Real Wood, Real Choices
North American consumers have many beautiful, homegrown choices for real wood decking. Like Southern Pine, the other three most popular wood decking species – cedar, cypress, and redwood – are all sourced from local forests. While exotic hardwoods are sometimes extracted from endangered tropical rainforests, sustainable forestry practices in North America ensure that our source of wood will remain healthy and growing for future generations. Visit the links below to learn more about, cedar, cypress and redwood.
North American Wood Decking: Grown Local, Certified & Sustainable
Third-party forest certification programs assure consumers that North American wood decking products are sourced from lands that are regenerated and managed to protect wildlife habitat and maintain biodiversity.
Characteristics of North American Lumber Species Typically Used for Decking
|
Heartwood decay resistance |
Moderate2 |
Good |
Moderate3 |
Moderate4 |
|
Availability |
Very Good |
Good |
Good |
Limited |
|
Price |
Low |
Moderate |
Low/Moderate |
High |
|
Color when new |
Honey/Gold |
Amber/Sienna |
Reddish/Honey |
Reddish/Cream |
|
Color weathered |
Gray |
Gray |
Gray |
Gray |
|
Density5 (lbs/ft3) |
35.6 |
22.4 |
31.4 |
24.5 |
|
Hardness6 (lbf) |
690 |
350 |
510 |
420 |
|
Impact bending7 (inches) |
30 |
17 |
25 |
15 |
|
Static bending8 |
|
Modulus of Rupture9 (lbf/in2) |
12,800 |
7,500 |
10,600 |
7,900 |
|
Modulus of Elasticity10 (x106 psi) |
1.79 |
1.11 |
1.44 |
1.10 |
|
Work to Maximum Load11 (in-lb/ft3) |
10.4 |
5.8 |
8.2 |
5.2 |
|
Max joist span12 (thickness x width) |
24" (5/4 x 6) |
16" (5/4 x 6) |
16” (5/4 x 6) |
24” (6/4 x 6) |
|
1 For comparison, values for density, hardness, impact, and static bending are based upon lower strength young growth Cypress and Redwood, and Loblolly Pine, lowest in strength of the four commercial species of Southern Yellow Pine.
2 Southern Yellow Pine is commonly preservative treated for outdoor use, resulting in excellent resistance to decay.
3 Young growth cypress. Old growth cypress rated “good,” but not widely available.
4 Young growth redwood. Old growth redwood rated “good,” but not widely available.
5 Density (weight per unit of volume) is probably the single most important indicator of strength in wood, and may predict such characteristics as hardness and fastener holding power.
6 Hardness is an indicator of resistance to indentation. Value represents load required to embed a 0.444-in metal ball to one-half its diameter.
7 Reflects ability of member to absorb shock of impact. Value represents height of the drop of a 50 lb. hammer necessary to cause to cause rupture of the beam, or deflection of 6 inches or more.
8 Bending strength at less than 12% moisture content.
9 Maximum load carrying capacity of a member in bending.
10 Ability of member to recover from low-stress deformation after loads are removed.
11 Measure of the combined strength and toughness of member under bending stresses.
12 Perpendicular to joists.
Decay resistance and design value data compiled by the Southern Forest Products Association from the Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material; 1999; USDA Forest Products Laboratory.
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