Choosing the Best Lumber for an Outdoor Project

When warm weather arrives, there’s no better place to be than the outdoors, soaking up the sun and breathing in the fresh air! Many people enjoy the outdoors from their patio or deck, hosting barbecues, social gatherings, and spending quality time with friends and family. If your home’s exterior has room for this type of addition, we highly recommend having a custom deck installed, so you can experience all that it has to offer. Learn more about the best types of lumber for this type of project with Lampert Lumber!

Cedar

Cedar is a great choice when it comes to outdoor deck design. It is a natural, warm-colored wood that many choose to build with because of its durability and ease to work with. Cedar does not absorb moisture, which is what typically causes wood to split and twist. It comes from the heartwood of the cedar tree, which is both insect-proof and resistant to rot. This type of wood is also environmentally friendly, as it is renewable and doesn’t generate greenhouse gasses. For a beautiful, natural-looking deck design, you can’t go wrong with choosing cedar. 

Pressure Treated Wood

Pressure treated wood is chemically treated using anything from pesticides, fire retardant, and more. This type of wood is protected from insects, fungus, and other microorganisms allowing it to last longer than untreated wood. Treated lumber is often recommended for outdoor projects like decks to provide homeowners with years of beauty and entertainment. Other benefits include that it is easy to install and solid and tough. 

Pine and fir are most commonly used for treated decks. While softer in nature, pine is great material to build with. It is affordable, easy to find, resistant to rot and decay, and displays natural patterns. Fir is a very versatile type of wood. At Lampert Lumber, we offer Douglas fir and Hem fir. Douglas fir is reliable and durable for building. It is warm-looking and has a distinctive graining pattern. Hem fir is stronger than most softwoods and is used for many different projects. Due to its durability, treatability, and acceptability to finishes and sealants, Hem fir is an ideal option for deck design. 

Find the Best Types of Lumber for Your Outdoor Project

When you’re in search of the best type of lumber for your outdoor project, look no further than Lampert Lumber! The professionals at Lampert can help you with lumber selection and even assist you with creating the perfect customized deck design. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to remodel or renovate your current deck, our experts are willing and eager to lend a helping hand. Our goal is to help you design a deck that meets your style and needs. We want you to enjoy your backyard space for years to come. Lampert Lumber is proud to be the Midwest’s premier hardware store for lumber and building materials and we look forward to helping turn your vision into a reality. Contact us today to get started or stop by one of our stores for expert guidance, superior customer service, and high-quality materials.

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