When it comes to owning a rental property, there are a lot of things to remember from maintenance, home insurance, housekeeping, and keeping up with all the necessary paperwork. It can all become very overwhelming, very fast. The last thing you want to worry about are the products you are using to renovate your property. As a rental property owner, it is always a good idea in between tenants to make sure nothing needs to be repaired or replaced to help with renting it out again. Improving the look and feel of the home will not only increase the value of the home in the long run, but it will also help with getting the attention of renters. The first step to renovating your rental property should be the outdoor space starting with the deck. You’re probably wondering what is the best type of wood to use for your deck? Well, there are many options so let’s break them down.
Our Top Decking Options when Renovating Your Rental
The first one is Hem Fir, which is untreated lumber that isn’t always used for decking boards. However this doesn’t mean you can’t use it as a decking option. Many people tend to choose Hem Fir because of its solid coloring and strength. Hem Fir is very durable and easy to work with, which makes it an ideal species for a deck build. The only downside to using this type of wood is that it requires a lot of upkeep and repairs to keep it looking its best. As far as affordability, you are looking at the lower range which makes it appealing for rental managers for sure.
Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar is the next popular decking option. This is usually used for fence boards, but is a beautiful wood that can be left untreated because of the oils it has within it. It is extremely resistant to weather and has a very vibrant red coloring. Some of the advantages to using this type of wood is that it is sustainable, because it is a natural product which helps the environment. It is also very appealing to the eye with its rich coloring and strong wood grain. There is no way to mimic the natural look that Western Red Cedar has. The only disadvantage is that is may lose its coloring and turn grey over time, however this can be avoided with the proper care.
Redwood Decking
Let’s move on to Redwood Decking, which is a very common deck material in addition to being used for fences and other outdoor structures. Redwood decking can sometimes be hard to find, which tends to push most people away, however it is very beautiful and versatile. It never tends to lose its red color and it requires little maintenance to keep it looking like new. The only things to look out for are splintering and the limited availability of some suppliers.
Ipe Decking
Ipe Decking is an incredibly beautiful and unique decking option. Being an exotic hardwood, Ipe instantly makes you feel like you are on a tropical island. Unlike most composite or plastic decking, Ipe retains less heat which decreases the chances of damage. It is also very dense, which makes it durable. Ipe is one of the toughest species of wood and is gorgeous when treated and installed properly. The only downsides to Ipe are that is does tend to be more expensive and the fasteners need be clipped on the board, which can make install slower and require more labor. Otherwise, Ipe is more than worth the cost.
Pressure Treated
Lastly, we have Pressure Treated wood like Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Ponderosa Pine, and Yellow Pine. All of these species have been treated to take away any bugs or fungus that were once in the boards, which tends to make the boards last longer than most. They are durable enough to stand up to weather and high traffic areas and look great with little to no maintenance.
We hope this little break down on renovating your rental helped you decide what type of decking is best for your deck project given the characteristics of each type. Each type of wood is perfect for certain deck builds and certain environments, which is why it is important that you shop around and make sure you pick the best option for your rental property.
