What Is the Best Wood for Decking?

If you’re thinking about adding wood decking to your garden, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a lot more to the process than simply putting some planks down. It’s a big job but an important one to get right.

Get your wood decking spot on and you’ve got a cosy outdoor space for the cooler months, a place for family and friends to bask in the sun, a venue for parties and gatherings, or a place to unwind under the stars.

If you can get your wood decking right, then it’s a space where you want to spend time but get it wrong and it can be a disaster. A mess that costs you both time and money, setting your dream home ambitions back. You’re left with a heap of rotting wood and the huge job of fixing it. So how can you get the perfect decking?

When you’re planning your decking build, there’s one question that’s more important than the rest – what is the best wood for decking in your garden? The answer to that question isn’t necessarily an easy one to find. But it’s an answer that, if you get it right, gives you so much more from your wood decking.

Choosing the best wood for your decking impacts the aesthetics of your project, its longevity and durability, and its ability to give you exactly what you’re looking for. But if that sounds stressful don’t panic, we’re here to help you make the right choice.

Read on to find out the best wood for decking.

What Do You Need to Consider When Choosing the Best Wood for Decking?

When it comes to finding the best wood for decking, it can be a balancing act. There are many elements that you need to think about and each one plays a different part in giving you that dream outdoor space that you want.

Here are a few things that you need to take into account when you’re trying to find the best wood for decking: 

1. Durability: your decking should be able to take a beating from the elements – heavy winter rain, the summer sun and temperature swings can all wreak havoc on decking if you don’t choose the right wood. Make sure you pick a wood that’s able to handle the environmental characteristics of your location so that your decking doesn’t fall apart. 
2. Decay resistance: decking is constantly battling with moisture, especially in the UK. That means you need a type of wood that's resistant to decay and rot. Moisture plays the biggest part in causing your decking to decay so you need to get it right.
3. Aesthetics: this is often a personal choice but you want your decking to look good, right? Looks and aesthetics are affected by the wood's colour and grain pattern, amongst other things. The appearance of the wood impacts the final style of your decking.
4. Maintenance: different woods have different maintenance needs, from regular sealing to the occasional spruce-up. You need to think about whether you can meet the maintenance requirements of your chosen wood in order to get the most out of your decking, otherwise you risk affecting the durability and looks of your new outdoor space. 
5. Sustainability: sustainable wood sourcing is a pretty big talking point these days, and for good reason. It’s worth looking into whether your chosen wood can be acquired from a sustainable supplier, particularly if you’re concerned about the ecological impact. This factor can have a big impact on certain wood choices. 
6. Budget: sadly, certain types of wood are simply much more expensive than others. Your chosen budget is going to play a big role in helping you make the final choice when it comes to the best wood for your decking. 

The Best Wood for Decking 

When it comes to choosing your decking timber, there can be an overwhelming number of options. But there are definitely some stand-out candidates that can give you everything you need for your decking project. Let’s take a look at some of the best wood types for decking: 

1. Softwood: Pressure-Treated Pine 

Softwoods are one of the most popular types of wood used when building decking or other constructions for outdoor patio areas, and pressure-treated pine is possibly right at the top of that list as one of the most used.
Pressure-treated pine is a budget-friendly option – possibly one of the cheapest types of decking boards you can find – that’s treated with a range of chemicals to battle rot and insect infestations, making it a great workhorse for outdoor decking.

Pressure-treated pine does, however, need some maintenance and requires sealing and staining to ensure longevity. Pine can also sometimes darken slightly as it ages and so anyone concerned with aesthetics of their wood decking will want to bear that in mind.

2. Softwood: Redwood and Cedar 

Hailed as some of the best softwood decking boards and timber you can use – redwood and cedar are extremely popular. Both are great wood for decking and it’s easy to see why. They offer more durability than pine, with redwood being the most durable out of the two.

These varieties also offer a more natural resistance to decay and bugs, and both boast beautiful natural colours and grain patterns that can result in a stunning decking project for any outdoor space. Redwood and cedar are both more costly than pine, but they do require less maintenance, and generally have a longer lifespan. 

3. Hardwood: Ipe 

Ipe, also known as "ironwood," is the deck superstar when it comes to durability and decay resistance. With a rich, dark colour and unique grain pattern, Ipe is a gorgeous option for a unique appearance.

Ipe is also a low-maintenance wood and can last for decades if given the proper care. It boasts excellent resistance to moisture and bugs, as well as fire and superficial damage like scratches. 

4. Hardwood: Teak  

Teak in particular is an incredibly popular choice due to its excellent durability and longevity. With a high oil content, it boasts fantastic resistance to decay and bugs, and it also features excellent tensile strength. However, teak is also one of the more expensive hardwood options, and can leave a rather hefty dent in your budget.

5. Hardwood: Oak

Oak is also very popular for its strength, durability, and natural resistance to moisture, and is a much more cost-efficient option compared to teak. You also have a few different options when it comes to finding the right look with oak, particularly when it comes to colour. Different varieties, such as red and white, give you a lot of options when it comes to getting the aesthetic of your decking right.  

Hardwood vs Softwood for Decking

Hardwood decking is much more durable than softwood. So why is softwood the most popular choice for decking?

Well, hardwood is often much more expensive. The trees that hardwood varieties come from are generally slow growing. But the benefits of hardwood decking are hard to turn down if your budget will allow for their use.

Cut-to-Size Wood for Decking

While you’ll want to choose one of these soft or hardwood options for the main construction of your wood decking, cut-to-size wood, particularly cut-to-size plywood and MDF, can be an invaluable material throughout your build.

Woods like MDF don't have what it takes to be a long-lasting and reliable option as a main decking timber but they’re a fantastic option for creating custom decking elements. These can include elements such as railings, posts and other decorative or support aspects.

The biggest benefit of cut-to-size wood panels is that you get a precise fit from the get-go, and they provide you with plenty of flexibility when bringing your decking project to life. Cut-to-size wood also help you save money overall while reducing waste, because you’re only buying the wood that you need for specific parts of your decking. 

So, What Is the Best Wood for Decking?

When it comes to making the final choice, it’s about finding the right fit for you and your needs. We’ve listed some of best wood for decking, and from this list you have a wide array of options that provide distinct advantages over others, and some of these varieties are only suitable for certain budgets. So, what are our top options for decking wood?

• Budget friendly: for a popular budget-friendly choice, pressure-treated pine is a fantastic option.
• Durability and longevity: if you want to venture into the world of hardwood decking, Ipe and oak offer outstanding durability with excellent longevity, but at a much higher cost.
• Aesthetics: when it comes to aesthetics, it’s all down to you.

Finding the Best Decking Wood for You

It all comes down to your priorities – set out your needs and find the right fit for you. And if you need help with cut-to-size wood – like marine ply, OSB and more – for your decking or other DIY projects, we’ve got you covered.

Need help finding the right wood for your or have another question about your home DIY project? Get in touch, we’re always happy to help.