One of the first things you learn when you’re interested in DIY home renovation is that different types of materials come with different price tags. So it’s no surprise that decking comes in many varieties; most popularly, cheap softwood boards and expensive hardwoods like teak or treated pine. There are also composite decking boards which are made from a composite of recycled plastics, so there are lots of types for us to explore in this article.
We’re about to give an opinion on which solution might be best for your decking project, but before I do, let us quickly go over some background info. When using wood (instead of synthetic decking boards), one reason why people choose softwood over hardwoods is that they assume it will be cheaper. This can be true for certain projects, but not always. It really depends on where you buy your supplies from and what quantities you buy. A really big advantage of using hardwoods though is that they are naturally more weather resistant than softwoods.
What must be considered before you begin shopping for your decking boards? If you plan to use composite products, make sure it’s a good one with no plasticisers added. Do not buy any product containing more than 1% polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some companies might claim their product contains only small amounts but if anything over 1% has been used there will be stability problems long term and this usually shows up as cracks in the end product which means the finish will start flaking off after about 3 years or so. You should also try and stick to either European or North American brands when buying composites.
What about oak?
Oak decking can be a great choice in some situations, however, you need to understand that it can warp. It’s also very susceptible to weather changes and it accepts stains differently than other wood types. If you want to be absolutely sure about no cracking or warping, make sure you choose a product that is specifically advertised as ‘protected’ (which basically means the top layer of the product has been infused with resin).
Oak can look great though and if done properly will last for many years – not only that but its main benefit is that it will be much cheaper than most premium decking materials. Make sure you are ready for this though because even protected oak takes at least 14 months before it looks finished!
If money isn’t an issue then go with composite or pressure-treated pine. They are both easy on the eye, tough enough to withstand most weather. So there you have it, these are just a few of the main types of decking products available on the market. With all products, it’s best to choose a high-quality decking supplier with plenty of experience delivering top quality products.