Want to give your home a stylish makeover? Go for hardwood decking. This will not only create a style statement, but also they are so durable that you don’t need to spend a huge amount of money on its maintenance. Different types of hardwood have different colour and character. Decking is also great, if you are planning to spend more time outdoors. This way, you can avoid the expense of building an extension to your home. There is no doubt that installing a hardwood decking is costly, but once you install it, the maintenance cost is very low compared to softwoods. Softwoods require resealing and re-sanding on a regular basis.
Some indigenous hardwoods that are most commonly used include jarrah, redwood, cedar, redgum, ironbark, northern mahogany and blackwood. Among the local hardwoods, ironbark and tallowwood are some of the most durable ones. They require very less maintenance, in order to remain durable in a fully exposed location. (Information credit: Country Woods)
Advantages
Hardwood decking provides you with a number of benefits. Some of them are described below:
- Durable
The durability of hardwood is one of the major benefits of hardwood decking. Once installed, it will last a lifetime. You don’t need to replace it.
- Less maintenance
Hardwoods require less maintenance, which means, you don’t have to spend a fortune to maintain a hardwood decking.
- Less prone to scratches
Hardwood decking is less likely to scratch or mark. This is definitely another benefit. If you have children in your home, install hardwood decking and save yourself the extra expenses.
- Maintenance
After using the hardwood decking for many years, if you see that there are some scratches here and there, know that it can be sanded down and resealed. You don’t have to replace the whole deck.
- Increases value
This is yet another advantage of having a hardwood decking. Woods have that charm in them, which gives them a sophisticated look. They help in providing a warm and cosy environment. Your guests will also be impressed.
- Usable outdoor space
The amount of usable outdoor space is increased with hardwood decking. It makes the most out of otherwise unused spaces.
Timber buying tips
If you are buying hardwood timber for your decking, it is suggested that you choose native hardwood timbers. This will not only ensure that the timber is sourced from a sustainable and modern industry, but also the carbon footprint is lessened. Here are some tips to help you buying the right timber for your decking:
- Try to buy local timber whenever possible
- Always make sure that the timber you are buying is from an accredited source
- Try to recycle any unused or old timber from your decking project
Deck maintenance
In spite of being extremely durable, hardwood decking will still need some attention in terms of periodic maintenance. Cracking, fading and splintering are some of the first signs of deterioration. The main reason behind this is excessive exposure to sun, insect damage, moisture etc. So maintenance of hardwood decking is important.
