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A couple of years ago I had the chance to tour several newly constructed Adirondack homes.  One of the areas that particularly stood out for me while touring these homes were the decks.  All used Mahogany wood for both the decking and the railing systems.  The red color and the general beauty of the Mahogany wood was unique to anything I had ever seen before in decking material.

After completing my home tours I went out and researched Mahogany wood decking further. First, there are several species and colors of Mahogany wood decking, supplied by various countries around the world. Not all are the same, however.  It is the species known as American Mahogany that has the rich red color that I had observed. American Mahogany comes from the West Indies, Mexico, and Central and South America. 

Since discovering and researching Mahogany wood decking, I have built two deck systems using this material. As I had indicated earlier, it is a hard wood that as a result, requires a little more effort in its installation.

Fastening Materials for securing Mahogany Wood 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 stainless steel 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.

For more help on building a new Deck, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's Deck Installation Bid Sheet. The Deck Installation Bid Sheet will teach your how to hire the right deck contractor, and help to ensure that your deck project is completed on time and budget.

How to Finance your Deck Project -  can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is required.

- Mahogany Wood Decking -

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