You will come across different types of timbers for pergolas and decking, and therefore, selecting the right one can prove to be quite overwhelming in the long run. However, your decision is going to depend on aesthetics to a great extent. In case you are looking for a specific texture or color your options might become somewhat less. Nevertheless, it will not be possible to base your selection of timber deck and timber pergola on appearance alone. As a matter of fact, various types of timber come with significant differences which can play an important role while constructing your pergola or decking. In the subsequent paragraphs, we have mentioned several essential aspects to take into consideration while choosing decking and pergola timbers.
Technically speaking, the terms softwood and hardwood are derived from the fact that whether the seeds are hidden by the trees (for example, in Merbau, Spotted Gum, Jarrah, Mahogany, and so forth) or they are left unguarded so that they are able to fall freely on the ground (for example, pine, cypress, and so on).
In general, softwoods are derived from the evergreen trees while hardwoods are obtained from the deciduous ones. While the growth of hardwood is significantly slower, they are also denser when it comes to structure. As a result, they are likewise more resilient, harder, as well as tougher. At the same time, they are likewise more costly as well.
Consequently, it will be a sensible option to go for hardwood when it comes to choosing timbers for your decks and pergola since they are able to withstand the vagaries of nature and are also long-wearing. As a result, it is not difficult to maintain them which can help you to save a considerable amount of money in the long run. For this reason, you should always go for hardwood while considering timber for your pergola in spite of them being somewhat pricey.
The durability, as well as the structure of the pergola and deck, will depend considerably on the timber's age and also whether it's seasoned or not. Green or unseasoned timber consists of an excessive amount of natural moisture. However, it is going to shrink, warp, and twist once it will lose that moisture in the course of time and this can result in the pergola or deck buckling up thus reducing its lifespan.
For this reason, it will be a sensible idea to make use of seasoned hard timber. Moreover, the timbers are going to shrink on the surface somewhat quickly in case they become dried, and this is going to compress the sub-surface wood which is still full of moisture. This will help to make the wood brittle as well as unstable.
Therefore, it will be imperative to ensure that the timber which is employed for decking and pergola is seasoned for quite some time. This will ensure the fact that the structure of the wood does not contain the slightest amount of moisture. Consequently, you must select a properly seasoned timber for building the pergola and the deck. Otherwise, you should not use it.
The above-mentioned information should be able to explain to you what type of timber you need for your deck and pergola and also for what reason. However, there are also other aspects to take into consideration apart from the ones mentioned earlier.
Here, "H" actually stands for hazard which refers to all the factors affecting the expected lifespan of the timber. This might include the timber's vulnerability to termite and fungal infestation. Therefore, by the term H-Level Treatments, we actually imply the application of chemical substances on timbers for preserving them.
You will come across different assigned timbers such as H1, H2, H3, and so forth, and every single number has been labeled for a particular usage. Moreover, applying fire-resistant chemical substances to timbers is also possible since it helps to make them safe in the long run.
Natural durability ratings are assigned to timbers depending on their natural resistance to stuff such as insects and fungi. This particular rating is actually applicable to the timber's heartwood since the sapwood does not have a decent level of resilience for all the species out there. It is important to bear in mind that it is possible to apply treatments for safeguarding the sapwood only, and not the heartwood. Various species of timber are categorized into as many as 4 classes with the most durable being Class 1. Incidentally, the least durable is Class 4. It is imperative for posts and footings (or anything else which is contacting the ground) to be either Class 1 or Class 2 timber when it comes to durability, with sapwood treated to H5 or removed. On most occasions, pergolas and decks are manufactured from Class 1 or Class 2 timbers while the sapwood will be preservative-treated to H3 or removed. However, on some occasions, durability class 3, as well as Class 4 timbers, might also be used for these purposes.
Your selection of timber will also depend on your location. For instance, in case you are situated in an area which is susceptible to bushfire, it will be sensible to go for timber which satisfies all the local regulations for fire safety. You should also consider the timber's environmental impacts as well. Firstly, although wood brought from overseas are less expensive to purchase, they have to be transported which will incur an environmental expense in terms of the fuel burned while doing so. Similarly, several timbers are often derived from extremely sensitive parts on our planet. Selecting timber which has been locally sourced or which has been derived from certified viable sources will make sure that not a significant amount of damage is caused by you. Otherwise, it will also be a sensible idea to make use of reclaimed or recycled timber. This type of timber is also known to be properly seasoned as well.
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