Before you start your project, it is import to discern what type of wood is used on your deck.
The major types are:
- Pine
- cedar/cypress
- Exotic woods (hardwoods, brazilian Ipe, Cumaru, Mahogany)
Pine:
Yellowish in appearance when new.
Cedar:
Will smell like Cedar, turns gray when exposed to the sun rather quickly. Softer than pressure treated pine.
Exotic wood:
The heaviest and most expensive of decking wood. Turns gray if not sealed, and you will not notice cracks, pften times will not see nail holes as the deck is built with hidden fasterners.