A deck is flat surface that is elevated from the ground. It is usually connected to a building capable in supporting weight. There are types of decks that are seen everywhere. It can be seen in residential, large buildings, and boardwalks. In order to build a deck, materials are needed to construct this flat surface. Decks are made from treated lumber, composite materials and other hardwood materials. There have been artificial deck materials available in the market recently as an alternative to wood. They are often called "wood-plastic composites." The most basic deck material is wood. It is the most popular material available because of its long-lasting quality and the most economical way of building a deck. The wood is treated and the type of wood used is a Southern yellow pine. Some areas use a different type of wood depending on the availability. A Southern yellow pine is a greenish-colored type of wood and it becomes honey brown before fading it to gray. Redwood is a soft kind of wood that varies from a light red to a dark reddish-brown. Mahogany is a medium to dark red colored wood and few type of mahogany are used: the Honduras Mahogany, which is the true mahogany, and Philippine mahogany. This wood comes in different grades and dimensions. Some local retailers carry this type of wood and it already contains a built-in water repellent or is re-dried. Wood materials also have a chemical preservative and pressure treated. They offer a warranty against decay and termite damage. Some materials don't need any chemical preservatives like Redwood and Mahogany for they are very high resistant to decay. A wood material can be built by yourself or have a professional built it for you. The wood decking material can be painted or stained.
