Wooden decking boards | Ipé, Red Cumaru, Garapa, Bangkiri, Larch, Douglas fir and many more

Kaiser Parquet offers these types of wood as terrace boards

• Douglas fir
• siberian larch
• Garapa
• Cumaru
• Ipé
• Bangkirai
• Thermo ash

Hardwood, softwood or thermowood?

Hardwoods have a particularly dense structure and are therefore heavier than the other types of wood. This also makes them more resistant and durable. They are usually darker in colour and therefore look noble. Bangkirai, for example, is one of them.

Advantages of hardwoods

• very good weathering resistance
• high life expectancy
• very resistant to fungal and insect attack
• Low shrinkage and swelling behaviour
• high dimensional stability, the planks do not warp
• high load capacity

Disadvantages of hardwoods

• More difficult to machine, for example pre-drilling is necessary
• since they grow more slowly than coniferous woods, they have a worse ecological balance

Softwoods, such as the Siberian larch, have a less dense structure and are therefore lighter than hardwoods. They are also cheaper.

Advantages of softwoods

• Due to the high resin content they are weather resistant
• easy to work on
• are easy to paint
• as they grow faster, they have a better ecological balance than hardwoods
• cheaper than hardwoods

Disadvantages of softwoods

• are not so resistant to fungal and insect attack
• less durable than hardwoods
• can crack or splinter quickly
• the floorboards often have knotholes
• due to the high resin content, resin may leak out

Thermowood, for example thermo-ash, is a type of wood whose properties have been improved by heat treatment.

Advantages of thermowood

• lower sensitivity to weather conditions
• higher resistance to pest infestation
• warps less than softwood
• no resin leakage
• higher service life
• the colour becomes darker, which looks more noble

Disadvantages of thermowood

• becomes brittle over time, which can lead to tearing and splintering of the planks
• has a worse load-bearing capacity than the other woods
• in the initial period, rain can wash paint out of the thermowood

How long does a wooden terrace last?

The answer to this question depends mainly on the type of wood used. Wood species are divided into so-called durability classes. They indicate the resistance of the wood species to wood-destroying organisms. For terraces you should only use wood species of durability classes one to three. Class one is the most resistant. Class three woods last 10 to 15 years, depending on weather conditions and other stresses. These include hardwoods such as Douglas fir. Class two wood types, such as Bangkirai, last between 15 and 25 years. Ipé, on the other hand, belongs to class one. Planks from these species last for more than 25 years.

What influences the lifespan of a wooden terrace?

The most important factor besides the type of wood used is the correct construction of the terrace, especially the substructure. The substructure can also be made of wood or aluminium. In the case of a wooden substructure, the type of wood used must have at least the same durability class as the type of wood used for the planks.

What is constructive wood preservation?

This means the best possible ventilation of the terrace construction. This allows water to run off and prevents waterlogging. Therefore, the terrace should have a slope of 1% to 2% away from the building. The substructure must always be installed with a certain distance to the substrate. When installing the terrace, it must also be taken into account that the wooden planks swell or shrink due to weathering. Therefore, you should observe the specified distances between the planks. This will allow them to swell and shrink undisturbed. For this reason, a distance to fixed components, such as walls, must also be maintained.

How to maintain the wooden terrace properly

Usually a broom is sufficient for cleaning the terrace. However, you should carry out a basic cleaning of the wooden terrace at least once a year, preferably in spring. This will remove stubborn dirt, algae and moss. You will need water and a patio cleaner for this. You can also find corresponding products on the website of Parkett Kaiser. Mix the cleaner in the mopping water according to the instructions and use a soft brush to spread it. Then rinse with plenty of water. If you want to use a high-pressure cleaner for this purpose, you should keep a distance of at least 30 cm from the floorboard surface. All types of wood turn grey with time. Many patio owners appreciate the grey patina that develops in this way. If you do not like this, you can treat the planks with a colour oil after basic cleaning.