*AD – guest post. With summer just around the corner, many people are thinking of ways to add to their gardens to make the most of their outside space. One project that some may be thinking of taking on is the construction of a decking. This means choosing the right timber.
Although the joists of your deck are not visible, they are vital. These important beams support the boards of the deck, creating a firm structure that stops your garden chair from falling through to the earth below. With so much weight literally resting on these beams, it’s important to make a good decision when it comes to choosing the materials for your decking frame. These materials not only need to live up to local building codes but also need to guarantee the durability and sturdiness of your entire project. In the information to follow we will consider what you need to think about when making your decision, the best wood for the job, and the sizes you will need to investigate.
The Three Big Factors
The three big factors to think about when making your choice regarding decking joists are budget, strength, and quality.
If you have a tighter budget but still need strength and quality, softwood-treated timber is a great way to go, as well as pressure-treated softwood. If your budget allows, you can also move away from softwood like cedar and spruce, to hardwood like oak.
As a general rule, however, pressure-treated wood is the best option. Untreated woods won’t last as long or contribute to a lasting decking, which when you’re making any kind of investment is what you want to achieve.
See Related: Spring Into Action – Start the Gardening Year Right this Spring
Why Choose Pressure Treated Timber?
The pressure treatment of wood involves a process that forces preservatives and fire retardants into the wood itself. This is considered to be one of the best and most effective ways to extend and preserve the life of timber. The preservatives are added to woodwork to protect the material from attack. Attacks can come from wood-eating insects or fungal decay.
Due to both its affordability and resistance to attack, pressure-treated timber is a popular choice for load-bearing beams. It has the upper hand over untreated softwood timbers as it is strengthened against destruction from moisture and pests.
If you are looking to invest in wood that will give you safety and security for many years to come, pressure-treated wood is the way to go.
Think About the Size of the Timber
There’s more to choosing decking joists than just the material you select. You also need to select the size of the beam you will install.
The most commonly used sizes are 4 x 2, 6 x 2 or 8 x 2. There are a few factors that will affect the size of the beam you choose. Things like how frequently you can support the joists right down to the floor, or the total width of your decking area, will determine the size of the joist you choose to go for. Furthermore, the more decking boards you add, the smaller the size of timber you may be able to use. This will help you to save on both space and cost.
Final Words
Whether you decide to use pressure-treated softwood or 4×2 treated timber, with the right research and investigation you will be able to make the best choice. By finding the right timber for this project, you can be sure to build a decking that you can enjoy for many years to come. Evenings in the sun, BBQs in the garden, and afternoons with family and friends are all waiting to be enjoyed on the solid, long-lasting decking you decide to build.
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