decking
Pressure-treated lumber decking
Southern yellow pine boards treated with copper-based preservative. The lowest-cost decking material; service life 15-20 years with regular maintenance.
Cost tier
BUDGET
Cost / sqft
$3–$8
Install
DIY
Durability
medium
Maintenance
high
Moisture
good
Cost notes
Annual sealing/staining recommended; without maintenance, surface checking + cracking accelerates.
Aesthetic
- Finish: natural, stained
- Color range: green-tinted (initial), weathered gray, stained any color
- Visual weight: medium
Climate suitability
✓ Hot-humid
✓ Hot-dry
✓ Mixed-humid
✓ Mixed-dry
✓ Cold
✓ Arctic
Code notes
IRC R317 requires pressure-treated wood for ground-contact and within 6" of grade. Use ground-contact PT for posts + framing.
Source
Architectural Graphic Standards — Architectural Graphic Standards (Ramsey/Sleeper) — Materials chapter
Tags: pressure-treated, wood, budget, PT