Redwood Decks

Redwood decks are one of the most fire-resistant decks you can build. The Forest Products Laboratory of the University of California recently performed an experiment in fire performance among different decking materials. Twelve decking materials were tested, among them various woods, plastics, and wood-synthetic composites.

Out of all the materials tested, redwood came in first for fire resistance. The other decking materials deteriorated quickly, some after just minimal exposure to flame. The redwood resisted the flames and, unlike the other decking materials, experienced no flaming drops or particles, runaway flaming combustion, or structural collapse.

Redwood's Fireproof History

The redwood was the only material that, in a real-life fire situation, could have been counted upon to remain intact in the event of a fire. This is in some ways no surprise. Although no such comparison test had been done before, redwood has been used for more than a century for fireproofing doors and walls. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, terrible fires consumed much of the city. However, structures made of redwood survived intact and even helped impede the extent of the destruction.

Besides its safety properties, redwood has also long enjoyed a reputation for elegance and beauty. Its rich reddish color is unique among woods and lends a warm, welcoming tone to your overall landscaping scheme. The heartwood, or innermost core of the redwood tree, is extremely durable and resistant to rotting and wood-consuming bugs. Finally, redwood is easy to work with. It bonds well to other materials and is easy to paint, stain, and treat.