Choose the right job class
A first criterion to which you should be interested in choosing your wood is its class of use. All woods, whether for indoor or outdoor use, are classified according to their various uses, strength and special characteristics.
- Thus, to withstand outdoor exposure, the wood should ideally display a use class of 4. You will then benefit from a wood that will be able to be in contact with the ground, but also with rainwater. It also means that it will be resistant to fungi or xylophagous insects.
- In some cases, you can turn to class 3 wood species, such as chestnut, douglas, etc. But it is then necessary that the terrace is installed in such a way as to be well ventilated and not to risk be damaged.
- If you have planned to cover your wooden deck, class 2 will be sufficient for your wood.
- Finally, for a terrace by the sea or in a pontoon, it is necessary to use a wood whose use class is 5.
Namely, most woods for terraces benefit from a treatment to be classified at level 4. However, some composite or exotic woods benefit naturally from this classification and therefore do not need any treatment.
For the realization of a swimming pool terrace, it is better to favor an exotic wood species which will benefit from a better resistance to humidity. You can also opt for composite wood. Finally, European wood having received a treatment that makes it rot-proof is another possible solution, but its lifespan will be reduced.
The different types of wood
European wood species
European wood species are more affordable than exotic wood species and offer rather light colors. As it ages, the wood tends to turn gray or silver. Not being rot-proof, these essences must undergo a treatment which is generally carried out in an autoclave and gives it better resistance. For this type of wood, it takes about ten years.
Among the species of European wood, we can mention:
- douglas which is grown in Europe and is very affordable;
- larch which, taking into account the importance of its density, benefits from a good durability and benefits from a good quality / price ratio.
Exotic wood species
Exotic woods, whether theipe, the cumaru where the massaranduba, are very popular and for good reason, they offer a whole palette of very beautiful and warm colors which vary from one species of wood to another. In addition to their aesthetic appearance, exotic woods are also very resistant. You will thus be able to take advantage of their natural propensity to resist various hazards. An exotic wood species is certainly more expensive at the time of purchase, but in the long run, it will ultimately be more economical. In addition, it is a material that holds up well to the stains and knocks that are inevitable on an outdoor patio.
- Ipe is basically a tree that grows in South America. It allows to obtain boards whose wood is of a very dark brown with a singular veining. Its price is high, because the demand is very high. It therefore becomes difficult to cultivate it.
- The cumaru, an essence originating in Brazil, is a very good alternative to ipe, because it has much the same characteristics. It is nevertheless more affordable. Aesthetically, it can offer light to dark browns tending towards yellow or red.
- The massaranduba is a tree that is also native to South America. It has a class 5 and is resistant to salt water, so it is often found by the sea. Its color is mainly a reddish brown. This is the hardest gasoline you can find on the market.
Composite wood
The wood market also offers composite wood deck boards. This type of wood is made from a mixture of wood and plastic resin. It is very resistant to insects, rotting and climatic hazards. Well maintained, this wood, which is not quite one, can last around twenty years. However, a distinction should be made between two types of composite wood slats:
- hollow blades : they are cheaper, lighter, but also less resistant, because water can infiltrate into the cells, which can accelerate their damage;
- full blades : they are more expensive, but also more resistant.
Composite wood is available in different colors. It is possible to buy it in shades of gray or in different shades of brown.
Other treatments for wood
As we have mentioned, some wood species are subjected to a chemical treatment to improve their resistance, but there are other solutions.
THT wood
It is a high temperature treated wood. Indeed, it is heated in an oven between 200 and 270 °. At the same time, water vapor is injected. Thus, it loses its capacity to absorb water, which will allow it to be used outdoors. It is a more ecological solution than the chemical treatments that other woods must undergo. The result is a wood with a very attractive camel color.
Rectified wood
No chemicals are used here, it is simply a matter of using the action of heat to obtain a stable and durable wood. It is a completely natural solution which is used on local species. Outdoors, we can thus use pine, ash after grinding.
Blades or slabs?
Tiles are an alternative that is more suitable for small spaces. Their advantage is that they are easy to transport and install. When it comes to fitting out a balcony, they can fit into the elevator and easily be adapted to the space. For their installation, it suffices to assemble them by fitting them together and to place them on a geotextile or on studs.
The blades have a length generally between 210 mm and 240 mm. However, you can find it up to 400mm. For the width, you have the choice between 90 and 200 mm. Some models of slats have a difference between their two faces: on the front, grooves and on the back, a smooth appearance. This has the advantage, at the time of installation, of leaving you the choice between two possibilities of aspect of the surface of your terrace.