Decking Blog

Published: 18/09/17 By: Mike Bekin

From the plethora of decking materials available, the most innate amongst them is wood. Wood blends well with any surrounding environment and will weather in an attractive way, making it a favourite with both developers and clients.

Pressure Treated Wood

For budget-constrained projects in need of large quantities of timber decking with average service lives, pressure treated softwood deck boards are an appealing option.

Standard pressure-treated softwood decking has a layer of preservative chemicals that is impregnated into the timber through the use of a high-pressure system. Absorption is often shallow and may even lead to leaching of chemicals after installation. Some of the previous chemical treatments are now labelled as hazardous, making the wood unsafe to burn or recycle. There are no guarantees that the current mixtures will not suffer a similar fate in years to come.

Any site alteration, such as trimming the ends, requires further treatment. A chemical envelope treatment is a cost-effective option when correctly applied. However, if even the slightest spot is left unprotected then the durability of the wood can be compromised. As it weathers, there is also a chance of splits developing on the surface of the wood, which can further deteriorate the treatment’s effectiveness and therefore the service life of the deck.

pre-drilled decking, pressure treated to HC4, with anti-slip strips in Exeter

Composite Wood

Wood and plastic composite (WPC) decks are manmade materials that offer low maintenance, anti-slip surface and durable shape.

This is a new technology where both the types of wood and plastic, as well as their optimal mixture, are still being tested. The vast majority of this material is currently produced in China. Industry regulations are uncertain and the environmental impacts are currently expected to outlast the lifespan of the product.

Modified Timber

Timber can be modified in many ways to achieve greater durability and stability. Heat or thermo modification is a meticulously controlled kilning process where wood is heated to a temperature high enough to permanently alter its cellular makeup. This chemical-free process drains the wood of all moisture making the deck boards incredibly stable.

Even after the wood is cut or punctured, there is no need to treat the area to deter rotting because every single cell has been modified in this environmentally friendly process.

These thermo treated woods acquire a darker, yet natural look, are 100% recyclable and safe to burn. Readily available species from Ecochoice include Pine, Spruce and even Ash and Frake, which are knot-free hardwoods.

Another innovation in 2017 is OrganoWood, a silica impregnated Pine decking which is taking the school specification world by storm. It takes inspiration from the fossilisation process and delivers 10 years guarantee without the use of any chemical biocides or heavy metals. It is the eco evolution on preserving timber decking: cost effective, beautiful and environmentally conscious.
Ecochoice assisted in the specification and delivery of FSC Spruce heat modified decking to the 2012 London Olympic village

Tropical Species

Tropical hardwood decks are famed for their natural beauty and durability.

Ecochoice provides a variety of FSC certified hardwoods for your exterior projects such as decking, cladding and sleepers. This ensures the forests where these exotic timbers originate can remain productive for generations to come.

Their range of certified durable timbers includes species suitable for domestic and balcony decks such as Pituca and Garapa, all the way to Opepe and Ekki for piers and footbridges. “And everything in between” says Joe Middleton, head of merchant services. “Clients come to us because we can help guide them through the multiple choices available. In the end, they get a certified sustainable decking, that fits their client’s demands for durability, looks and price, delivered to site on time.”

Decking in FSC Opepe and PEFC heat-modified Ash working side by side at a commercial development in London.

Benefits of Going Green

Going green is not just a passing trend. Many government contracts will only be awarded to projects where sustainable design and materials have been incorporated. Private commercial and residential developments are also following suit in anticipation of their own cost-savings, including government incentives.

The materials you choose for your bids can determine the future of your business as much as our planet. Timber, due to its carbon-sinking nature, insulation properties and low-embedded energy, is a natural champion for any project seeking a low carbon footprint.

By insisting on FSC-certified timber you are contributing to a business best practice which, it is anticipated, will soon bcome standard construction protocol. It can also offer you an advantage in terms of client and employee retention while adding tangible value to your company’s mission statement when that statement encompasses sustainability goals.

FSC Ekki supplied by Ecochoice for Hastings Pier renovation.

Cost-benefit Analysis

Sustainable timber doesn’t have to cost more. There are many FSC and PEFC species available at no or very little premium, according to Ecochoice, who promote a variety of certified timbers. Adopting them can only improve your company’s image and lower its operational risk.

Karen Ellis, of WWF-UK, reminds us: “Improving forest management, along with society’s growing expectations of the need for business to operate in a way that is sustainable and in the long term interests of society, mean that both regulatory risks and reputational risks are growing in relation to unsustainable timber.”

Your Source for FSC Certified Timber

“At Ecochoice we are committed to providing quality products that will meet your pricing and performance requirements in an environmentally respectful manner.” says Mike Bekin, Ecochoice’s MD.

Ecochoice offers impartial advice that meets your client’s demands as well as offer you the widest range of species, price points and turnaround times.

Add-on Services

Your decking can be delivered with a wide range of extras including anti-slip strips. Deck boards can also be pre-stained or fire-treated to Euro class B requirements.

For a free quote that matches your specs email info@ecochoice.co.uk. Let Ecochoice help you make a selection that is right for your clients now, and in the future.

Categories: Insights

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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 Ekki, Greenheart, Opepe 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 (bridges, piling, etc) we usually supply Cumaru, Ipe, Jatoba, and Balau. And for the lighter exterior use where the timber is non-structural such as cladding, we deliver Cedar, Larch, Thermowood 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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