Decking - Hardwood or Treated Pine?

Hi,

Will Hardwood decking or Treated Pine decking last longer? What are the pros and cons of them?

 

Consider modwood in the mix as well , its made from recycled stuff so never needs maintaining.

 

Treated pine - unless super thick - will likely warp a lot more than the equivalent thickness hardwood.

We used bamboo on our PPoR decks - I wouldn't recommend it over hardwood, but it never warped.

Modwood is ideal, but it is a fair bit more expensive than wood from memory, and never really looks "real".

Having said that; If we ever get back to a place with some decent decking area again; Modwood for sure....no maintenance.

 

Have a read here:
http://www.renovateforum.com/f196/treated-pine-vs-hardwood-decking-timber-pros-cons-75182/

 

Not sure what product brand it was, but I went to an open home a couple of months ago where they had used some sort of fake timber (what I assume Modwood is) for an exposed walkway. As we left (via the walkway, which connected the pole home to the carport), a board cracked underfoot. Upon close inspection, you could see the product had perished/ deteriorated and wherever the nails were, it had developed hairline cracks. This house was probably only about 5 years old.

So I guess you should definitely read the recommended usage spec sheets from the manufacturer if you go the composite route. Maybe that was a particularly cheap and nasty version - not sure. Personally, I would go with hardwood.

 

I'm a carpenter for over 15 years and this is my opinion.

Treated pine- this decking is cheap for a reason, it is the crappest decking to use as it expands and contracts ALOT in wet weather. If you decide to lay this decking Leave very minimal gap between the boards as it will end up shrinking and leave big gaps anyway in between the boards.

Mod wood- ugliest looking decking and it doesn't look like real decking, you can tell it is fake wood. The only good thing about it is that it is maintenance free. Still wouldn't use it though.

Hardwood- my favourite and well worth the extra dollars. Looks great and won't wear out as quick as the others. Merbau, Forrest red, Blackbutt are the most popular. If you choose this make sure you keep the oil up to it.

 

Here is a couple of decks we have done treated pine vs merbau hardwood. You be the judge which looks better.

 

I got my deck done last month with Spotted gum. Lurve it!

 

I've seen a few modwood decks out there and I like the look. It really comes into it's own if you want a colour that isn't an australian wood like the grey colour

 

There is another range called Trex

 

My pick for an IP would be modwood due to the maintenance factor.

 

Can u put up a pic, thinking of spotted gum decking as well to match our floorboards

 

Spotted gum is really nice. I'm on my ph at the moment but can post pics of floorboards and decking in spotted gum when I get home.

Not sure about for an IP, though - there might be cheaper hardwoods?

 

I haven't seen these ones before, although I don't look for that stuff anyway. Still wouldn't use it but that's just my opinion.

 

We built a merbau hardwood deck at our PPOR last year and have been very happy with it. I can understand people seeing no maintenance as a big plus for modwood but every day that you're not doing maintenance on hardwood you get to enjoy how much better it looks and really, oiling isn't that big a job.

 

hardwood definitely!

 

Ignore the mess. There was a party a day before

Also, regarding the colour, I did the staining myself with the Flood Spa n Deck (walnut shade). So, you can get whatever colour (almost) you want.

 

I used treated pine for my grannyflat and painted it. Doesn't look as great as hardwood but sure happy with it.

 

Have they solved the problem with modwood fading where it gets a lot of sun? I remember being unimpressed with the way it looked when it was a couple of years old - especially noticeable if it was partly under an alfresco/patio and the rest out in the open.

 

I'm getting a treated pine deck done. I'd live to get hardwood but the difference in cost meant it wouldn't get done.