. Quats are commonly used in household disinfectants and cleaners. These products have proven around the world to reduce demands on forest resources by greatly extending the life of wood.

CEDAR

Cedar has a lot of appealing qualities. For starters it possesses an oil preservative that makes it naturally resistant to decay and insect damage. Secondly, its beautiful grain, texture and color make it an easy choice for one of the most aesthetically pleasing decking and fencing materials. And lastly, it’s lighter than pressure-treated wood, which makes it easier to maneuver and work with. Overall, decks and fences made of cedar wood look great, age well and its pleasing aroma stimulates the senses. But as with all great products, cedar is typically two and a half times more expensive than pressure-treated wood.

COMPOSITE MATERIALS

Composite lumber is derived from a combination of natural wood fibers and durable resin. Designed to resemble real wood; composite decking and fencing won’t splinter, crack, warp or rot.

This type of decking features realistic wood-grain patterns, and its brushed or embossed textures give each board a rustic look that’s often missing from the uniform and repetitive finish of other decking products. As if that isn’t enough, composite lumber comes in a selection of colors.

Resin decking and fencing is a fairly recent advancement in outdoor building. This innovative material is quickly becoming a popular choice for decking and fencing projects because of its lightweight yet extremely durable design. It also reduces the risk of mold and mildew, and like composite decking it won’t splinter, crack, warp or rot. Resin decking also comes in a variety of colors that will have minimal fading over time. The cost of this material however can exceed 3 to 5 times the cost of the latter.