Here are some of the best woods for decks and porches. The use of rain forest woods can be controversial. If you choose ipé for your deck, make sure that it carries the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) trademark, which certifies that the wood has been harvested responsibly. Established importers such as IpeDepot use the term FSC Ipe Decking to describe their products. The California Redwood Association (CRA) represents timber companies in the American northwest. Like other responsible wood harvesters, CRA timberlands are certified as well-managed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). “Philippine Mahogany” is not a genuine mahogany. The term “Philippine” is a trading name for Shorea woods from southeast Asia sold in North America. In Australia, this wood is sold as “Pacific Maple.” Nevertheless, Philippine Mahogany has many of the wonderful features of true mahogany. The hardness of wood is rated by the Janka hardness test, a number that will be associated with the type of wood you buy. A lower number is softer wood than a higher Janka harness scale number, so you can easily compare between species. To get you started, AlansFactoryOutlet.com has created a handy infographic they call 75 Types of Wood Ranked by Janka Hardness and How They Are Used.
Wood Pretenders
Wood is a natural product, but it does require using a sealant to preserve its color and sheen. You might be tempted to use a “mock wood” such as a plastic polymer or wood-polymer composites. These synthetic and composite materials are virtually bug-proof and rot proof. However, even modern materials require maintenance to preserve their wood-like appearance. Unless covered with paint or an opaque stain, mock woods will always appear artificial.
