10/06/2026
🔨 Pretty Decking Gets the Attention. We Pay Attention to What’s Underneath It, Too.
When you're planning a new deck, the fun part is usually choosing what you'll see — the decking color, railing style, stairs, and all the finishing touches.
But some of the choices that matter most happen underneath the deck boards.
One example? The lumber we use for framing.
Whenever available, Big Hammer uses KDAT lumber — Kiln Dried After Treatment.
So what does that actually mean?
Pressure-treated lumber contains a significant amount of moisture during the treatment process. With traditional wet treated lumber, much of that drying happens after the lumber leaves the treating facility. As wood dries, it naturally has the potential to shrink, twist, cup, warp, or check.
KDAT lumber goes through an additional kiln-drying process after it's pressure treated, reducing the moisture content before we build with it. This helps minimize the movement that can occur as traditional wet treated lumber dries and gives us a more dimensionally stable material to build with.
Why do we care?
Because those beautiful deck boards are being installed over the structure underneath them. Starting with more stable framing helps provide a better foundation for the finished deck above.
The framing may eventually be the part of your deck you notice the least — but it's one of the parts we think about the most. 🔨
When you're comparing deck projects, don't be afraid to ask what's going underneath those pretty deck boards, too!
📞 (937) 732-4507
🌐 www.bighammercontracting.com
📨[email protected]
🏠3700 W. Michigan St, Sidney
