Hardwood decking

Hardwood decking is far more durable than its softwood counterpart. Coming from tropical forests, the durability and grain patterns are considered superior. Many of the timber varieties will be unheard of in England, having native names more fitting to the tropics.

Some of the varieties on offer are garapa, ipe, yellow balau, cumaru, iroko, sapele, ash, meranti, massaranduba and bangkirai.

Oak, ash, walnut and mahogany are amongst the more familiar names usually associated with furniture, but also used in the production of hardwood decking. Obviously this premium product carries a larger price tag, making it particularly important to source a top quality contractor.

Like softwood, hardwood can be used to add to decking installations, making a range of exterior joinery features to complement your hardwood decking. Such features would include steps, balustrades, pillars, pilasters and split levels.

Knowing the hardwood decking is a product appealing to the more discerning clients, ponds can be inset into raised areas, hosting fish such as carp. The carp's colour will particularly pick out the orangey gold colours of mahogany.

Hardwood decking will be more saturated in natural oils than softwood decking, but will still benefit from occasional maintenance. The tighter grains lend themselves to features that are at touch level. Hardwood decking lends itself to more elegant machine made features such as reeding and grooves.

Hardwood decking will typically have a 25 year guarantee. Firms tend to brand their decking, but it's the source of the timber that adds most to its durability.