Hardwood Decks
During the spring, homeowners begin to plan home improvement projects for the warmer weather ahead. A popular project to add beauty and value to your property is the outdoor deck. Decks can be made in any size and to fit any landscape.
They provide beauty and functionality for years to come. A hardwood deck is an asset to any home or business property. Once the decision is made to have one installed, the main question then becomes one of what materials should be used. Outdoor decks are primarily made from either wood or composite materials.
Both have their advantages. If you are thinking that composite materials would be the better material to use between the two, keep in mind that all decks have wooden frames. Reinforced, treated wood is used for the main structural framing whether you choose hardwood surfacing or composite.
So, the real question here is what type of material do you want to use as the topical surface material for your deck and its railings?
When making your choice, do not underestimate the significance or strength of hardwood decking. The benefits for hardwood decking are enormous. Most of the decks today are built from wood. Wood is a natural substance.
It fits perfectly into the ecosystem outside your door. Because it is a natural material, no two pieces of wood are the same making for impressive and stunning deck patterns and colours. Their beauty is timeless.
Give Your Home the Elegance it Deserves!
Decks have been made from wood for centuries. Today, professionally installed
wooden decks are made from wood that was treated to withstand inclement weather and several types of pest issues.
Hardwood decking is also the popular choice regarding set up costs as they are more reasonably priced over composite. Hardwood decks can also be stained nearly any colour.
The main disadvantage to wood decking is that it is susceptible to rot, warping and splintering. To avoid these unpleasant hazards, it is a great idea to do your homework on the woods that you choose. Also, consider the area that you want your deck to be placed. Does it get the bulk of your sunshine? Is it in a shady place? Is there considerable humidity? These are good questions that you should have answers to before you begin. When trying to choose which wood would work best for your deck, consider both hardwoods and softwoods.
Common Hardwoods
Hardwoods that are used for flooring and decking come from trees that have naturally broad leaves. These types of trees are great for decking because they are naturally durable and quite dense. Hardwood decking can last up to 25 years if they are well maintained. In Africa, we have common hardwoods that we use to not only ensure a strong and sturdy deck but also one that will blend in beautifully with our outdoor nature.
Rhodesian Teak
This hardwood has a wonderful texture. It is a heavy and durable wood with a massive resistance to decay and abrasion. This wood is offered in varying shades of golden brown to reddish brown.
Balau
This wonderful wood is rated stronger than teak. It offers a rich, golden to medium brown colour. It also possesses rich tropical oils.
Cumaru
This is a sturdy wood with an interlocked grain. This wood offers gorgeous shades of medium to dark brown with purple or greenish undertones.
Ipe
This tropical hardwood is simply gorgeous. It is durable and excellent for decking. It holds a strong resistance to water, fire, and insects. Its colours range in a medium to dark brown shades.
Saligra
This hardwood is popular for decking and is harvested from South African Commercial plantations. Its natural colours provide tan to medium brown shades.
Red Iron Bark
This immaculate Australian hardwood is ideal for the African climate and is a very stable natural substance. It contains a beautiful reddish-brown colour.
Garapa
This hardwood has a lovely golden and light brown in colour. It is perfect for decking and provides a natural resistance to insects, decay, and rot.
Other excellent hardwoods for decking purposes are Chanfuta, Ekki, Iroko, Jarrah, Macaranduba, Meranti, Purple Heart, Zambian Teak, and Zimbabwe Teak.
Common Softwoods
Softwoods are used for decking as well. They come from coniferous trees and are less dense therefore, need to be pre-treated with approved wood preservatives. After treatment, they can last upto 25 years as well and do tend to be less expensive than their hardwood counterparts. Modified woods are also wonderful for decking.
They are made from all natural SA Pine that has been modified to make the wood more thermal. It has been heat-treated and has a hot wax compound added for extra protection. This ensures that the wood is denser and offers a stronger alternative to other treated softwood varieties. Modified wood also can also bear more weight. It requires less maintenance. It also has a harder surface that resists a higher percentage of fungal decay. It also holds a higher defense against water and insect damage.
When thinking to install a hardwood deck, is it important to obtain professional help and guidance. An expertly trained deck installer is a must to get your decking boards even, as treated as they need to be and to install your deck with the polished look and feel that you are expecting.
A professional deck installer will be able to help you make the right decisions in wood decking materials and will also help you to customize your deck in size, shape and design.
We provide decking for all of your needs:
Wood decking is stunning, no matter how you look at it. The natural shades and patterns in the hardwoods provide a finished product unlike any other you can get. It is nature at its most beautiful. All sides of the wood decking are treated for harsh weather conditions. They can also be stained at any hue to match your décor.
Timber decking can be either left like rough sawn timber that looks rustic and tough (which is perfect for that outdoorsy-all natural look) or finished into defined and elegant pieces ready to grace your décor inside or out. Woodcuts can be made to the customer’s exact specifications.
Wooden decking is the best material to use in outdoor decks especially in areas that experience extreme heat. Composite decking gets too hot to walk on in the heat of summer. Hardwood decks weather that heat much better. For an added benefit, have your deck made from a lighter shade wood to help cut the heat even more.