Choosing the Right Hardwood for Your Deck

A nice deck is a thing of beauty and a centre of pride in the home. If you are thinking of building a deck it is a good idea to do a lot of research and look at several designs before committing. You are going to spend a lot of time on your deck and yes, you will be judged on its style and quality. If you are going with a wood deck you will want to choose an attractive wood with good qualities. Here is a list of different hardwood species commonly used for outdoor decks.

• Balau: Balau is a beautiful premium wood that is highly prized. It has most of the best qualities people look for in outdoor hardwood and it has a dramatic look as well with its rich red hues and beautiful grain pattern. It comes with a natural variation of hues which add to the effect. Balau is considered a very stable product which means you will not likely have to worry about warping or shrinkage or cupping. Balau is also fungus and insect resistant. So, it is an excellent all round decking solution
• Teak: Teak is a long-time favourite for decks, it has all the great qualities of insect resistance and stability, it also has a great colour variation. Teak has become less popular recently, because of some of the new options that have become available, but Teak is a joy to work with and it can be shaped and sanded to a beautiful polish if necessary. You will not regret choosing this material for your deck.
• Ipe: This is a South American product. It sometimes takes on an olive coloration and then darkens as it ages. It is very resistant to insects and fungus and it is currently a very popular product.
• Spotted Gum: This hardwood is native to Australia. It is fire resistant and stable. It does not have the same mould and insect resistance of some of the other species, but it is a very economical choice and easily located if you are searching for hardwood decking in Brisbane. It is also a good ecological choice because it is a native species
• Cumaru: Also known as Brazilian teak, this is a very popular choice with all the best qualities. It is a rich red and it does get darker over time. Another advantage is that Cumaru is fun to say.

With these facts in mind, your decision will also depend upon availability and price, as with all natural products there is some variability in supply.