According to the US Forest Products Dept. NO wood should be left unprotected by a coating for any length of time. All wood decks should be sealed when dry (typically within two to four weeks) after construction. DO NOT let your deck weather for six months or a year as some people suggest!
Deck builders:
Roxbury, Washington, Bethlehem, Warren, Bridgewater, New Milford, Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Watertown, Sherman, New Fairfield, Kent, Sharon, Danbury, Bethel, Newtown, Sandy Hook, Brookfield, Monroe, Easton, Redding, Ridgefield, Stratford, Shelton, Trumbull, Fairfield, Westport, Wilton, New Canaan, Darien, Stamford, Greenwich, Norwalk, Armonk, Chappaqua, Bedford, Mt. Kisco, Pound Ridge, South Salem, North Salem, Waccabuc, Cross River, Yorktown Heights, Katonah, Golden Bridge, Somers, Granite Springs, Croton Falls, Purdys, Brewster, Patterson, Putnam Lake, Mahopac, Lake Carmel,
All the noted materials are suitable for exterior use and are resistant to decay and bug infestation.Unless specified, all materials are fastened with galvanized nails. Ring shank nails (flooring nails) are used for the surface and spindles (they hold much better than regular nails). Screws and hidden fasteners are available as an option.

PRESSURE TREATED (PT) SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE
The most commonly used decking material in the Northeast area · Least expensive of the material choices · Very strong and durable · Always used for deck frame regardless of the surface, rail or stair material · Tendency to split, check and warp · Starts out greenish/brown, turns brownish/gray.

RED CEDAR (STK) SOUND TIGHT KNOTS ALLOWED
25% More expensive than a PT deck · Relatively soft wood (scratches and gauges more easily) · Contains many knots - has a "rustic" look · Less likely to spilt, check or warp · Starts out reddish/brown, turns brownish/gray.

PORT ORFORD WHITE CEDAR
Priced the same as STK Red Cedar · generally less knots than STK · Harder and stronger than Red Cedar · less likely to splinter, split or warp · Aromatic fruity scent · starts out yellowish/white, turns light gray.

RED CEDAR - D&BETTER (ALMOST CLEAR)
60% more expensive than pressure treated wood. Same as STK, but almost no knots.

 MAHOGANY
60% expensive more than PT · A furniture quality hardwood · Virtually no knots · Less likely to splinter, spilt or warp · Very strong and stable · All connections are predrilled and screwed together · Starts out golden/brown turns light brown.

IPE
70% more expensive than PT · The best decking lumber available · Very little tendency to splinter, split or warp · Virtually flawless · Strongest and hardest of all the materials · All connections are predrilled and screwed · Starts out reddish/brown and turns silver grey.

COMPOSITE DECKING: COMPOSITE DECKING: TREX, AZEK, FIBERON, TIMBERTECH TO NAME A FEW
50-70% more expensive than PT · Composite material made from wood and plastic · Will NOT splinter spilt or warp · Very little maintenance required! · Will hold up better than any of the woods over time · Deck frame needs to be wood · Many, many brands, colors and wood grains to choose from.

PVC DECKING
65-70% more expensive than pressure treated · The new generation in materials for decks available from Trex, Azek, TimberTech and Fiberon · Almost no maintenance · many colors and wood grains · extrememly stain, mold and fade resistant.

NOTE: Price comparisons are approximations and refer to Total Job Cost for a deck with railings and stairs. Prices can fluctuate with the lumber market. All wood exposed to the sun will turn grey if not maintained.
FACTORY AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS OF

(CLICK ON ABOVE LINKS TO VISIT THEIR WEB SITES)

57 SECOR ROAD • BROOKFIELD, CT 06804 • (203) 791-8345