Aberdeen Decking Blog

Choosing your decking materials

By Simon Elms 9 January 07

You can use softwood or hardwood for decking. The most popular choice in the UK is softwood that’s been pressure treated with a preservative to prevent rotting.

Standard components and decking boards are available from DIY stores and timber merchants, and should last about 25 years. Ready prepared decking kits are also available. Hardwood decking boards don’t require pressure treatment.

Always ensure the wood has been obtained from a sustainable resource – look for the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) label. See www.fsc-uk.info for more details.

Decking boards are usually 75mm to 150mm wide. The wider boards are quicker to lay (because there are less of them), but narrower boards are often considered to look nicer.

Grooved boards are available; these offer better grip particularly when it’s wet. It’s possible to choose coloured boards, too, although you can always paint the decking once it’s built. Whichever type you choose, it should have rounded edges to protect feet and improve drainage.

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