Building materials can make or break a project. With the right lumber, your new construction will look great and last for years. No amount of skill, however, can compensate for using the wrong materials. Jaeger Lumber offers a building material comparison that breaks down the pros, cons, and applications, helping you find the right product for your project.
Lumber Building Material Comparisons
The best construction material is not one-size-fits-all. The best lumber for a cabinet, for instance, may not be ideal for an outdoor porch or deck. Instead, materials should be selected for their particular application. It’s important to understand the requirements of your project and choose a lumber type that meets those demands. Outdoor construction like decking imposes new restrictions. Not only must your building materials be strong, but they must also be able to withstand direct weather exposure.
Softwood
Softwoods like cedar and pine are among the most widely used building materials. They are inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to work with. They are also vulnerable to moisture, fading, and destructive pests, meaning that softwoods offer the least long-term value, especially in outdoor applications. Staining and sealing can extend the lifespan of softwood, but these options can be high in ongoing maintenance.
Hardwood
If you’re looking for natural wood with more durability, hardwood may be the way to go. Oak, walnut, maple, and more exotic woods like Ipe and mahogany offer greater resilience than their softer cousins. They are still susceptible to moisture and weathering, however, and even richly-toned woods will fade when exposed to sunlight. Hardwood also tends to be expensive.
Pressure-Treated Wood
Pressure treating is a popular way to extend the lifespan of soft wood. The process involves placing wood, usually pine, into a chamber that applies high amounts of pressure to compress and harden the fibers. It offers deeper and more robust protection than surface sealants. Even compressed, however, this material is still organic and therefore vulnerable to moisture and erosion.
Composite
This lumber type is made using a 50-50 mixture of recycled wood fibers and waste plastics. The wood fibers provide the lightweight strength you look for in a wood product, while the plastic additives protect against mold and rot. As a result, composite decking and accessories are more weather-resistant than other lumber types. It’s also available in a wide array of colors for limitless customization.
Soft and Hard Plywood
Plywood is a type of engineered wood that’s popular due to its high strength and low cost. It’s graded with a letter, A through D, based on the quality of its veneer. A-grade plywood is smooth, attractive, and easy to finish, while D comes with large blemishes. Higher grades may be appropriate for visible features such as cabinets, while low-grade lets you cut costs on construction that will remain out of sight.
CDX Plywood
This unique grade of plywood is made using the two most inexpensive grades, C and D, meaning that it looks rough but is extremely inexpensive. The X indicates added water resistance – an extra feature that isn’t shared by most plywood grades. This makes CDX plywood ideal for building in high-moisture environments such as sheds, workshops, and garages.
Shop for Building Materials Today
If you need assistance with building material comparisons, get help from the experts at Jaeger Lumber. We’ve been in the business for over 80 years, giving us extensive experience with construction and supplies. Our knowledgeable sales associates are available at locations across New Jersey to answer questions and provide advice. Contact us today to find out more or request a free quote.
