Mahogany decking

They’re  many species of Mahogany decking and colors too, supplied by many countries around the world. However, not all Mahogany decking are the same. The one I refer to and do most, is the species known as American Mahogany. American Mahogany has the deep rich red color that we’ve all come to love, especially here in Boston, MA where I’ve built a lot of decks using Mahogany decking. American Mahogany comes from the West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America.

Mahogany decking is viewed as a harder decking that is highly durable and has a resistance to moisture and insects. Since Mahogany decking is a harder wood, it has a tendency not to split, warp, or cup. So be sure to ask your contractor or supplier what type of species of decking you’ll like to have. Also, please note Mahogany decking will be a little more expensive than pressure-treated decking, however it’s well worth the investment and looks great to home-buyers and is durable.

Fastening materials for securing Mahogany decking

First, use stainless steel nails or screws on both the mahogany wood decking and railing systems, as other types will not penetrate Mahogany wood decking very well. My preference was the stainless steel nails, however pre-drilling holes is mandatory if not using a nail gun. Even with stainless steel nails, they will bend trying to simply nail them into the mahogany wood decking. I found that with the hex head screws that they chewed the wood going in and left somewhat of a ragged finish on the surface of the mahogany wood.

Second, when installing the mahogany wood decking, I found it aesthetically most attractive to create a frame on the outside perimeter of the deck surface using long Mahogany decking boards. Once the outer frame is installed, then the main Mahogany decking boards can be simply installed within this outer framework. The result is a cleaner line when viewed from a distance or standing on the deck itself.

Regarding the mahogany railing system, screws and bolts should be used exclusively as the material use in this part of the deck is typically thicker and requires more rigidity.

Staining or Sealing Mahogany Wood Decking

Mahogany wood decking takes paint and stain well, however I have preferred to apply a clear sealer.  The clear sealer enables the natural red color of the Mahogany decking to shine through, while still providing a layer of protection from the environment. Typically I re-apply the clear sealer every year to continue to preserve the color. If you do not, the Mahogany will bleach out.

If you live in Massachusetts or Rhode Island and in need of a deck contractor, feel free to click on any highlighted link on this page, and you’ll be directed to my website.

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This entry was posted on 24. May 2009 at 23:53 and is filed under News and updates, Decks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.