Decking in general means outdoor flooring to add more space and character to a house. Outdoor living is becoming a popular trend and lifestyle in the housing market and every house owner is beginning to add this feature to their homes in the form of patios to functional entertaining areas complete with barbecue, dining and kitchen units. The housing market taking advantage of this trend has come up with a variety of decking boards to satisfy the demands of customers. Consumers are very picky when it comes to the type of board they buy for their outdoor decking area. What might suit the needs of some customers might not do the same for some others. Hence, there are various types of decking boards available in the market today with their own pros and cons.
Ipe – This is the most popular and most sought after decking boards material due to its durability, colour and safety aspects. The material is a combination of grain and natural oil, which gives out a better performance and appearance than any other soft wood or synthetic material. The Ipe has a slip, scratch and splinter resistant surface and retains its original form for more than 75 years without treatment, painting or staining.
Tigerwood – It is a mixture between golden reddish brown colour and brown and black streaks, which matures into a lighter colour over time. This decking board can last up to 30 years without any treatment except for its colour, which has to be maintained by applying UV oil once in a while. Tigerwood is chemical free and resistant to mould and decay.
Cumaru- Due to its high density, pre drilling is required. The Cumaru boards can last more than 50 years and are resistant to scratches and splinters with a non-slip surface. It is easy to install and has a reddish brown colour, which adds a vibrant tone to a deck.
Garapa – Ideal for those who prefer light coloured decks. Its light golden colour captures more brightness onto a deck and is an inexpensive option for those on a tight budget. It is termite, mould and decay resistant.
Massaranduba – It has a rich red colour with a smooth surface on one side and a non-slip surface on the other. It has similar properties as the Cumaru.
PVC – It is made of plastic and despite its resistant properties to decay and warping it is very fragile. It contains toxic gases and retains heat when exposed to the sun making it very unpractical.
Composite – It is made from recycled plastic and wood fibres and looks like natural wood. Even though it is maintenance free, it may contain harmful chemicals depending on where it is sourced.
Pressure treated – This type of decking is used for both residential and commercial purposes. It is cheap and affordable with resistance to different weather conditions and termites. However, it has structural defects and doesn’t last very long.
Making additions such as decking to your home not only makes it more appealing but also they increase its value in case you may want to sell it in future.