If you’re building or thinking of building a backyard deck using treated wood for the floorboards, it’s important to know about what types of lumber are available. Let’s review some of the most popular backboard boards that are used in outdoor decks today.
Laminated Boards
Laminated boards have traditionally been used for patio floors because they resist splinters and tend to be more resistant to rotting than solid wood. These boards consist of multiple layers of plywood glued together under high pressure using special adhesives between each layer. The glue lines run parallel with stripes that give it an attractive appearance which is often covered by finish stains and sealers. The laminated board comes in just about any size shape or thickness imaginable and they’re available in several different grades of lumber. Unfortunately, laminated boards don’t have a long life expectancy when used outdoors because they tend to absorb moisture and can warp or crack as the wood expands and contracts according to the weather and temperature conditions. You can prolong the lifespan of these floorboards by keeping them covered with an anti-slip finish such as paint or varnish. Another key consideration is that you’ll need special tools to cut through this material, so it’s best to have it installed by professionals if possible.
Lumber Boards
Lumber board is another popular option for patio deck floors because it comes in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, shapes and grain patterns that are often pleasing to the eyes. This material is usually made from southern yellow pine, Douglas fir or redwood and will come with rough edges. There is a special tool called a “moulder” which will allow you to smooth the surface of lumber boards so they can be sanded by hand, but this process takes time and skill and it’s not something for someone who is just starting out in carpentry.
Lumber decking comes in either 2×4 (actual dimensions are 1 3/4″ x 3 1/2″), 2×6 (1 3/4″ x 5″) or 4×4 (actually 3 1/2″ square) shapes in varying sizes that can be cut to fit any project you need. If you’re building your own deck, taking the time to choose the right lumber board is important. The most popular lumber board used in outdoor deck floors today is southern yellow pine which has long straight rows of grain that are easy to cut and sand. You’ll find Douglas fir boards used mostly for commercial or heavy duty applications because it’s stronger and more resistant to insect damage than yellow pine.
Lumber plywood planks are also an option, but they usually require professional installation due to complex cutting requirements and the fact that you need special tools in order to work with them effectively. If you’re looking for a quick solution that looks good right off the shelf, consider the variety of bamboo floorboards available on the market today.
Bamboo Flooring
If you’re familiar with Bamboo flooring, you know that it’s been around for a long time and has always been popular among homeowners because of its hardiness, resistance to damage and relatively low cost. Bamboo is a grass that has been used as a building material in Asia for over 2,000 years and is now being incorporated into many commercial products including floors, furniture, chairs and deck boards. Commercial bamboo boards are made from different species of bamboo such as Moso which are grown in Texas or China. The most popular member of the bamboo family for this purpose is the Phyllostachys edulis (also known as Giant Timber Bamboo).
This particular species thrives in humid environments but also grows well in dry areas where other types of bamboos wouldn’t grow. It can also be grown in a variety of different climate zones, and is one of the fastest growing plants on earth. Bamboo flooring comes in 3 grades: A-class, B-class and C-Class depending on its strength and durability. The type that you choose will depend on what kind of traffic your deck will get and how well you want it to stand up over time against abrasions from footwear or objects like chairs that will drag across the planks regularly.
Bamboo is more expensive than lumber board but can last indefinitely if properly maintained through regular cleaning, sanding (to remove dirt build up) as well as applying an annual coat of oil or varnish to help prevent moisture build up from staining the wood.