For homeowners that are looking to landscape their garden; timber decking remains one of the most popular features to install. The addition is especially welcome during the summer months and offers a great area to relax and enjoy the sun, whilst having a drink or doing a spot of barbecuing. However, whilst many consumers are happy to invest in decking; they will quite often do so without spending a little time learning about the materials that it is made from. There are numerous varieties of wood that can be used to create timber decking, but the most salient choice that you face is whether to go for softwood or hardwood.
Durability
On the whole hardwood trees tend to yield timber that is of higher density than softwood alternatives. This means that hardwood is typically heavier and also more durable than softwood. Therefore it is best suited to installations where the decking will be used on a regular basis by many people. Hardwood decking is also better able to stand up to severe weather; making it a good choice for cooler climates and where the decking will have little or no protection from the elements.
Due to the fact that it is less dense and lighter; softwood timber is more prone to weathering than hardwood options. In order to protect softwood decking from weather conditions you must treat it more often than you would with hardwood. However, that isn’t to say that softwood decking doesn’t have a good lifespan and if treated properly it can last in excess of 25 years.
Comparing finish
Most softwood timber decking is manufactured from various evergreen coniferous trees, such as the Western Red Cedar and The Douglas Fir. These types of tree produce timber that is pale in colour and offer a natural looking finish. Hardwoods tend to be of darker shades and provide a richness that some prefer. In both instances stain can be applied to change the colour to one that suits your tastes, although softwood decking lends itself better to this kind of approach due to its paleness.
Considering cost
The hardwood timber that is used to make decking is usually shipped in from other continents and the trees used take a long time to grow. In comparison softwood timber is usually sourced from Europe and the trees are much faster growing. Obviously this means that hardwood is more expensive than softwood.
So the decision over which option best suits your needs really depends on your budget in conjunction to how and where the decking will be used. But don’t labour under the misapprehension that softwood decking is an inferior product; as if maintained properly it can deliver decades of quality performance.