What Are The Pros And Cons Of Timber Decking

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Timber Decking? You want to construct a deck out of natural wood. Natural wood has a timeless appeal, so you’re over to a good start. All that’s left to do now is choose the decking wood. Timber decking is becoming more popular as a material for trendy or modern gardens.

Timber does have an intrinsic warmth but also beauty that enriches its surroundings, softening and calming the ambiance. Timber decking is not only aesthetically pleasing to plants with whom it has a native synergy, but it also combines well with the other components and provides a lot of design versatility.

It permits you to create one-of-a-kind and intriguing places in both private as well as public spaces.

What exactly is Timber Decking?

Timber decking is a kind of building material that is commonly used to build outdoor decks as well as patios. Based on the particular appearance and qualities of the finished building, this material could be made from a range of soft and hardwood species.

This timber decking provides outdoor constructions with a genuine rustic aesthetic that metal and composite materials can’t match. Homeowners that construct a timber deck will expand their living area and add an outdoor dining and gathering area.

Pros and Cons of Timber Decking

Pros:

• Timber could be the most cost-effective alternative in the short run, depending on the sort of wood you select. The lowest cost of materials of every decking style is stress treated wood.
  
• Timber has a more natural appearance. Maybe you need the rustic appeal that only wood can provide. Plastic and aluminium decking solutions don’t have the same natural warmth that wood has. Timber could also be stained in a variety of colours and fashions, and it could be polished in a variety of textures and patterns.
  
• Labour costs can be cheap when using redwood, pressure cured wood or cedar. According to some sources, those materials are amongst the most affordable upfront installation prices. It’s simple to deal with because it can be cut, sculpted, as well as sanded.
  
• Wood decking made of redwood and cedar is less prone to breaking as compared to the cheaper alternatives. These could also be more resistant to insects and rotting when high-quality wood is utilised.
  
• Timber decking is adaptable, and it’s simple to cut it up and reassemble it in new forms and layouts.
  
• Hardwood decking solutions can last for 40 years or more and need less maintenance as compared to the less expensive alternatives.

Cons:

• What you pay for is what you get. The lifespan of cheaper timber choices is only 10-15 years, and that is only when properly maintained. It is readily scratched and stained, as well as splitting and splintering.
  
• Timber decking needs a lot of upkeep; it needs to be painted and stained every year, which can add to the expense of the decking. Every year or so, it has to be cleaned as well as resealed. Upkeep could be costly and time-consuming, but also weather-damaged boards might have to be rebuilt.
  
• Hardwood lumber is more durable but could be very expensive in terms of both supplies and labour. Custom-made and Pre-drilling designs can drive up labour and development costs.
  
• Even while lumber is regarded as a renewable resource, it nonetheless necessitates the felling of trees. It could take time and plenty of investigation to find decent, environmentally friendly wood.

Pros and cons of hardwood and softwood decking-
Types of timber decking

Hardwood decking

Hardwood is undoubtedly the most common decking material.

Pros

• Decking is initially appealing due to the evident beauty of hardwood. Hardwoods are the most colourful and warm woods, with a wide range of natural hues and variances.
  
• A high-end item that feels and looks excellent and functions similarly to an interior product when used outside.
  
• Extremely long-lasting and resistant naturally to splitting as well as other problems.
  
• Pliable, allowing it to be tailored to fulfil a variety of requirements.
  
• No requirement for screws or nails because undetectable fastenings are possible.
  

Cons

• Quality hardwoods are pricey, and excessive material costs might result in an expensive deck installation.
• Maintenance is required, including oiling as well as staining every year.

Decking made of softwood (treated pine)

Softwoods, such as treated pine, are yet another preferred decking material

Pros

• Cost-effective.
• Due to the closely packed wood fibres, it is extremely durable.
• Because of the vibrant colour of the wood, it can be dyed in a variety of colours.
• Smooth, gripping, and grooved designs are all available.
• It is environmentally friendly because it is produced on plantations.

Cons

• It will have to be treated and stained every year, and it will need to be maintained.
• Not as eye-catching as high-end hardwood choices.
• Leading to a shortage of maintenance, it can soon deteriorate as well as turn grey.

What are the Benefits of Timber Decking?

Timber decking is a fairly new way of life and has quickly become a popular alternative to typical hard terraces as well as patios. The ‘new garden,’ in which the exterior is regarded as an ‘outdoor chamber,’ is one of the most prominent concepts in modern landscaping. Timber decking is a wonderful technique to increase a building’s living space – outside – throughout this context.

Timber decking is incredibly versatile, generating extra social space which is ideal for playing, entertaining, dining, or lounging. Regardless of why you want to create a deck, it’s one of the most desirable additions to a home.

Sloped, undulating, or irregular garden landscapes can be tapped into with timber decking. Furthermore, raised or split-level decks could be built on level land to introduce additional aspects to your garden but also give it a distinct appearance.

When compared to conventional standard hard terraces or patio, the advantages of timber decking in landscaping projects include:

• Gives a high visual appeal in conjunction with your landscape and environment.
• Creates a relaxed surface for sitting, walking, and even laying on.
• Warmth and atmosphere are created for late evenings.
• Covers over ugly items like inspection covers as well as drains.
• It is simple to change or expand
• Reduces the amount of time spent excavating and preparing the ground.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Timber Decking – Conclusion

Compared to several other garden materials, timber wood is a more environmentally friendly option. Harvesting and converting lumber uses significantly less energy and produces far less pollution than some other man-made items made of non-renewable basic materials.