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Don’t let anybody tell you wood is not a “green” building product. Wood circulates energy savings throughout its life.To start, wood-frame construction is easy to insulate to high standards when compared to alternative framing materials. Wood itself has very good insulating properties. Inch for inch, wood is 16 times more efficient as an insulator than concrete, 415 times as efficient as steel, and 2,000 times as efficient as aluminum.When it comes to manufacturing wood products, wood again is the most efficient. The process of manufacturing wood products uses very little energy. Wood products make up 47 percent of all industrial...

Of course, homeowners bear the greatest burden for keeping new decks free from mold, but there are some things a builder can do: Gap the decking properly (minimum 1/8”) for drainage. Pitch the deck properly away from the house for drainage (minimum 1/8” in 8’). Space the ledger away from the wall with a 3/4” gap so that air can circulate behind it; allowing air to circulate behind it not only helps to prevent mold but discourages rot as well.

The choice of exterior wood finishes is dependent on the manner in which it will be used.    All-acrylic latex paints are the most durable house paints, but oil-based paint films usually provide the best protection from water and water vapor.  Although latex paints allow water to pass through more readily, they adhere better when wood swells and shrinks.    High-gloss paints last longer than low-gloss paints, because they contain more paint resin and less pigment.  Solid-color stains are best for textured or rough-sawn lumber, and over existing paints.    Water-repellent preservatives prevent warping and checking.  Water-repellent preservatives that are paintable decrease the...