Decking materials: comparing hardwoods, softwoods, and modified timber for commercial builds

Choosing the right decking material is always crucial. Whether you are building a public footpath, renovating an outdoor hospitality space or taking on a DIY project for your business, your decking needs to withstand a lot of heavy use and the Great British Weather (so, rain!), and its lifespan largely comes down to the species you choose. But with so many options available, how do you know which is right for your project?

In this guide, we will take a look at the three categories of timber available: hardwoods, softwoods and modified timber. Learn more here about their suitability for decking, and find the timber you need.

Hardwood Decking

Kicking off with hardwood decking: this is (often) the premium choice for your construction. Hardwoods tend to bring exceptional strength and durability, with some species – e.g. Ekki and Opepe – being suitable for applications which are constantly submerged in water. While unlikely for your decking, it is good to know you are picking a species which is not going to rot in the rain.

One of the key advantages of most hardwoods is their longevity. They typically require less maintenance over time compared to softwoods, which is great news for busy commercial spaces where constantly staining and oiling your decking is not ideal.

Our favourite hardwood timbers for decking include Balau, Jatoba, Ipe and Cumaru.

Softwood Decking

Softwood timbers can be deceptively tough, despite their name. For large-scale projects or those where budgets are tight, you will be happy to know that these timbers often come with a lower price tag. This is not because they are less suitable than hardwoods, but simply because softwood trees tend to grow more quickly and are more abundant, driving their price down for cost-effective decking.

If you are choosing softwoods for your decking, make sure you look for a species with excellent durability. Cedar and Larch are two of our absolute favourites at EcoChoice, and with regular maintenance, they can last just as long as many of our hardwoods.

Modified Timber Decking

Your third option is to go for modified timber decking. This takes a less durable timber, such as Pine or Ash, and treats it to enhance its resistance to rot, fungal attack and insect infestations. There are a few different treatment options when looking at modified timber, and the two main products we would recommend are:

• ThermoWood: This treats timber under intense heat and pressure, changing the cellular structure of the wood to greatly enhance its durability and dimensional stability. With no chemicals, it is a sustainable approach to upgrading less durable species and brings long-term performance to your decking project.
• Pressure-treated softwoods: Pressure-treated timber is impregnated with a preservative which strengthens its resistance to rot, fungus and insects. Rather than being applied as a surface treatment, this process ensures the preservative penetrates deep within the timber so that the wood is protected throughout.

Aside from exceptional durability, the biggest perk of modified timber is that it does not need to be re-treated. Once it has been thermo-modified or pressure-treated, your timber is permanently enhanced for decking which boasts excellent longevity without frequent maintenance.

Find Your Timber Decking at EcoChoice

At EcoChoice, we stock hardwood, softwood and modified timber decking. All our timber is from FSC® and PEFC-certified forests, and we will be happy to provide your commercial project with the necessary documentation to prove sustainable compliance. From sourcing to delivery, we make finding timber for commercial construction projects a whole lot easier.

Start an order by getting in touch with our team.