More and more terraces are made of wood and there are a few good reasons for this. Unlike stone, wood is a warm, natural material that is easy to work with. In addition, thanks to the import of tropical hardwood, it is also possible to create a wooden terrace that does not require maintenance. In this article you will find a summary of all types of wood and their possibilities.
Common types of wood used for decks
The maintenance, quality and durability of a wooden deck will be determined mainly by the type of wood chosen, followed by the thickness and the way of construction. Here is an overview of the most used types of wood with indicative prices.
Tropical hardwood deck
Thanks to tropical hardwood, it is perfectly possible to create a terrace that requires almost no maintenance. The wood should not be treated with varnish and turns gray in a beautiful way after a certain period. Hardwood is mostly used for making landings and is therefore very strong. The types of hardwood tropical most used are Padouk , Ipe, Massaranduba, Afzelia, Azobe, Bilinga and Bankirai . Each type of wood will turn gray in a different way and show other designs. Durability will vary greatly as well. We must therefore compare!
European wooden decks
When you want to create an eco-responsible terrace, European wood is a good choice. Siberian larch, European oak, and chestnut are all very suitable types of wood for making a durable and stylish patio. European oak and chestnut belong to durability class 2 and turn gray in the beautiful way tropical wood types do. In addition, the chestnut is resistant to moisture and mold. When you want to buy European timber, you have to check whether it has a PEFC or FSC certificate. So you are sure of a durable origin.
ThermoWood terrace
The ThermoWood comes from Scandinavian pine which has had a heat treatment. By treating the wood with steam and heat, it is modified to a durable wood type comparable to tropical wood types. In the process, no chemicals are used. In addition, ThermoWood is much cheaper and more environmentally friendly because pine wood grows much faster. This material is not only used in wooden decks; this innovative type of wood is also used in the interiors.
Wood composite
With the wood composite, it looks like you have a wooden deck while it is actually a recycled product. The wood composite is made of 60% wood fibers and 40% recycled plastic. It does not absorb water, so there will be no splinters or mold, and the wood will not split or warp. In many ways, a composite deck is a good alternative for tropical wood types that are in the same price and durability class. With this material you are sure of the same shades, the choice of which is large.
Price wooden terrace
As you would have noticed, the price will vary greatly depending on the type of wood chosen. Above the price per square meter, you have to count on 10 euros per square meter for the mounting material. The support structure will cost an average of 30 euros per square meter, depending on the method chosen. If you do the landscaping yourself, you should expect an average price of 75 euros per square meter.
Have the terrace arranged or do it yourself?
Since most types of wood are quite expensive, professional landscaping can be beneficial. If your terrace is attached to the house, you only have to pay 6% VAT on the hours of work and the wood. For tropical hardwood, you can easily save a few hundred dollars. Add in the lower price your carpenter receives, and the difference between having the patio laid out and doing it yourself is almost negligible.
Tile or wooden floor?
For the arrangement of a wooden terrace, there are two methods that are applied: planks and tiling. Tiling is especially for DIY enthusiasts and is ideal for quickly making a pleasant terrace. In terms of durability and firmness, a floor is much better. Planks are normally thicker than tile and are better protected against warping and sagging.
Create a wooden terrace
Arranging a wooden deck is a task that you can perfectly do on your own if you have the necessary knowledge. The most important precautions are stable support and adequate drainage. It is also necessary to take into account the correct fixing methods so that the boards cannot warp or split. Fastening materials should be made of stainless steel so that they cannot rust.