Three types of hardwoods commonly used in deck construction are Ipe, Iroko, and Teak. When first constructed an Iroko or African teak deck looks yellow, but as the wood ages, it turns an appealing brown. In addition to being used in decking, it has been used for garden furniture and naval construction. The wood has a medium density compared to the other two woods. While it resists wear and decay, and is not as resistant as the other two species.

Garden Decks and Patios

Teak lumber has a dark golden brown appearance. It has a straight grain with a coarse texture, and darker striations. Teak wood also withstands the affects of weather, and does not need preservatives or stains. The hardness of the wood makes it resistant to insect damage as well. Due to its good look and durability this wood has commonly been a favourite for garden furniture, pool areas, and boat decks.

The hardness of Ipe makes it a top choice for deck projects. This wood is fine grained with a deep red colour. Its aesthetic beauty will enhance any deck. Ipe is much harder than oak, and one of the strongest woods in the world making it highly resistant to weather and insect damage. Ipe cost less than woods of similar strength.

Regardless of which of these woods are used, the result will be beautiful garden decking. Enjoy the outdoors with a barbecue on the new deck. Maybe even spend some time with your significant other watching the sunset. The deck could even offer a place to observe birds, rabbits and deer feeding in the backyard.

Clear the area of any soil, or if you are adding the decking on any existing paving stones, then treat them with weed killer, and cover with a plastic sheet. The last thing you need is for weeds to creep through the bottom of the deck once you have built it. If the decking is next to your house then you need to make it slope away from the building to let rain water flow off it. Also make sure you do not cover the damp proof course if it is right next to your house. Once this is done you can start to build the support frame. Try to make this as solid as possible by adding support joists every 18 inches or so. Wood can become springy if not correctly supported, so take some time to get this bit right. Screw the joists together, do not hammer in nails as they will twist and become loose over time. Use a good quality screwdriver, you can pick one up from argos, or go for an electric one to make things easier for yourself. Once the support frame has been built you can then add the decking panels on top.

Garden Decks and Patios

These panels need to run at right angles to the support joists, and the longer the wood panels are, the better the finished product will be. Use pre-drilled, counter suck holes, and screw the panels together. This will give much better support than using nails or tacks, and will look better when finished. The wood panels can be in all shapes and designs, so shop around for the best deals, and try to match the colour of the decking to other structures in the garden. The more panels you buy, the cheaper they will be, and you can pick them up from online stores such as argos online, or from garden improvement stores.

Once the panels have been screwed down you can treat the edges with wood preservative to stop them rotting. You can also add fascias to any exposed ends to give a more professional look. After this is done you should now be standing on your very own garden deck area.