Treated Vs Untreated Timber For a New Deck

If you are looking to have a new deck built, you probably want to use wood. Timber is often considered one of the best materials for a deck, both for its durability and strength, and for its warm and rich appearance. However, you need to first decide between treated or untreated timber. Untreated timber is more in its natural form, while treated timber has gone through a chemical process to avoid things like pest infestation and rot. Here are some things to consider when trying to choose between treated or untreated timber for your new deck.

Treated Timber Can Last Longer

You want your brand new wood deck to last as long as possible, so it makes sense that you are thinking about treated timber. While untreated wood can also last a long time, it does have a higher susceptibility to damage in many cases, which means you might end up needing to replace the wood planks as they become damaged. With treated timber, you are able to avoid many types of damages that occur from pests, weather or climate conditions, so it has the tendency to last longer. This makes an even greater investment in your new deck.

Some Wood Doesn't Need Excessive Treatment

While you might want to choose treated timber if you are going for a solid pine deck, since this wood is more susceptible to damage, some types of timber don't need as much treatment or processing. For example, timber varieties like cedar and Douglas fir might be more expensive, but they are also good at resisting moisture, which would have otherwise caused rot and decay. Cypress is also resistant to decay, while redwood timber can help to reduce the risk of splitting and warming, since it is known as an insect-resistant type of timber.

Less Maintenance is Required With Treated Timber

Another reason to lean more toward treated timber for your deck is because it doesn't require as much maintenance. While all wood decking materials should be sealed and cared for, not as much attention needs to be paid to treated timber. With timber that is untreated, expect to spend more time cleaning it, repairing cracks, looking for pests, and making sure it is fully dry after a rain or snow season. You also need to seal it more often so that you can avoid decay and rot of the wood.

Untreated Timber is More Natural

On the other hand, untreated timber doesn't use any harsh chemicals or go through a manufactured process, so it is more of an eco-friendly option. This is something to consider if you are willing to risk the damage to the wood just so you don't choose wood that might contain hazardous chemicals.

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