Timber decking: choosing the right timber

If you want to build a deck but don’t know what type of timber will work best, this article will help you get it sorted.

Unfortunately, it’s not just a case of getting a few extra square metres of what you used inside and putting it outside – if only life were that simple!

Instead, you’ll need to look for timber that’s suitable for outdoor applications. But what does this mean? The timber must be durable enough to resist the natural elements – the heat and UV rays from the sun, rainwater, bird droppings and damage from insects and other organisms.

Given these desired properties, you’d be forgiven for thinking softwoods aren’t an appropriate timber decking choice, but you shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss this material. If treated correctly, so to resist the decay through sunlight and water rot, many softwoods, such as pine, can form the basis of an excellent deck.

Lightweight and cost-effective, treated softwood is actually the favoured timber decking choice in Australia. However, due to the chemicals involved, carpenters must be extremely vigilant when working with treated softwoods; this means wearing a mask when cutting the timber so as not to inhale any poisonous sawdust.

There are some carpenters who would prefer to only utilise softwoods for the structure (so it’s not exposed) and use hardwood for the exterior. Popular hardwoods include jarrah, mahogany, ironbark, blue gum and spotted gum. Although more expensive than softwoods, hardwoods give your timber decking a lustrous yet natural look and feel.

To increase durability, most hardwoods are fired in a kiln and can also be treated with stains and oils after installation, enhancing the life span of your timber deck.