Lumber

Beyond its warmth and organic texture, lumber offers a level of accessibility and versatility that stone and concrete cannot easily replicate. It serves as the structural backbone for everything from decks, steps, and privacy fencing to unique features like boardwalks and bridges. Although wood is easier to install, it is prone to decay and is inherently more temporary than masonry. To maximize the life of your project, always prioritize rot-resistant species or pressure-treated lumber for any application involving direct ground contact and leave room for air circulation when you can.

Notes:

• Wet wood—especially in shaded garden areas—can become dangerously slick due to algae growth. To combat this you can:

• Apply deck stains that have a fine “grit” or sand mixed in for traction.
• Affix something to the wood surface to improve traction.
• Choose a more exotic wood like Ipe or Cedar that has better natural traction than standard pressure-treated pine, which tends to get “slimy” faster.

Potential tools needed:

• Saw of some kind (hand saw, miter, circular)
• Hand Drill
• Impact Driver