Has anyone out there tried using Black Locust as a exterior deck floor? I’ve a floating “duckboard” type deck to build over EPDM membrane and my supplier tells me that 1) the mahogany he sells needs a yearly sealer application, and 2) the sealer attacks EPDM. I think locust would be fine unsealed, but wonder about its stabilty. Trex & other synthetics would be a last resort on this project……..Slainte’ murph
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I've used a lot of black locust, whenever I could. The deck on my old road grader has held up extremely well, unsealed, outside 365.
Referring to Hoadley's "Understanding Wood", black locust has tangential shrinkage of 7.2, radial of 4.6, ratio T/R of 1.6 which makes it more stable than most woods. But less stable than mahogany with 5.1, 3.7, and 1.4 which is extremely stable.
I'm surprised you can find enough black locust for a deck.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!