Redwood Decks

The Pros and Cons of Redwood Decks

Redwood decks look absolutely gorgeous. That marvelously rich, red, deep color naturally evolves into a soft gray/red blend over time. You just can’t beat the look, as opposed to simple pressure-treated wood, composite and most other decking materials.

But like anything else, there are pluses and negatives to redwood. As far as a Redwood Deck goes, keep the following information in mind if you are considering this gorgeous, long-lasting and durable hardwood for your next decking project.

Redwood Decks – the Pros

• Redwood decks are going to cost less to make, in most cases, than hardwood decks and those constructed of man-made compounds and materials. (You save money.)
• Since redwood decks are easier to build because the wood is more “construction friendly” than hardwoods, your decking contractor can provide you with lower labor costs. (You save money.)
• Redwood decks are less prone to warping, splitting and shrinking the outdoor living experiences constructed with pressure-treated wood. (You save money, and your deck looks better longer.)
• When you use heartwood, which is the older and stronger part of the redwood tree, there is a lower chance of rotting, and it is much tougher for insects to take up residency in your deck. (You save money on maintenance, and enjoy a safer deck.)

Redwood Decks – the Cons

• Hey, you probably understand that you get what you pay for. That is the case with homeowners that build redwood decks. You will pay more money than you will for the lower-quality pressure-treated decking which most homeowners choose.
• When untreated, you can only expect about 15 or 20 years of life before you will have to consider repairing or replacing your redwood deck.
• If you deal with an unknowing or unscrupulous deck builder, you may end up paying top dollar for inferior redwood lumber that is made from outer (newer) tree growth. This can lead to a shorter life expectancy and more maintenance on your part.

Your Redwood Decks Bottom Line

The takeaway here? Redwood decks cost more money to build than basic pressure-treated decks. And you will have to retreat your deck every few years. Also, if the redwood selected by your deck builder comes from the wrong part of the tree, you could be paying more for lower quality redwood material.

But since redwood is so easy to build, you save on labor costs. And when you team up with a reputable and respected decking contractor, you benefit from the longer life and higher quality product that using the “right” part of the redwood tree delivers.

If you decide to go cheap and use pressure-treated wood, you are going to be retreating your deck anyway. You may as well choose redwood, spend less money over time, and enjoy the gorgeous, deep red color that just cannot be matched with more expensive, composite woods and hardwoods.

If you still have questions about the pros and cons of redwood decks, take a couple of minutes right now and give DallasDeckCraft.com a call at 214-384-4267. We will come out to your house and provide you with a deck quote at a time which is convenient for you. You benefit from our 35 years of building outdoor living experiences in the Dallas, Texas Metropolitan area, and we would love to add you to our long list of satisfied clients.