18 Jul Pine Decking vs. Hardwood Decking
When choosing what timber you want to use for your decks (assuming you want to build with timber), there are a number of things to consider. You have the option of hardwoods like Garapa, Vitex or Kwila, or a local timber like pine. The best kind of wood you can use to build a new deck is hardwood decking. It delivers strength and longevity and is far less likely to deform or migrate due to environmental factors. Depending on the type chosen and the proper maintenance practiced, hardwood decking has been known to endure over 40 years. Softwood treated pine can last for 10 to 15 years. It is more affordable than a hardwood timber, making it ideal if you have a limited budget. Due of its endurance, hardwood gets more affordable with time.
Pine
Another well-liked material for decks is softwood, such as treated pine.
Pros:
- Cost-effective.
- Due to the closely packed wood fibers, this item is incredibly durable.
- Due to the material’s light colour, it can be dyed in a variety of colours.
- Various designs are available, including smooth, gripped, and grooved.
- Eco-friendly because it is raised in plantations.
Cons:
The drawbacks to pine are based around its aging:
- Need annual treatment and staining as well as upkeep.
- Not as spectacular right away as premium hardwood options.
- Due to neglect, can swiftly degrade and become grey.
Hardwood
The most popular material for decking is undoubtedly hardwood. Jarrah, Garapa, Merbau, Spotted Gum, and Cumaru are examples of hardwoods.
Pros:
- Hardwood’s unquestionable beauty quickly makes decking appealing. The warmest and most colourful woods, with a wide range of organic tones, are hardwoods.
- A high-end item that feels luxurious, looks fantastic, and functions just like an inside item while used outside.
- Natural resistance to splitting and other problems makes it incredibly durable.
- Flexible, making it possible to tailor it to various demands.
- The potential for invisible fasteners, eliminating the need for screws and nails.
Cons:
Drawbacks of Hardwood decks are:
- Hardwoods ‘bleed’ a lot before they settle down, meaning that unless you seal it immediately much of the beautiful colour leaches away quite quickly and can stain surrounding areas
- Hardwood trees grow much slower than pine trees, so it is arguably less sustainable
- The supply chain has a chance of corruption where unsustainably harvested timber could be present
- The expense of high-quality hardwoods and the installation of a deck can be too expensive.
- Needs regular oiling and staining as part of its maintenance.
At the end of the day there are a number of pros and cons to both hardwood and pine decking to consider. Come and have a talk with us to discuss the best option for you.
It is important to choose the correct materials that are specific to your DIY projects. At Online Building, we offer the solutions to meet all of your DIY construction needs. While we do stock everything you’ll need to make your project a success, it’s crucial to keep in mind that we do not cut or fit to your requirements. Contact us today, to get your dream DIY project started!