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Iroko timber is one of the most durable timber species on the market, but that does not mean it is immune to damage. If your decking is looking worse for wear, the good news is that you can fix it. From scratches to loose boards, find out in this guide everything you need to know to keep your Iroko looking its best.

Scratches and Scuffs

It is not uncommon for Iroko timber decking to get a little scratched or scuffed, especially if you use it frequently. This is a pretty easy fix, making it one of the best ways in which you can refresh older decking boards. Simply sand the surface lightly, using a medium grit sandpaper (80-120). Always sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid creating cross-marks. For light surface scuffs, a quick once-over is often all it takes. For deeper scratches, you may need to sand a little more firmly until the mark blends in smoothly with the surrounding surface – an electric sander may help here.

If your Iroko is stained or oiled, you will need to reapply the same coating to ensure the sanded area matches the rest of your timber decking boards.

Loose Iroko Decking Boards

If the fixings of your Iroko decking have come loose, you can usually resecure it. Simply remove the original screw or nail, and use a galvanised or stainless steel replacement to fix the board in place.

If the board is warped or has worked free altogether, you may need to replace it. Fortunately, Iroko’s inherent durability means this does not happen often. If it does, individual boards can be lifted and swapped without disturbing the rest of the deck. Just make sure to measure and cut the replacement board carefully so that it sits flush, and secure it with stainless steel fixings for a long-lasting repair.

Afterwards, oil or stain the new or re-fixed board to match the surrounding decking.

Dealing With Rotten Boards

With a durability class 1, Iroko is super resistant to rot. But, though unlikely, it can happen. If you notice signs of rot in your Iroko decking boards, remove the affected ones and replace them with fresh Iroko. This is much less hassle than replacing your entire decked area, and if you are unsure how to do it yourself, you can call in a professional for a simple, quick fix.

It is really important to check why your Iroko boards have become rotten. As this is not normal, there is usually a pretty clear cause, such as water pooling beneath or above the decking.

Weathered Iroko Decking Board

Iroko naturally weathers under UV rays, fading to a beautiful, rustic grey. This does not mean your timber decking is damaged, but some people do not love the natural look of aged Iroko. In this case, we recommend applying a UV-resistant coating after installation to prevent your boards from fading. For faded decking boards, simply stain or oil the timber in a colour of your choice for a quick, easy refresh.

Ask for Professional Advice

If we have not covered your problem, no need to worry! We will be happy to help further. Reach out to our team with your Iroko decking issue, and we will help you fix your problem, or order you some new Iroko boards for a timber decking upgrade.

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Unsure which timer is best for your project?

Our timber experts have years of experience and will be able to match the perfect species to your project, as well as provide a quote for sustainable timber at highly competitive prices.

Frequently asked questions

Do you supply timber for domestic uses?

Yes, we supply timber for domestic applications as well as commercial and public constructions. From garden decking to shed cladding, we will be happy to supply smaller deliveries for home use.

Is your timber FSC-certified?

Yes, all timber we supply is FSC or PEFC certified and sourced from independently verified responsibly managed forests. If we can’t find your request in FSC/PEFC certified timber we’ll suggest an alternative that is certified or clearly note that the offer is minimum EUTR.

Where does EcoChoice deliver to?

EcoChoice delivers to construction sites, warehouses and homes across the UK, as long as there’s access and unloading for our trucks.

What are the best timber species for exterior use?

There are many different timber species suitable for exterior use and which is the best for your project depends on your requirements. In general, though, we recommend EkkiGreenheartOpepe and Oak for heavier civil/marine uses. For intermediary external use such as decking, where the timber needs to be both strong and durable but not on the same level as civil engineering (bridgespiling, etc) we usually supply CumaruIpe, Jatoba, and Balau. And for the lighter exterior use where the timber is non-structural such as cladding, we deliver CedarLarchThermowood and others.

Which timber is the most durable?

Durability Class 1 timbers are the most durable. This of course depends on the use (hazard) class they’ll be in service for. For direct ground and water contact such as sleepers, fenders, marine piling, etc, Ekki and Greenheart are known to be the most durable timbers available. For decking and cladding where there’s no direct ground contact (use class 3) there’s a much wider range of timbers such Larch, Cedar, Thermo modified Pine or Ash and others.

What’s the best timber for internal cladding?

Internal cladding, where your timber is not in ground and not exposed to the elements can be classed as either use-class 1 or 2 – in which case most timbers will meet this durability criteria. That is not to say they’ll be the best, since internal environments have lower humidity (moisture) levels than outside. So in these cases, it’s best to go for a kiln-dried timber cladding board as these are more stable and delivered already in lower MC (moisture content) than the usual fresh sawn timbers sent to external applications. A word of caution – as timber reacts to variations in moisture, it’s best to avoid cladding any areas inside your bathroom.

How can I make decking less slippery?

The first thing is to ensure your deck boards are kept clean from leaves and other debris which will, over time, cover the surface and make it more slippery. Grooved boards can be used to improve grip if installed and used perpendicular to traffic, so especially useful in narrow passages and footbridges. Lastly, you can add our Grip-Choice strips: these are a mix of epoxy with aggregates that add gripping ridges to your deck area. Gripchoice is an easy way to make decking less slippery and safer, especially over large areas or where there’s high traffic. We can pre-install Grip-Choice strips for your decking before delivery or ship the strips separately to add to your existing deck’s grooves as a retro-fit solution.

What wood machining services do you offer?

We can offer planing, sawing, drilling and profiling of rough-sawn wood to any profile you require: from handrails to large port fenders.

Can you supply pre-drilled timber?

Yes, we will be happy to provide pre-drilled timber which is tailored to your needs for quick installation, thus saving you valuable time on site.

What cladding profiles do you supply?

We provide a wide range of cladding profiles, including tongue and groove, featheredge and shiplap. You can check the standard profiles here – but we can also match or custom make profiles to suit your specific needs.

Does timber change colour?

Yes, timber is well-known for changing colour over time. Some species can darken quickly right after installation, and like most untreated wood will eventually weather to a beautiful silver-grey. Interior timber is less likely to change colour (depending on conditions), and timber can be stained, painted or treated with UV-resistant oils to reduce colour change.

Do I need to treat exterior timber?

Some timbers such as Oak and Ekki, can withstand the strains of exterior use without any treatment. However, to extend the lifespan and maintain the aesthetic of your wood, we do recommend treating your timber with stains and oils. Pre-treated timber, such as ThermoWood and OrganoWood, are low-maintenance options which are more durable, but can have their life service extended by applying a clean and stain maintenance schedule.

Do I need to treat interior timber?

Depends on what area the timber is being used. For floor joists and timber rafters, it is common to see timber treated, or least very well kiln-dried. Other uses such as flooring may benefit from varnishing while internal timber cladding for decorative purposes shouldn’t require any treatment other than if you want to change its colour with different types of stains or oils.

Where are you based?

We’re based in Cambridge, UK, and coordinate multiple sawmills all over the world to manufacture your order. We then organise delivery with a range of hauliers so that your orders gets to your site on time.

What are the usual decking sizes?

Timber decking is usually 21x140mm or similar. For heavier applications where there’s more load and traffic, we deliver 35 or 45mm thick boards (such as Hastings Pier). Narrower boards are also possible: 95-90mm is a standard width – but we can manufacture whatever size you require.

What are the usual cladding sizes?

Typical cladding section sizes are 18×95 and 18x145mm although we can always custom make a section to suit your project’s design requirements. That includes waney edge boards in Oak or Chestnut as well as extra wide 195mm boards.

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Good quality, great service, fast delivery!

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Marinella Li

Always helpful! One of our valued TDCA DeckMark and CladMark accredited supplier members which means their quality procedures are routinely audited and stand up to scrutiny giving you extra peace of mind.

5

Janet Sycamore

Having needed the supply of cladding, decking boards and other specified timbers through out the year Eco choice have been very helpful in sourcing the specified timbers and quantities required at a very competitive price.

5

Tim Saunders

Great quality, service and price. A pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend Eco Choice.

5

Emma Hurrell

Fantastic company- Mike and the team are the best in the business- worked with them for many years.

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Always reliable and quality products, easy to deal with company.

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Good quality, great service, fast delivery!

Marinella Li

  • 6 years ago

Great quality, service and price. A pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend Eco Choice.

Emma Hurrell

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