The more expensive and luxurious hardwoods do offer the possibility to install with hidden fasteners.

At the same time, hardwood decks are so strong that if they shrink and swell, the screws come along with this process which renders edge grooves, for fastener installation, a no go with many hardwoods. Hardwood decks are often only planed (or ribbed) on the surface before they are ready to be installed, which means a screwed installation is necessary.

By maintaining a deck, not only will you ensure the deck is even more durable and the lifetime is extended, but it also ensures the natural appearance is enhanced. This means that ensuring a deck is oiled, sanded and maintained (as per the manufacturer's instructions) is necessary. Hardwood is a natural material and does need to be maintained in order to ensure that the warranty conditions are met and the lifespan is prolonged as much as possible. This means that when opting for a hardwood deck, ensuring that responsible harvesting has been conducted is a must, extra attention must be paid to ensure that no harmful conduct is being done and the forests have a future. These organisations try to ensure responsible harvesting of selected trees, ensure reforestation, create value in the forests for locals and avoid clear cutting of trees for other types of land use. For this reason, chain of custody certifications, like FSC ® or PFEC, are needed to ensure a sustainable use of tropical forests. The top 3 cons of hardwood decking Scarcity and increasing deforestation problemsĮspecially for tropical hardwood from regions in Southern America, Asia, and Africa, deforestation is a known problem. Additionally, by selecting short or small boards, hardwood can become a more economically interesting option. This also increases the flexibility and freedom of the installers as they are able to cut boards as they please. The boards can reach 5 meters for those who want an endless look to their deck. Trees are, in many cases, extremely tall, which means that the decking boards produced are also able to reach these lengths. A dense and hard material will ensure a long life and minimal fungi infestation. * source:, ** Durability class depending on the quality of the wood, differs within and between treesīy choosing a hardwood deck you will have a durable solution that will outperform other, cheaper decking solutions, due to the density and natural resistance of the material. According to this norm, the natural durability of wood is defined as ‘the inherent resistance of wood against various wood-destroying organisms’. To compare the durability of hardwood and bamboo decking, besides the density, the Durability Class (according to EN350) has been taken to elaborate on the materials and touch on their performance, in terms of lifespan and biological durability. As bamboo is a new alternative to the market, not all testing has been done on bamboo, as with wood and the material is less known in the market. Different hardwood decks have a different density, which means there is a broad choice of woods for different applications. Hardwood is a very dense material which makes it a durable, natural option without the need for impregnation with harmful chemicals, like when choosing softwood, or plastic alternatives. A variety of colours, difference in grain appearance and variation make for a unique decking for a project every time. As humans, we are naturally drawn to the patterns and grains of natural materials, of which hardwood and bamboo decking is no exception. One of the main reasons to go for a hardwood deck is the natural appearance that is brought to a project. The top 3 pros of hardwood decking Beautiful natural look Scarcity and increasing deforestation problemsīamboo decking The pros of bamboo deckingĭiscover a complete comparison of decking materials here!.Hardwood decking The pros of hardwood decking To ensure a clear comparison here you can find the pros and cons of hardwood decking as well as bamboo decking. Often architects and deck builders ask about the differences in materials. Those looking into a bamboo deck are often familiar with other hardwood decking, such as ipe or bangkirai. When choosing a deck to accompany a project, it is important to know what the options are to ensure that the right choice is being made.

Moso bamboo x treme decking