building a deck, what is the best wood to use? which tools do i need for the project?
Pressure treated wood is long lasting and most popular because of its cost, Its also very easy to find in stores and virtually maintenance-free.
Here is a list of tools you'll need.
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If you don't mind spending more money, Trex is a great decking material. It is a plastic/wood composite that wears incredibly well and requires no finish.
I built a deck (14'x25') a few years ago and used Trex. I built the frame out of pressure treated 2x6's, and used the Trex as the decking. It shows almost no wear. It comes in long lengths and is super straight. I have heard rumors that you can heat it and bend it so that you can make swirly decks.
I used a skilsaw, drill, and a hammer. Be prepared to buy a lot of screws, as they last longer than nails and look better (you can sink them below the level of the deck). A long level is also handy.
I don't know if you have a Menards around you, but I got composite decking from them for around 88 cents a lin/foot. Composite is nice because you never have to do anything to it....ever. Pressure treated, cedar, redwood and other woods need to be washed and treated yearly if they are to last nad keep their good looks. Of course pressure treated is fine for the joists and beams.
I used the Brazilian Hardwood IPE. It was comparable in cost to mahogany or trex. You can find places that will ship it to your home for a reasonable cost. The wood is extremely hard and requires no maintenance. It starts dark brown, and if you decide not to treat it, it fades to a nice grey. It's been used on several boardwalks around the US because of it's resistance to water and insects. It's virtually indesctructable. When choosing a material, I wanted something that didn't splinter (like Pressure Treated) and my neighbor has installed a composite decking, but found that mildew can form on it if it's not scrubbed regularly. You'll need a good skil saw with a high quality blade. There are some great fasteners out there like the ipe clip, which allow you to install the decking with no screws showing. Check it out, it's really nice stuff.
You can read the Smart Guide: Decks, Basic reference guide helps you with the decking project. Presents more than 200 full-color illustrations and detailed step-by-step instructions on everything from how to lay out and set footings to framing a deck, adding decking, and attaching railings and stairways to a finished deck. Advice and tips are presented in an easy, clear, concise format. Included are a complete tools and material section, comprehensive index, and glossary of important terms.
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