13 Jul Hardwoods, Softwoods & Composite Decking
Do a Google search for ‘Best wood for decking in Cape Town’ and you’ll find over half a million results, all presented in less than a second! So, if you’re in search of a decking timber solution, how on earth do you choose? While choice is good and as consumers we’re constantly (and rightly) insisting on more and more choice; with so much to choose from, making the right decisions can be tough. If you’re in Cape Town and in the market for a Hardwood /Softwood or Composite deck right now, we’d like to help you make the right choices for your unique project.
HARDWOODS
Luxury look: Put it this way: Premium composite decking is out to mimic the rich appearance of these beautiful boards.
Tough: All these decking boards are hard enough to stand up to hail, claws, and heels.
Durable: They’re immune to insects and rot, even if they meet the ground.
Stable: These hardwoods don’t shrink as much as pressure-treated softwoods or expand and contract with temperature fluctuations like plastics and composites do.
Fire-resistant: If a hardwood deck does catch fire, it won’t billow toxic smoke like one made of composite boards or pressure-treated lumber will.
Hardwood decking timber options:
- Teak decking
- Ipe decking
- Garapa decking
- Balau decking
SOFTWOODS
How do I choose between hardwood decking or softwood decking?” is a commonly asked question. With considerable differences in the price of hardwood decking and softwood decking, it’s easy to see why people often labour over this decision.
Softwood timber, which is used for softwood decking comes from faster growing, evergreen, or coniferous trees. The most commonly used softwood for decking is pine.
“How durable is the option I’m considering? Durability is important when it comes to choosing the right decking for your project.”
Pine is certainly one of the most versatile timbers in the world and is another popular choice for decking. It feels good to walk on and the warm golden colour of treated Pine is beautiful. Because it is plentiful, it is usually very affordable. But it is a softwood and if left unstained or painted it could be adversely affected by sun, moisture, and physical wear-and-tear. Pine is the material that is primarily used for building your decks substructure, infills, balustrades and fences.
Although softwood decking is undoubtedly a cheaper, more economical decking solution, if you are investing in decking for the long term there is little doubt that hardwood decking will prove more economical long term. Although softwood decking will look great when you first install it, it will typically start to show real signs of decay after a couple of years. Hardwood decking, on the other hand, with a bit of maintenance, will last for many years. In fact, some hardwood varieties will even start to look better as they age.
COMPOSITE DECKING
Composite decking is a blend of plastic film and wood fibres. The plastic film that goes into composite decking can include polypropylene or polyethylene. These plastics work well with wood fibres to create a strong, resilient material that is more stable than only plastic decking.
Composite is resistant to splintering, rotting, and warping. They are also non-slip.
Composite “wood products” are aesthetically appealing, hassle free and long lasting
Composite is relatively affordable and competitively priced against timber products.
Guaranteed for 10, 15 and 25 years (depending on the specific product), long outlasting their guarantees. There are also options now for stain resistant composite wood products.
Composite is Environmentally friendly and usually made from recycled materials.
Decking Pro provides its clients with the best possible wooden and composite decks. By implementing the latest trends, listening to your vision and sourcing the best possible hardwoods, softwoods and composite timbers – leave it to us to breathe life into your home. Contact us to get your project off the ground!