Everything you need to know about timber decking — species, performance, maintenance, and whether it's the right choice for your garden and budget.
Timber has been used in outdoor construction for centuries — not because there was nothing better, but because when it's the right species and properly installed, it genuinely outperforms the alternatives on value, character, and versatility.
Modern pressure treatment and responsibly sourced hardwoods mean a well-built timber deck will last fifteen to twenty years with basic maintenance. It ages naturally, feels warm underfoot in summer, and looks exactly like what it is: a material that belongs in a garden.
It's also the most workable material — it cuts cleanly, fits around awkward garden shapes, integrates with other garden features, and can be repaired board by board if something goes wrong rather than requiring full replacement.
Timber decking requires periodic oiling or treatment — roughly every one to two years depending on species and exposure. This is the main trade-off against composite.
If you're comfortable with that (many people enjoy it as part of seasonal garden prep), timber is an excellent choice. If you want to clean it once and forget it, composite is likely the better fit.
I'll tell you which makes more sense for your situation — not which one I'd prefer to install.
Annual clean · Oil or treat every 1–2 years · Check fixings every 3–5 years
Bristol · Thornbury · South Gloucestershire · Filton · Clifton · Westbury-on-Trym · Almondsbury
Species selection matters more than most people realise. The wrong timber in the wrong situation underperforms badly. Here's what I recommend and why.
Species like Ipe, Cumaru and Garapa are exceptionally dense and durable. They resist rot, insects and weathering without treatment. Higher upfront cost but outstanding longevity. All sourced from FSC-certified merchants.
Pressure-treated pine or larch is the most common choice — cost-effective, widely available, and very capable when installed correctly with the right fixings and ventilation. Requires periodic re-treatment.
A popular mid-ground choice. Naturally higher in resin than other softwoods, which gives it better natural rot resistance. Weathers to a silver-grey beautifully, or can be oiled to maintain the golden tone.
From a simple ground-level platform to a raised deck with balustrade, integrated steps and a pergola overhead — I design and build the full thing.
Every deck I build starts with ground preparation — proper weed suppression, gravel bed where needed, and a sub-frame designed to drain correctly and stay stable. No shortcuts that show up three years later.
Posts are set at the correct depth for the load. Fixings are stainless steel or hot-dip galvanised — nothing that will rust and stain the boards. Ventilation is designed in from the start, not an afterthought.
The result is a deck that doesn't bounce, doesn't flex on the joists, and doesn't develop problems that cost as much as the original build to put right.
Talk Through Your ProjectStraight answers to the questions I get asked most often. If yours isn't here, just call.
Call or WhatsApp directly. No forms, no waiting rooms — just a straight conversation about what you want and what it'll cost.