Timber Decking
Is softwood soft and hardwood hard?
No. These are simply the terms that define the type of tree and have nothing to do with the physical hardness of timber. Both hardwoods and treated softwoods offer a high level of durability so your choice of deck comes down to how you want it to look and how much you want to spend as softwoods and hardwoods vary in price.
Hardwood and softwood timbers offer different aesthetic characteristics in look, feel and colour. Please see the brochures below for more information.
Hardwoods are naturally more durable as they are slow-growing and this benefit is reflected in the cost of hardwood timbers.
The durability of softwood is enhanced by commercial treatments, making them a less expensive but equally ideal choice for decking. Treated softwoods, if maintained, can last up to forty years.
At all times we endeavour to use well managed sources for our timber & when possible will offer FSC certified timber.
Think Creatively when building your Decking
Decks can function as a perfect outdoor room with a view and are a perfect summer retreat.
Building your own timber deck can be a fulfilling spring/summer home DIY project. You will get fresh air and sunshine while you will build the perfect extension to your home and garden.
A quality timber deck adds value and beauty to your home as well as giving the perfect place to relax on those hot summer days.
Give strong consideration to the variety materials available to you. Popular decking is made of treated Scandinavian Redwood. For a higher quality, more durable deck there is a wide variety of hardwoods available such as Ipe, Massaranduba, Balau & Garapa.Although budget is the main factor in anyone’s choice for building a deck, putting hard work into a deck built with cheap wood will decrease its durability and longevity. REMEMBER – YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! So choose carefully and you will have a deck to last you a lifetime.
Ipe Hardwood Decking – (Pronounced ee-pay)
Available in:
19mm x 90mm Reeded
21mm x 145mm Reversible
21mm x 145mm Smooth
28mm x 145mm Reversible
Countries of Origin - The tree is found in the Lesser Antillies, Central America and down to Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Guyana and Surinam.
Grade - Sapwood is allowed, but does not affect durability.
Selling Points
The timber is extremely hard, tough and strong, comparing favourably on strength with Greenheart. It is classed as very durable. Its strength, toughness, resilience and high resistance to insects and decay make it ideal for bridge building, naval construction and dock work.
Due to Ipe’s immense strength and density, in most circumstances it is unnecessary for boards to exceed 21mm thickness for any load bearing purposes. This, combined with it’s attractive appearance make it ideal for high-class commercial projects where heavy wear is expected, projects near water, or high profile projects where the very best has been specified. In addition, it gives a very good, smooth finish.
Uses
Naval Construction, bridges, sleepers, structural framework, interior and exterior joinery, coachwork, decking & garden furniture.
Characteristics
It is consistently dark-brown in colour, but with occasional yellow tints and yellowish-brown sap. Its grain bears resemblance to Teak and indeed is often known as Brazilian Teak, Brazilian Iroko or Ironwood.
Yellow Balau (Available FSC)
Available in:
19mm x 90mm Reeded
21mm x 145mm Grooved & Reeded/Smooth both sides
28mm x 145mm Grooved & Reeded/Smooth both sides
Also available in the following components:
34mm x 78mm Handrail
32mm x 78mm Baserail
41mm x 41mm x 0.9m Reeded spindles
86mm x 86mm x 1.5m reeded newel posts
90mm x 90mm smooth face, Rounded 4 corners Newel posts
Strength Details
Classified as very durable. It is hard, heavy and strong timber with strength properties similar to those of Greenheart.
Treatability
Balau is very hard to treat. Treatment is not necessary, as the timber’s durability will preserve it from the elements for a period of over 10 years without artificial treatment. However, as Balau contains a natural source of Tannin, it is recommended that the timber be treated to prevent ‘leeching’ once installed and exposed to the elements.
Characteristics
Grain is interlocked. Texture is fine and even. Colour varies between yellowish-brown, brown and pale reddish-brown.
Pinhole Borer
Whilst quality teams can improve on the actual grade bought, they are unable to eliminate pinholes, which are present within the species. This is caused by the Ambrosia Beetle, which attacks standing or freshly felled timber in the country of origin. Pinhole is acceptable within the grading rules. They shall not be regarded as a defect, and will be admitted in the timber without defined numerical limit provided that they are neither so numerous nor so grouped as to materially affect the strength of the piece. Air-Drying to below 28% moisture content should halt any insect activity within the timber.
Usage
Suitable for all forms of heavy construction. Used for bridges, beams, framework of boats, dock blocks, wagons and heavy duty flooring.
Massaranduba (Available FSC)
Available in:
19mm x 90mm Reeded
21mm x 145mm Grooved/Reeded, Grooved/smooth & Smooth 2-sides
28mm x 145mm Grooved/smooth
Countries of origin - Native to the West Indies; Central America and
Northern South America.
Characteristics
The heartwood is light red to rose red when freshly cut, turning dark reddish brown on exposure; sapwood is whitish or pale brown, distinct, but not sharply demarcated from the heartwood. The grain is usually straight but sometimes interlocked, and the texture is fine and uniform. It is hard and extremely heavy.
Strength
Similar or superior to Greenheart in bending strength, shock resistance, hardness, shear, and in across-the-grain properties of compression and tension. Slightly weaker than Greenheart in compression parallel to the grain (crushing).
Durability - Durable to very durable
Working qualities
Moderately easy to work despite its high density. It machines and finishes to a very smooth surface. Takes a fine polish, and has the appearance of Walnut. As decking, will accept proprietary treatments such as Seasonite, Textrol or Spa-‘n’-deck.
Usage
Boat frames, billiard cues, heavy construction, bridges, flooring in industrial plants, stair treads.
Cumaru Hardwood Decking (Available FSC)
Available in:
19mm x 90mm Reeded/Smooth
21mm x 145mm Reversible
21mm x 145mm Smooth
28mm x 145mm Reversible
28mm x 145mm Smooth
Country of Origin - Native to South America. Mainly found in Brazil
Characteristics
The wood has a pronounced grain that accepts stains well. The heartwood is yellowish brown to red brown often with darker (Red) veins and is clearly demarcated from the sapwood. It has a greasy touch and a mild vanilla - like smell. The grain is often interlocked and the texture is medium coarse.
Strength
Classed as very durable. Cumaru has a Janka hardness is 3540 making it the strongest of the tropical hardwoods. Superior to Greenheart & Massaranduba in bending strength and durability.
Working Qualities
Wood is hard and very durable so Carbon-tipped blades & bits are needed. It machines & finishes to a very smooth surface.
Garapa Hardwood Decking
Available in:
21mm x 145mm Grooved/Reeded
28mm x 145mm Grooved/Reeded
Characteristics
Garapa is a dense hardwood that naturally resists rot, decay, termites, scratches, splinters and even fire. It has a light yellow to golden brown hue. As the wood naturally weathers, it takes on a light silvery grey tone unless a sealer is used to keep its natural colour.
Durability
Garapa has a good durability with a high resistance to daily wear & tear. Janka hardness is 1631, 26% harder than Red Oak. Class A fire rating.
Working Qualities
The wood glues easily and stays in place. It saws, nails and screws well with only a slight blunting effect on tools.
PurpleHeart Hardwood Decking (Limited Stock)
Available in:
19mm x 90mm Reeded/Smooth
21mm x 145mm Grooved/Reeded
28mm x 145mm Grooved/Reeded
Country of Origin - Central America and tropical South America.
Uses
Although expensive, it is used for heavy outdoor construction work, bridge building, fresh water piling, dock work, cladding, house construction and vats. Excellent for flooring, and suitable for gymnasium equipment, shafts, tool handles, boat building, turnery, furniture and billiard tables. Also as decorative veneers for inlaying and marquetry work, etc. Best colour from sawcut, as steaming affects the soluable phonicoin content.
General Description
The heartwood is a deep purple-violet when freshly cut, maturing to a dark brown; the original colour is restored when re-cut. Straight grained, but often irregular, wavy, and sometimes interlocked, producing a pleasing striped figure on quartered surfaces. Texture moderate to fine. Weight varies from 800-1,000 kg/m3 (50-63 lb/ft3) averaging 860 kg/m3 (54 lb/ft3); specific gravity .86. Mechanical Properties: High strength in bending, stiffness and crushing categories and medium resistance to shock loads, with a moderate steam bending classification.Seasoning
Dries fairly rapidly with little degrade, but care is needed to dry out the centre of thick pieces. Air drying is slow, with some end and surface checking or case hardening. There is small movement in service.
Durability
Very durable. Sapwood liable to attack by powder post beetle. Extremely resistant to preservative treatment but the sapwood is permeable.
Opepe Hardwood Decking
Available in:
19mm x 90mm Reeded/Smooth
21mm x 145mm Grooved/Reeded
28mm x 145mm Grooved/Reeded
Country of Origin - West Africa .
Uses
Piling and decking in wharves and docks, jetty and marine work, boat building (except for bent parts), general construction work, exterior and interior joinery, domestic flooring, wagon bottoms, furniture, cabinet work and decorative turnery. Selected logs are sliced for very attractive veneers for paneling and decorative veneering.
General Description
The heartwood is an orange-brown colour with a copper coloured luster. The grain is mostly interlocked producing a striped or roll figure when quartered, sometimes with irregular grain. The texture is fairly coarse due to large pores. A reasonable proportion of straight grained material is obtained by grading. Weighs 740 kg/m3 (46 lb/ft3); specific gravity .74. Mechanical Properties: An exceptionally strong timber with medium bending strength and stiffness; it has high crushing strength and low resistance to shock loads and a poor steam bending classification.
Seasoning
Quartered material dries fairly rapidly with very little checking or distortion; flat sawn timber is more refractory and checking and splitting and distortion may occur. In large sizes it dries very slowly. There is small movement in service.
Durability
The sapwood is liable to attack by powder post beetle. Moderately resistant to termites in West Africa. The heartwood is very durable, moderately resistant to preservative treatment but the sapwood is permeable. Opepe has a high resistance to marine borers.
Greenheart Hardwood Decking
Available in:
Machined from sawn stock - Bespoke profiles available.
Country of Origin - Principally Guyana; also Surinam and Venezuela.
Uses
Suitable for all marine construction work including ship construction. Also for bridges, heavy duty flooring, chemical vats, billiard cue butts, turnery, fishing rods, longbows etc.
General Description
This evergreen tree varies considerably in colour, from yellow-green, golden yellow, light olive, dark olive, yellow-brown, dark brown to black. Decayed or defective logs have a yellow colour. The grain is straight to interlocked or roey. The texture fine and even, lustrous and cold to the touch. Weight 1030 kg/m3 (64 lb/ft3); specific gravity 1.03.
Mechanical Properties
Exceptionally heavy density, and very high bending and crushing strengths; very high stiffness and high resistance to shock loads. It has a moderate steam bending classification although requiring extra efficient support on the outer face.
Seasoning
Dries very slowly with considerable degrade with checking and end splitting. Boards over 1” (25mm) thickness should be partly air dried before kilning. Existing shakes liable to extend and splitting of knots may occur. Medium movement in service.
Durability
Very durable. Excellent resistance to marine borers. Sapwood liable to attack by pinhole borers, but the heartwood is immune. Extremely resistant to preservative treatment.
Ekki Hardwood Decking
Available in:
Machined from sawn stock - Bespoke profiles available.
Distribution - Tropical West Africa.
Uses
Suitable for heavy construction, all marine work, wharves, bridge building and decking, railway sleepers, very heavy duty flooring. Also for rollers, wagon work and superior joinery. Its acid resistance makes it ideal for filter press plates and frames. A wider range of uses is limited by the difficulty of machining.
General Description
Dark red to deep chocolate-brown with conspicuous white deposits in the pores giving a speckled appearance. Grain is usually interlocked, and the texture coarse and uneven. Weight 950-1120 kg/m3 (59-70 lb/ft3), averaging 1025 kg/m3 (64 lb/ft3); specific gravity 1.02.
Mechanical Properties
This exceptionally heavy density wood, has very high bending and crushing strength, and high stiffness and resistance to shock loads. It is probably too tough for steam bending.
Seasoning
It is extremely refractory and dries very slowly with severe splitting and possible distortion, notably surface checking and end splitting. Should be piled very carefully. Large movement in service.
Durability
Ekki is very durable and very resistant to decay; it is one of Africa’s most durable woods. Moderately resistant to attack by termites in Africa and extremely resistant to preservative treatment.
Timber Decking Brochures
Please download the attached brochures for further information.
Laying Guidelines for Decking
Decking Profile
Clip System Decking