Decking board for terrace

Characteristics and dimensions

Let’s start with a description of the material:

Deck board is one of the options for outdoor flooring. It is used not only for decorating terraces, but also on verandas, balconies, paths, walkways, as well as in the cladding of building facades, the design of fences.

Important! Decking is often confused with deck board, but they are separate materials. The easiest way to tell them apart is by their appearance: the former has a textured surface, the latter is smooth.

The characteristics of the board depend primarily on its composition: there is decking made of natural wood or wood-polymer composite.

The advantages of each option and which of the two is better suited for open and closed spaces will be discussed in the following sections.

As for the dimensions:

• WPC decking is available in widths of 9-25 cm and lengths of 3-6 meters. The thickness varies depending on the purpose: thin – 19-21 mm, medium 22-30, thick – 35-48 (for high-traffic areas).
• With solid wood, everything is more complicated. Width within 12-14 cm, length up to 4 m, thickness of boards ~28 mm.

The composition also affects the service life of the decking board: WPC decking from different manufacturers has different parameters, but in general the lifespan of the flooring reaches 50 years. Natural wood, unlike composite, regularly requires special treatment: the more carefully it is done, the longer the coating will last.

The service life also depends on the type of wood: most often, boards are made of larch and pine. The first (corduroy) without protective compounds will last ~50 years, the second – no more than 5.

The photo shows the decoration of the terrace with decking

Pros and cons

What are the pros and cons of the decking board largely depend on what it is made of. But first, let’s look at the general indicators:

Advantages:

1. Moisture resistance. WPC boards are not afraid of water in principle, the wood becomes hydrophobic after the surface of the board is treated with protection.
2. Resistance to temperature changes. This applies more to composite decking or expensive wood species. Cheap wood quickly loses its appearance.
3. Wear resistance. Neither thin studs, nor heavy furniture, nor other aggressive measures can damage the finish.
4. Safety. Since it is impossible to slip on the joists, thanks to the grooves on the corrugated surface, they are often laid on docks, piers, and by swimming pools.
5. Durability. Life expectancy with active use reaches 50 years or even more.
6. Beauty. After all, the floor, even if it is outdoor, should not only be practical, but also fit into the design. And what could be more harmonious in the exterior than wood or its imitation?

It is still more logical to analyze the disadvantages of decking separately for wood and composite.

• Any, even rare exotic wood species, are susceptible to moisture, mold, fungus, pests, insects. Therefore, wood flooring requires protection. Boards are treated not only before laying, but also regularly repeat the coating on the finished floor. Without varnish or wax from snow, rain, ultraviolet radiation, the logs will quickly lose their original appearance and the specified geometry: the flooring will have to be changed.
• Deck boards made of WPC are devoid of the disadvantages listed above, but they have their own nuances: for example, unnatural composition. Polyvinyl chloride covers many shortcomings, but the flooring can no longer be called environmentally friendly.

Important! When calculating the final cost of the finished floor, consider not only the price of the material, but also additional costs. For example, to make polymer decking look aesthetically pleasing, it is supplemented with L- or F-shaped profiles along the edges. And natural wood will have to be covered with special mixtures in several layers, and this also costs money. In addition, the work takes a lot of effort and time. Do not forget about fasteners – from self-tapping screws to special fasteners.

Which type of material is better?

It is difficult to clearly choose between solid wood decking or WPC products: both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the decision is made based on each specific case.

Natural wood

By purchasing solid wood materials, you add environmental friendliness to your space, but be prepared for complex preparation and regular maintenance. The logs require periodic coating with oil, paint, varnish – this is the only way to achieve high performance characteristics.

The second issue is cost. Cheap larch or pine will not hit the budget, but it is not highly resistant to various types of impacts and will not last as long as, for example, expensive oak.

The rule is simple: the harder the raw material used, the more expensive and durable it is.

Wood is sold both clean and pre-treated:

• Heat-treated. Thanks to a steam sauna at a temperature of 200C, the parameters of the wood change for the better: the decking becomes more durable, not subject to drying out under direct rays.
• Impregnated. In this case, the wood begins to absorb protective compounds already in production, and they penetrate the fibers under high pressure, which is much more reliable than conventional impregnation. In addition, during the complex process, wood loses excess moisture under the influence of a vacuum and becomes less susceptible to rotting and fungus.

The photo shows a natural floorboard on a closed balcony

WPC

Composite boards are devoid of many negative qualities of wooden materials, due to the addition of various polymers to wood flour. PVC (it is also used in the production of panels) provides resistance to high humidity, low temperatures, and sunlight.

There is no need to prepare the decking board for laying – the logs are already painted and ready for use. Further care for the polymer floor is also minimal: it can be washed with any means and does not require processing.

However, the unnatural composition cannot be called inexpensive: the cost of one board is on average twice as expensive as lamellas made of coniferous wood.

The ratio of polymers to wood flour determines more precise characteristics of the decking:

• 50/50. The mixture is considered the most correct – the finished logs look beautiful and have all the above-mentioned positive qualities.
• 40/60. When there is more PVC than wood, the flooring looks very unnatural.
• 70/30. On the one hand, a small amount of polymer = a more environmentally friendly composition. On the other hand, less protection from moisture – the floor may swell.

The photo shows fine-textured composite

Recommendations for selection

The use of decking is the main point on which the final choice should be based.

For example, for closed gazebos, balconies, loggias, it is better to choose larch or another coniferous analogue. Cheap species are not so durable, so they do not behave well outdoors. But indoors they have no equal: firstly, the area of balconies is small and you will have to process a little. Secondly, the beautiful structure and characteristic smell of wood will create an unforgettable atmosphere in the house.

Open loggias, verandas, terraces or porches are paved with high-quality expensive boards (they are distinguished by strength and density) or decking made of wood-polymer composite. The latter can emit an unpleasant odor in closed rooms, but is safe in open areas.

What else to pay attention to when choosing a deck board:

• Class. Refers to natural wood, shows the quality of the raw material. For example, AB is inexpensive, but there are knots on the surface. Extra is the best type of boards: absolutely smooth, homogeneous wood.
• Color. Natural flooring can be covered with any composition, and the shade of the composite is specified by the manufacturer and is chosen “on the shore”.
• Appearance. Of course, there should be no cracks, chips, potholes on the front side.
• Standard. Materials made of wood-polymer composite can be marked Home (used for low-load spaces), Professional (has increased strength, suitable for commercial locations).

The photo shows a dark floor on the porch of a house

Application options

Thanks to their almost unique properties, decking logs have become so popular with craftsmen that they have been used in so many different ways: from interior work in apartments to finishing the facades of houses and installing fences.

Floor on the balcony

Finishing the floor for open or cold balconies raises many questions by materials: not all types are suitable for balcony conditions. Decking is a suitable option for flooring, because walking barefoot on it is a pleasure.

And the installation process is so simple that you can do it yourself – which means the high price is justified by the savings on paying the craftsmen.

Advice! The logs are suitable not only for finishing the floor, but also walls and ceilings.

Floor on the terrace

Judging by the name, it is easy to guess that decking is literally made for terraces! The coating, resistant to sun, temperature and humidity, fits perfectly into the landscape design and creates a cozy atmosphere near the house.

On such a floor you can place a recreation area, a dining area, put a jacuzzi or a pool, install a playground.

The photo shows an open terrace with a dining table

Porch finishing

The area near the front door is subject to serious mechanical loads, so the requirements for the flooring material here are higher than even on the terrace. The flooring should be decorative, wear-resistant – such as decking.

In addition, the porch is often equipped with steps that must be safe for children and adults: slipping on a wooden floor is excluded even after rain in the fall or snowfall in the winter.

Tip! If it often rains in your region, cover the porch with decking. The surface texture and gaps between the boards will not allow water to accumulate at the entrance to the house or penetrate inside.

Paths in the country

Garden paths are the most important component of landscape design. They directly affect the appearance of the site, because they diverge along the entire perimeter.

Deck board is an excellent option for finishing paths. Wood fits well into the environment, and it is much easier to wash it, unlike stone, which means your paths will always look aesthetically pleasing.

The photo shows paths in landscape design

Facades

Any type of decking is an analogue of clapboard or siding. In such “clothes” private houses and cottages look modern, original.

Important! For a more impressive appearance, use logs only on part of the house, combining them with simpler, smooth materials – for example, plaster.

Fence made of decking

Lamels are also suitable for the construction of fences: safe fences made of decking have a pleasant appearance and raise the status of the object.

From individual boards can be used to make a classic picket fence, a horizontal fence or a recently popular “wave” layout (it is better to entrust the production to a construction company).

Gate from decking board

In addition to the fence, you can make a gate and a wicket: for this, individual planks are fastened with self-tapping screws to a metal profile of any type.

The photo shows a combined fence made of boards and bricks

Beds

We cannot ignore avid summer residents. The high degree of water protection of logs made of WPC allows them to be used as fences for beds. A vegetable garden with such flower beds looks very stylish.

Depending on the task, you can make a bed of any shape and size: from a low small flower bed to a huge “planter” for a tree or bush.

The photo shows beds made of decking

Design examples

The main issue when choosing boards is color. PVC decking is available in a wide range of shades: from natural ones, such as oak, maple, pine.

To unusual ones:

• gray quartz;
• green malachite;
• red-orange terracotta;
• gray-black indigo.

Different manufacturers have different color lines, in some cases, if the variety is not enough, you can ask to make the desired shade to order, choosing from the RAL scale.

The photo shows the finishing of the stairs with WPC decking

With natural wood, everything is even simpler: the base can be painted in any tone! With tinted wax, stain, tinted varnish or the most common paint. You can even make a pattern, because the choice is unlimited.

It is not necessary to use only one shade – the colors go well with each other. For example, make a dark edging on a light base or highlight the recreation area with a color different from the main one.

The photo shows a light floor made of natural material

Finally, a piece of advice: before buying a board, ask the manufacturer for a certificate for this expensive product. This way you can be sure of the quality of the material and check the necessary characteristics, for example, the minimum temperature or maximum humidity.