How to Build a Tropical Hardwood Deck

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Tropical hardwood is extremely durable, consistent and stable. There are no toxic preservatives, and it requires little maintenance. Tropical hardwood also is resistant to splitting and splintering. Here's how to build a deck with this versatile material.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Choose which type of tropical hardwood you're interested in. There are a number of different tropical hardwoods available, including mahogany, lauan, teak, bongossi, bilinga, ekki, angelim vermelho, kwila and ipe. They're all durable so your choice is going to come down to what you like best in terms of looks.

Step2

Prepare yourself for the expense of tropical hardwood. Tropical hardwood is not as widely available as other types of wood, which means you have to pay more to get it in the United States.

Step3

Plot your deck out with a good set of blueprints drawn to scale with complete dimensions. Stick to this set of plans and don't veer off them.

Step4

Predrill the holes in your tropical hardwood deck for screws or nails. Tropical hardwoods are dense, so you'll need predrilled holes.

Step5

Sand the surface of your tropical hardwood as it ages to bring out its original brightness. Tropical hardwood weathers naturally to a smooth, silvery sheen. But you can restore its original brightness by sanding it smooth.

Tips & Warnings

Ask your lumber provider whether the tropical hardwood has come from well-managed forests or from forests where clear cutting has happened. If you care about environmental usage of your tropical hardwood, buy your wood only from a dealer that offers products certified by environmental organizations.