Welcome back, summer! With the return of the warmer weather comes the return of long days and nights spent in the backyard. In order to get the most enjoyment out of the season, though, it may be time to give your deck or patio space a makeover with help from J. Hoffman Lumber!

With so many reclaimed wood options available, you may be wondering which materials are durable enough to outlast the constantly changing Midwestern weather. According to the professionals at our lumberyard, these choices should be your go-to.

Houzz – Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design knows how to do summer right!

Douglas Fir

Reclaimed Douglas fir, with its excellent weathering properties, is our top choice for outdoor applications. It is extremely strong, stable, and stiff – all ideal traits for creating a deck or patio that will last.

Cedar

Another excellent lumber option for outdoor structures is cedar. The biggest perk to utilizing cedar? It is resistant to rot, decay, and insects.

Cypress

Similar to cedar, the natural oils in cypress make it resistant to rot and decay. This quality, coupled with its resilience and durability, make it ideal for use in fences, flower boxes, docks, and other outdoor structures as well.

Redwood

One of the major benefits to choosing redwood is how easy it is to work with. It is lightweight and manageable but not at the cost of stability and strength.