The appeal of real wood
Some houses just look right with timber. A Georgian townhouse in Yarm, a Victorian villa in Hartburn, a stone-trimmed house near Norton Green: in gardens like these a wooden deck feels part of the place. Real wood is warm underfoot in the sun and it changes gently with the seasons.
Hardwood
Dense hardwoods such as balau and ipe are heavy, hard and naturally resistant to rot. They cost more than softwood and take longer to fit, because every board is pre-drilled and screwed. In return you get a deck with a much longer life. Oil it once or twice a year to keep the colour, or leave it and let it weather to a soft silver grey.
Treated softwood
Pressure-treated softwood is the economical option. It's light, quick to build with and looks fresh and pale when new. The catch is upkeep: in a damp, shady garden it needs a clean and a coat of treatment each year, and its life is shorter than hardwood or composite. It makes sense for a budget deck or a garden you expect to change.
Built to stay dry
Most problems with timber decks come from water that can't get away. We set posts on concrete pads, never in soil, use ground-contact timber for the frame, leave gaps between boards and keep the deck clear of the house's damp-proof course. Membrane and gravel underneath stop weeds and help air move.
Hardwood or composite?
If you're unsure, we'll price both. Many people in older homes still choose composite in a woodgrain brown, because it gives a similar look without the oiling. Others want the real thing, and we're happy to build it.
Questions we get asked
How often does a hardwood deck need oiling?
If you want to keep the original colour, usually once or twice a year. If you're happy for it to turn silver grey, it needs no oiling, just an occasional clean.
Can a timber deck be left to go grey on purpose?
Yes. Hardwood weathers to an even silver that many people love. It doesn't harm the wood, which stays strong.