Common Types of Garden Decking

Garden decking can add value and beauty to your home. Here are the different types of decking that you can use for your garden deck:

Ø  Timber Decking

The most popular and traditional material used for garden decking is wood. It tends to be our first port of call when it comes to decking. The common types of wood used for timber decking are oak, ipe, teak and iroko. Timber is durable and aesthetically pleasing.

Use oil, paint, preservatives or stain to prolong the life span of your timber deck. Oil is said to be the best option since it enhances the natural beauty of the timber and it protects the wood from the many elements.

Ø  Composite Decking

Composite is a great alternative to wood but it is not a natural product. Composite is made up of wood fibre and plastic that is combined to create a plank. It doesn’t expand or contract with changes in moisture and temperature. That means it will not easily crack, warp or split compared to solid wood.

Ø  PVC Decking

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of the most produced plastics in the world. It is a versatile product that is known for its strength and adaptability. People choose PVC decking because it is low maintenance.

Ø  Aluminium Decking

Aluminium decking is the cutting edge decking option because it is maintenance-free. Also, it is well suited to a cutting edge decking project. It is a relatively new addition to the UK decking options. However, aluminium decking is not that easy to incorporate into a classic decking project.

Above all the options, most people consider wood to be the best material for decking. Timber is easy to maintain, eco-friendly and highly durable. Therefore, a timber deck will definitely add value to your home.

UK Timber offers different products for timber decking. Call us on 01536-267-107 or send an email to sales@uk-timber.co.uk for enquiries.

Common Wood Preservative Formulations in the UK

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Red and White Oak Flooring Comparison

Oak wood is an exceptional and timeless material that is used as decking boards, beams and as a perfect flooring option.

Oak flooring is widely used in many European households. Available in two kinds: the red oak and the white oak, both have an exceptional beauty. However, there are still differences between the two.  

Strength and Durability

Determining the strength and durability of an oak flooring material depends on two main factors – the Janka hardness and the density.

                Janka Hardness

The Janka hardness rating measures how resistant a piece of hardwood can be. The measurement is in pounds, where the higher rating is equivalent to a harder wood.

Density

Density measures how much wood is packed into a cubic meter.

The combination of the two factors will determine the capacity of the wood to endure wear and tear.

Red oak has a Janka hardness rating of 12,900 lbs. and a density of 780 kg/m3. White oak has a hardness rating of 1,360 lbs. and a density of 900 KG/m3. The white oak flooring is stronger than the red.

Appearance

Both have tight, complex grain patterns. The heartwood has a reddish-brown hue and is surrounded by warm glowing tones, making red oak the perfect option for a more exotic-looking floor. White oak takes on a pale tone with a contrasting dark grain, providing a more neutral and versatile look.

Movement in Service

Movement in Service refers to how much a hardwood shrinks or expands during shipping or after installation. The measurement is based on the tangential and radial shrinkage – which is expressed as a percentage. The lower the percentage, the less likely the wood will shrink.

The tangential and radial shrinkage for red oak flooring is 8.6% and 4.0%, respectively. For white oak flooring, the numbers are 7.2% and 4.2%. It is clear that white oak flooring can resist buckling, bending and warping – better than the red oak.

To learn more about UK Timber’s oak flooring options, call us on +44 (0)1536 267107.