Hardwood or softwood
Hardwood is dense, strong and naturally durable, a good choice where timber faces the weather. Left alone it turns a soft silver, which looks right at home by the sea; oiled once a year, it keeps a rich warm colour.
Pressure-treated softwood is the budget-friendly route. It needs cleaning and treating every year or two, more so on the exposed coast.
Coast-proofing timber
Salt and damp are hard on ordinary screws, which rust and leave black stains in the wood. We use stainless steel fixings, ground-contact treated timber for posts and joists, sealed cut ends, drainage gaps between boards and plenty of air underneath, so the deck dries out quickly after rain.
Is timber right for you?
In a sheltered garden inland, with a little care each year, timber is lovely. On an exposed plot near the front at Redcar or Marske, we'd usually steer you towards composite, which needs far less upkeep.
Common questions
Will a hardwood deck go grey by the sea?
Yes, unoiled hardwood weathers to silver-grey, often faster near the coast. Many people like it. An annual oil keeps the colour.
Do I need stainless screws?
On the coast, we always use stainless or properly coated fixings. Ordinary screws rust quickly in salt air.