A wood deck or patio gives a timeless look to the exterior of your home. It gives you more room for outdoor entertainment and makes you feel closer to nature, helping you relax and have a good time with your loved ones. If you are looking to add a wooden staircase or deck to your home, consider working with a professional home improvement company in Vancouver, BC.
In addition to the strength of the wood, the second most important thing is its durability, which indicates how long will it last. Let’s take a look at the specifics of what you should look for when choosing the right material for your deck or stairs.
Hardwood and Softwood
There are two major categories of woods, Hardwood and Softwood. Hardwood comes from the slow-growing trees, whereas softwood comes from the trees which have higher growing ratios. Hands down, hardwood is much stronger as compared to softwood. But the costs vary from what kind of wood you are choosing to install through professional home improvement services in Vancouver.
These two enlists various types of wood materials, each having their pros and cons. You have to choose which kind of wood can be most durable considering the weather of the place where you reside and the usage of the place. In Vancouver, weather should be the most important aspect when you’re choosing the wood. As compared to composite, vinyl, and other decking materials, wood can be a little more expensive considering what type have you chosen, but they offer a higher return on investment.
Kinds of Wood Mostly Used
The following are the few types that are used popularly in decking and stairs:
- Pressure-treated wood: the most budget-friendly option is to go with pressure-treated wood. It is softwood that goes through chemical preservation to increase its strength. However, it is not the best option for rainy places like Vancouver as it absorbs moisture quickly and chips away. Washing and cleaning cause the boards to shrink, and splinters from boards can cause infections due to chemicals in them.
- Cedar and Redwood: these types of woods are more reliable than the pressure-treated wood. Redwood is more expensive as compared to cedar. But both type of woods requires maintenance.
- Tropical woods: this type of wood is far more expensive as they are difficult to resource. Tropical wood like Ipe, Cumaro, Tigerwood, and others are considered to be the most stunning and durable, but they are also extremely expensive and are a luxury to afford.
Types of Wood for Decks and Stairs in Vancouver Homes
Wooden decks and stairs get affected by moisture, and Vancouver faces heavy rainfalls every year. So, to choose the type of wood is a crucial process. Regardless of what material you choose it has to be maintained, which requires covering up the flooring with sealers (oil coating), waterproofing finishers, and stabilizers. All these techniques ensure the durability of wood and increase their water resistance. The following are a few types of woods that are suitable for the weather in Vancouver:
- Teak
- Oak
- Cherry
- Maple
- Birch
- Mahogany
The last type is modified wood. This is the best option for the place as this type of wood provides high strength and durability. Modified wood such, as Kebony, is softwood, which is treated in non-toxic liquid to change its inner cellular structure, which makes it denser just like tropical woods. Also, no toxic chemicals are used so it is environment-friendly and safe. Modified wood is a pest and insect repellent naturally, and it can sustain high exposure to moisture as well.
If you are planning to get a wooden deck or staircase installed in your home by professional home improvement contractors in Vancouver, call the professional at Quick Sidekick here in Vancouver. Our experts will give you the best advice and top-notch services.
