If you do choose pressure-treated lumber, be sure it has been treated with less toxic chemicals like alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or copper azole instead of chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a toxic substance that was discontinued in 2003.
On the other hand, pressure-treated wood can easily crack or warp, plus regular maintenance is required to keep it looking like new.
Pressure-treated wood: With affordability, availability and ease of installation rounding out its list of pros, it’s easy to see why pressure-treated lumber remains one of the top choices.Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common styles available to you: What kinds of decking can I choose from? Each material comes with its own set of pros and cons, so it’s important to fully understand how each one holds up to weather, insects and other hazards out of your control, as well as how often it needs to be maintained and other qualities. Whether you’re building an all-new deck or patio this summer or simply breathing some fresh air into an existing one, you should know the pros and cons of each material so you can pick one you’ll enjoy for years. Wood still happens to be the most popular choice in deck materials, however certain other materials are making a huge push toward the top of the list. If you’re still under the impression that the only way to build a deck is with wood, you might be surprised to find this isn’t true anymore.