Selecting the Right Pine Timber for Home Deck Construction

The deck is an ideal feature for enhancing outdoor living and entertainment in your home. Therefore, it is important to install good timber when building this structure. This will promote durability and ensure that the visual impact of the decking is appealing. One of the ideal materials to consider is pine lumber. Pine is a softwood tree that is widely available, so the cost of purchase is fairly low. Moreover, the material is considerably durable and performs well in most residential environments. Here are some factors to think about when buying pine timber for the decking project.

Treatment

Pine is not naturally resistant to damage from moist environmental conditions and pest infestation. Therefore, it is crucial to choose lumber that has been treated to prevent rot and consumption by termites and borers. There are different forms of preservation techniques to consider for your pine boards and they can be categorised into pressure and non-pressure treatment. Non-pressure treatment involves the simple application of wood preservative and insect repellent chemicals. This can be done using brushes, sprays and even dipping the boards in the preservatives. Pressure treated pine is prepared in the same way, but the boards are exposed to pressure or put in a vacuum. This allows the preservatives to penetrate the wood better than in the non-pressure alternative. Unfortunately, the cost of the pressure treatment often results in higher unit prices.

Finishing Options

The finishing is important because it determines the appearance of the timber pieces. Therefore, you should inquire about the options available from your supplier before purchase. In ideal circumstances, you should consider selecting unfinished wood and performing the finishing processes yourself. If you want finishes that only affect the appearance of wood minimally, consider choosing shellac, wax, oils and acrylic paint and varnishes. Staining and dyeing products will often darken the wood, and this enhances the natural grain of the wood. You can also choose to paint your wood using lacquers, epoxy, varnishes and wood paint if you want to make the decking more unique.

Board Dimensions

Finally, you should consider the dimensions of the pine timber boards that you intend for installation. Your choice will determine the ease of installation and even the appearance of the pieces. Longer boards will provide the decking with a more uniform surface, which means better visual continuity. Shorter boards can look choppy when used independently for the entire decking. If you want more aesthetic interest by eliminating excess consistency, consider mixing short and long boards. 


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