Hardwood, Softwood or PVC are your options
Installing decking is a great way to revitalise your garden, but what type should you go for – hardwood, softwood or PVC?
Garden decking is a great, versatile landscaping feature. It can be used to create an outdoor dining or seating space, a poolside or hot tub area or even a path or steps. There are a variety of decking materials and designs to choose from – read on to find out which decking material is right for you.
Advantages of wooden decking
Wood is the most popular decking material for many reasons, including the following:
- It’s a natural material, suited to the outdoors
- Wood is a sustainable resource, which makes it more eco-friendly than manmade decking
- No two pieces of natural wood look the same, each has a different pattern, hues or colour
- Wooden decking is cheaper than PVC or composite decking
The main disadvantage of wood as a decking material is that it is susceptible to rot, warping and cracking – especially if it’s exposed to the elements. To avoid this, you need to choose your timber wisely, which means considering both hard and soft wood decking.
Hardwood decking
Hardwood comes from broadleaved trees such as birch, elm, oak, teak, cherry or maple. These types of wood make good hardwood decking materials because they are naturally quite dense and durable; lasting at least 25 years. Hardwoods also come in a variety of attractive colours – but they are more expensive than softwoods.
Softwood decking
Softwoods such as cedar, pine and spruce come from coniferous trees and are less dense so will need to be pre-treated with a wood preservative in accordance with British Standards EN 335. Once treated, softwood decking will also last around 25 years and is generally cheaper than hardwood.
PVC decking
PVC decking has increased in popularity over recent years for the following reasons:
- It doesn’t rot or decay, which means it has a very long lifespan
- PVC requires very little maintenance
- It can be made to look like wood
- PVC is an extremely robust material
The downside to PVC decking is that it costs a great deal more than wood and because it’s a manmade material, it’s less eco-friendly. In addition, PVC has more of a uniform appearance than wood, which many people find less appealing.
Before choosing which type of decking to install, make sure you weigh up all the options and check that you don’t need planning permission first. This is unlikely to be the case, but it’s best to double check if you live in a listed building, near a boundary or in a conservation area. For best results and to ensure your decking looks great and lasts as long as possible, make sure you hire a professional to install your decking.
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