If you’re planning to add a wood deck in your home, make sure to read this post before winter climate sets in. A wood deck is a comfortable area for relaxation, entertaining, and enjoying nature. It adds an extension to your home to the outdoors.
Also, having a wood deck also increases your home’s value. However, you want them to be built to standards. Here in Black Beards Woodworking & Sawmill, we have a variety of top-grade lumber that you can use as deck boards to make wood decks.
How Lumber is Graded?
Lumber is graded by the National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA) based on its strength, appearance, and intended use. Lumber grades help ensure you get the right type of wood for your project. For structural lumber, which are used for often used for framing and construction of decks, the main grades are:
- No. 1. High-quality lumber with minimal defects. It’s strong and suitable for important structural applications.
- No. 2. The most common grade used for framing. It has some knots and imperfections but is still strong enough for most structural needs.
- No. 3. More knots and defects than No. 2, but it’s still used for less demanding structural purposes, like temporary structures or support not carrying heavy loads.
What we have in our store is dimensional lumber, which has a straight grain and few knots, if any. That’s what you want for decks, as knots are weak points in the wood fiber and so cannot sustain heavy loads compared to wood with a straight grain. To withstand the coldest winter storms, you want to use only No.1 and No.2 lumber grades.
Also, knots tend to absorb more water as they have larger voids. In winter, water freezes and expands, and if the water inside knots does, it splits the wood fibers. Over time, your deck loses structural integrity and it will be unsafe.
What is the best decking for harsh winters?
If you ask us, the expert woodworkers, what we recommend for decks is cedar wood. It is a fantastic wood for decks, being naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects, which makes it perfect for outdoor use. Cedar also holds up well in different weather conditions, summer or winter, and it’s not likely to warp or crack.
It’s light and easy to work with, plus it smells great! We have a variety of dimensional cedar lumber perfect for structures including wood decks.
Can I leave my deck unstained over winter?
Wood absorbs water naturally, and so leaving it without protection like a sealer can cause it to get damaged during wintertime. Wood stain is not enough to protect wood since it only adds color. To protect your deck during winter snows, use several coats of wood sealer instead.
- A wood sealer, as the name implies, seals the fibers and pores of the wood and prevents water from entering. Do apply wood stain before rain or snow sets in. Here are important tips for applying wood sealer:
- Clean wood first with a pressure washer. Let the wood dry completely.
- If the wood feels rough, sand it first. Sanding smooths out the surface and opens up the wood’s pores, so the sealer absorbs better. After sanding, wipe the wood down with a damp cloth to remove dust. Let it dry again.
- For optimum protection, use an oil-based sealer. It sure dries slowly, but it soak deeper into the wood and gives better protection, especially against moisture. Water-based sealers dry faster and are easier to clean up, but they don’t penetrate as deep.
- Apply the sealer with long, even strokes, following the grain of the wood. Let it soak in for up to 30 minutes, and wipe off the excess.
- You have to let it dry for 24 hours. And then, apply a second coating to properly treat the wood. That is needed for decks, which is often a high-traffic area.
Do deck boards shrink in winter?
Wood deck boards tend to shrink or swell depending on the weather. That’s why they have spaces between each board and there are specifics in the hardware to use like having long screws to accommodate the changes of size.
Make sure to think ahead and construct wood decks with durable wood. Douglas fir is also a good material for wood decks as it is durable and easy to work with. Just apply the sealer and maintain it, and it will last.
4×6 Douglas Fir True Dimensions Lumber
6×6 Douglas Fir True Dimensions Lumber
8×8 Douglas Fir True Dimensions Lumber
Buy top grade wood boards here in Black Beards Woodworking & Sawmill
Choosing to add a wood deck to your home is always a nice addition. It is a beautiful, nature-inspired decor that is also a practical one. Make sure that they last through winter with our tips.
Also, if you choose to buy douglas fir or cedar lumber for your deck, or want someone to build it for you, head to us at Black Beards. We are experts in everything wood and we got the lumber you need for your beautiful wood deck. Buy from us now!