Decking materials compared
| Material | Durability | Maintenance | Relative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPE | Very high | Oil 1–2 times a year, or let it go silver-grey | Highest |
| Cumaru | Very high | Oil 1–2 times a year, or let it go silver-grey | High |
| Garapa | High | Oil once a year | Medium |
| Thermo-treated wood | Good | Oil once a year | Medium |
| Larch | Medium | Oil, or let it go silver-grey | Lower |
| WPC | High | Wash with water | Medium to high |
IPE decking
IPE is one of the hardest and densest woods used for decking. It is heavy, stable and very resistant to rot and insects, which is why an IPE deck can last several decades. It is a dark olive-brown colour.
Because it is so hard, the boards are pre-drilled before fixing and are slower to work, which also shows in the installation price.
Cumaru decking
Cumaru is also a hard, durable tropical wood, with a reddish-brown tone that is warmer than IPE. It is usually cheaper than IPE, with similar durability.
It moves a little more with changes in humidity, so the gaps between boards and the ventilation underneath matter even more.
Garapa decking
Garapa is a golden-yellow colour that darkens over time towards honey. It is a hardwood, lighter and cheaper than IPE and Cumaru, and a good fit if you want a bright deck.
Thermo-treated wood and larch
Thermo-treated wood (ash or pine) is European wood heated to high temperatures, without chemicals, to make it more stable and more resistant to rot.
Larch is a naturally durable softwood, light in colour, that turns silver-grey over time. Both are good options for a smaller budget, with a shorter lifespan than tropical wood.
WPC (wood-plastic composite) decking
WPC boards are made from wood fibre and polymer. They do not need oiling, do not splinter and keep their colour more evenly than wood.
On the other hand, they get hotter in the sun and expand in the heat, so they must be installed with the gaps the manufacturer specifies. It is worth choosing a quality product with a clear warranty.
What matters when installing a deck
The material matters, but a deck only lasts as long as the structure underneath allows.
- A sound substructure: joists set on a stable base, with a slight fall so water drains away.
- Ventilation under the deck, so the wood can dry out after rain.
- Gaps between boards, so the wood can move and water can drain.
- Joist spacing that suits the board thickness, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Fixing with hidden clips or stainless steel screws, never ordinary steel, which rusts and stains the wood.
We install the boards on a timber joist structure and choose the clips or screws to suit the material and the location.
How to choose
- You want the longest life and don’t mind oiling or a silver-grey patina: IPE or Cumaru.
- You want as little maintenance as possible: WPC.
- You want a bright deck: Garapa or larch.
- You have a smaller budget: thermo-treated wood or larch.
We can bring samples so you can see the materials in person. We also sell the complete system (boards, joists, clips and screws) if you want to install it yourself.