Outdoor Lumber Selection

When you work with lumber on an indoor project, it’s completely different than choosing boards for something outside. Outside lumber is open to the elements and has different considerations to go over. Whether you are adding a deck, building a gazebo, creating a shed, or anything else with lumber outside, the project starts with the wood you choose for the building process. Here are some outdoor wood options to consider for your project, depending on your needs and preferences.

Pressure Treated Lumber

Treated wood has a coating on it with a copper base that prevents mold, mildew, and rotting. Incised wood has puncture marks in it that helps aid projects that are going to come into contact with dirt. Non-incised lumber doesn’t have those punctures and works well for fences and decking.

Cedar Lumber

Cedar is naturally resistant to both rot and termites. There are two grades of cedar called tight knot and clear cedar. Tight knot has knots in the wood, but there aren’t any holes in them. Clear cedar doesn’t have knots or holes, but it has a nice grain for a finished look. Cedar works well for garden beds, but if you want them for a fence or deck, they need to be treated for a longer lifespan.

Redwood Lumber

Redwood is also resistant to rot and termites and works great for raised garden beds. Some of the lumber has knots and other has holes. You can choose based on your preferences.

Wood Colors

As you think about your lumber selection, you need to consider not only what would work for your specific project, but also what your color and other preferences are. Wood comes in a variety of colors and you can stain and treat it to be darker or for the graining to stand out farther. If you don’t care about the color much, you can leave the wood natural. Otherwise, there are stains to bring out the grains to give the lumber a more finished look. Most people won’t do much to a garden bed, for example, but they want their fencing or deck to look nice.

Get Professional Advice

If you don’t have a lot of experience with lumber, it’s best to ask professionals what you should get for your specific project. Tell them what you are planning to do with the lumber, what look you like, and how much you want to spend. They can make recommendations based on your specific project, its budget, and any preferences you have. That way, when you walk away with the lumber, you are much more likely to end up with a project that works well all the way around.

Getting Lumber From Lampert Lumber

Lampert Lumber carries quality lumber from a variety of lumber companies. You have options on the types of lumber you choose, but also the carrier. With wide selections, any project has a good match and the professionals at Lampert are able to match your budget and preferences with the right lumber easily.

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