Aberdeen Decking Blog

Softwood or hardwood decking?

By Simon Elms 10 January 07

One of the question is get asked most is “Can you please advise me on the difference between pine decking and hardwood decking?”

Pine is a soft wood. It is the most popular type of decking in the UK, mainly because it is the cheapest. It is much paler than hardwood (and, some say, less attractive) but it can be stained in a variety of colours. Pine must be treated to be suitable for decking. From a construction point of view, treated pine is much lighter than hardwood so it’s easier to work with and puts less pressure on supporting structures. Pine is also more readily available than hardwood, and is sourced from pine plantations that are farmed in a sustainable manner.

Hardwood offers a richer and more textured aesthetic than treated pine, which is probably its main attraction. It’s also denser and stronger than pine, allowing a longer lifespan. Many builders will also tell you it’s more resilient to the weather. Hardwood comes from older growth trees, making it harder to source and more expensive to buy (than pine). There are also environmental concerns with hardwood, as it is not as renewable as pine. Hardwood species include Jarrah, Ironbark, Blackbutt and Karri.

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