Trailer Decking And Different Lumber Choices for Trailer Decking 

Trailer floor decking can be done using various types of wood. The choice of the material is dependent on factors such as the type of goods the trailer will carry, whether it will operate on the interstate or will it deliver goods from the container depot to the dock or airport and back. The weather also has a role to play here. For instance, whether you want a wood that is water and mold resistant, or you want something that can withstand extreme heat. The choice of the wood is determined by all these factors, in addition to your budget and business practices.

A few choices of wood are described here so you can choose the correct lumber for trailer decking.

Southern Yellow Pine: Used to create a standard pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine lumber, the tree is found in the southern region of the United States. The lumber has a high load bearing capacity. It is one of the hardest pines and provides good trailer floor decking, though the lumber has knots.

Douglas Fir: The lumber from this tree is known for its dimensional stability. It is sourced from the Western United States. It is a strong wood and has natural rot resistance. It is a low priced wood but can again have some knots in certain places. The knots are less than those found in Yellow Pine trees. The trick is to choose lumber with no or minimal knots.

Cotton Wood: The cotton wood lumber is one of the lightest and cheapest options available in the market, with trailer makers preferring the white poplar variety. The fact that the lumber does not splinter makes it a better choice than hardwood lumber. However, the life of this lumber is very less, sometimes as low as 2 years.

Oak: It is considered the toughest flooring choice for trailers. It is more durable than Standard Pine and Douglas fir though also costlier. White oak is a popular choice among trailer owners.

Apitong: This variety is a popular choice due to its hardness that makes it great for rough use. Also known as Keruing, the lumber from this tree is harder than Oak and Southern Pine lumber and almost three times stronger than both of them. However, it is also heavy and not easy to install on the trailer – but can last for years once installed.

Blackwood: This lumber is often used as an upgraded wood. It is upgraded with high-quality rubber infused panels. It goes under a computerized process in which the warping is minimized. It is safer to use and provides extra traction while loading or unloading.