​Hardwood Decks

Perhaps the only kind of decking that is on somewhat equal terms with composite decking is hardwood decking. If someone is looking for a decking material that’s able to withstand the test of time and the elements but isn’t interested in composite wood, then its hardwood counterpart is their best choice.

Our team of custon deck builders can construct the deck of our customer’s dreams out of the wood of their choice and if that wood is hardwood, then we will meet that challenge.

What does “Hardwood” Mean?
The thing about hardwood is that it’s actually kind of a catch-all term for woods that are hard. To a certain extent, the name is pretty self-explanatory - they are woods, that are very hard, that is to say, that they are really durable.

One thing about hardwoods is that many of them are exotic; Tigerwood, Cumaru, Ipe, Garapa are just some of the options that deck owners have to choose from. For customers that like the more exotic kinds of wood, hardwood is a nice place to start looking for what their deck is going to be made of.

Does Choosing Hardwood Come With Any Advantages?
We just explained that choosing hardwood means choosing a decking material that’s exotic, but what this means exactly is that there is a large number of natural patterns and colors to pick from. Hardwood is also very low-maintenance and durable too. It’s got the distinction of being the longest-lasting kind of decking too, coming in with a 40-year lifespan and they do very well in extreme climates. Hardwood is pest-resistant as well, so it’s not liable to suffer damage from insects. This type of wood has a higher resistance to decay and rot too.

Is It Possible to Have a Wooden Fire-retardant Deck?
Hardwood actually allows for would-be deck owners to have a wooden deck with a high degree of fire-resistance. It has a very low flame spread rate and some hardwoods have a class A fire rating. This means that if a fire were to ever break out, the odds of it turning into something large and uncontrollable are on the low side.

For people that are especially concerned about fires (if they live somewhere prone to having fires, for example), they should consider Ipe. Ipe, also called ironwood, is the undisputed king of fire-retardant woods.

Disadvantages of Choosing Hardwood
Like most things, however, hardwood does have its disadvantages. First and foremost, it’s expensive so deck building costs are going to be more than with other types of wood. Hardwood comes from slow-growing deciduous trees, so it can take a little bit more effort to get a hold of hardwood decking material. Deck owners will still need to do the yearly maintenance too; this material’s durability does not eliminate the need for annual maintenance.

Hardwood comes with a plethora of benefits for the people that decide to choose it. Our company recognizes both the pros and cons that come with choosing hardwood. We’ve made it our mission to make sure that our customers are appropriately aware of everything that you need to know about decking.