Assessing Deck Safety

MILL VALLEY — In the past, many wood decks were built with Douglas fir wood, but time has shown it’s not a good material to use due to its susceptibility to rot. During my 30 years as a deck builder in Marin County, I’ve had to replace countless Douglas fir decks that were rotted out, which in many cases created very dangerous conditions. In particular, if a deck’s support beams are compromised, they could potentially break and cause the whole thing to fall apart. For this reason, if you have an old Douglas fir deck, I recommend having it professionally assessed for safety.

If you need to replace a Douglas fir deck, don’t repeat the same mistake that was made in the past: Use a high-quality, pressure-treated redwood or cedar product. If well-maintained, these materials will last a lifetime, ensuring safety and giving you a great value for your investment.