Best timber for decking?

[Nigel Watts]

I am replacing a small area of decking in my garden together with its supporting substructure. The previous one was made with treated deal and has perished.

I have some 5x2 Iroko beams from a long since demolished conservatory which I plan to use as joists and I was thinking of buying some Iroko decking to go on top. Does this sound OK? Any other ideas?

 

[davidbrac]

I am not a great lover of decking, most of the stuff l have seen that has been in a few years has been slippy and one lot sent my flying - but that's another story.

Iroko would be good for decking it weathers well and is a good hardwood. http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/iroko/
In my previous house l made a garden gate out of iroko that was purchased via an open day auction at WL Wests Think l got a pallet load for £30. It looked great and was easy to work but dusty, so good dust extraction is needed.

Oak would also be good in my opinion, especially if its home grown. My first stop would be any local saw mill to see what they can supply.

 

[Keithj]

I inherited a wooden gatepost bolted to a concrete fencepost. The wood had rotted and the (wrought iron) gate was hanging off.

I went to the local timber yard. He could do me a pair of very nice oak gateposts for about £20, or he had this oak offcut that I could have for free. It was very slightly "out of square", which meant the outside is flush with the fencepost, and the hinges angled very slightly so that gravity gently closes the gate if it's left open.

I lashed out on two long stainless steel coachbolts to fix it to the fencepost. £3 for two! The wood is lightening up nicely, to match the oak on the house.

 

[Penners]

Iroko would certainly be a durable timber to use for this application. However, you may wish to read the section headed "Sustainability" in the following:-

http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/iroko/

English oak would, I believe, be equally as durable, without the concerns about sustainability. It would be advisable to use kilned, air-dried or at least old-felled timber, as green oak might cause some warping problems.

 

[robgil]

I would just go like for like if it were me, unless you are replacing the whole lot. Treated softwood should do the job so long as you wash it and re-treat it from time to time.