What is Timber Decking:

Timber is wood that is prepared and treated for building and carpentry.  Timber is wood that has been cut and readied for building and comes in many forms, depending on the look and feel you are needing.  Pine, teak and meranti are some common types of wood we use.  Timber can be used for many building or carpentry needs from decking, pergolas, carports, cladding and much more.

Why use timber for decking?

• Naturally beautiful – wood or timber has a wonderfully natural warmth to it. The natural lines and beauty of the tree is able to be seen and admired
• It’s all in the nose – the smell of the tree can often permeate from the timber, giving an earthy aroma to your home or entertainment area
• The price is right – many types of wood, like pine, are among the most …MORE inexpensive decking material available

The only downside to timber – if you want to see it as such – is that it needs to be treated and maintained regularly to protect it and to avoid it from splitting, cracking or changing colour.  Regular maintenance and correct care should be a part of the package when choosing timber as your decking choice.

What is composite decking?

Composite is a rrecycled product of made of mainly plastic, wood and other materials melted down and merged together.  It is considered a synthetic product and is very environmentally-friendly because of its recycled nature.  Composite is used to create furniture, jungle gyms, outdoor furniture and decking as well.

Why use composite decking?

• Resistant to the elements – composite decking is weather resistant and does stand up well against the elements. It is also stain resistant as well
• Low maintenance – very little maintenance is required for composite and the risk of it splitting or cracking is very minimal.
• Lightweight – composite is very light weight and is easy to maneuver

You do not get the natural beauty, lines and aroma with composite as you do with wood of course.  It is also not resistant to mold or mildew if kept in damp, shady areas.

Conclusion

Of course, the choice between whether to use timber or composite decking is completely up to you and will depend the look and feel you want, the functionality of the deck you are needing, your lifestyle, and your budget.  Both have their good points and both will give you an excellent end result that will last in your home for years to come.

The warmth and beauty of wood is unsurpassed by many other products out there, but what often turns people off is the maintenance of the product.  Gareth McKenzie, owner of McTimber Structures acknowledges that working with wood requires time and patience, but the benefits and beauty of having it in your home is absolutely worth it.

McTimber Structures specialises in timber decking, balustrades, pergolas, staircases, carports, and timber fencing.  Gareth says that wood, if maintained regularly and with the right products, will stay looking beautiful forever.  “When talking maintenance to our clients, we recommend not using just any type of varnish.  We recommend using an oil-based sealer so that the wood will absorb the oil and be nourished.”  adds Gareth.

Sealing and treating the wood in your home should be done every 6 – 8 months.  “For those clients that want to do the maintenance themselves, we give them a clear guide on which products to use and how to do it.  For other clients who are not so hands on, we include regular maintenance into our service to them.” says Gareth.

McTimber Structure’s best tip for homeowners is ‘the more maintenance the better’.  He adds that you ideally want your wood to look as great as it did the day it was installed.  Regular maintenance and proper sealing will ensure that moisture does not get into wood and warp it, or that the wood dries out and becomes brittle from the sun.

McTimber’s Top 5 Woods to have in your Home:

1. Rhodesian Teak – our first choice in decking, outdoor furniture and cladding
2. CCA treated pine – this wood is an all-rounder and can be used for outdoor fencing, pergolas, carports and decking sub-structures
3. Balau – a divine wood best used for decking cladding
4. Massaranduba – an unusual wood best for decking cladding
5. Meranti – another great all-rounder best used for pergolas, balustrades, decking and balconies

The reality is, the world is a consumer driven one. In the USA in 2010, plastics represented 12.4 percent of the total of municipal solid waste collected, whereas in 1960 plastics only represented 1 percent. In South Africa just under 1.1million tons of plastic waste was sent to our landfills in 2014.

We consume more and more each day and most of it is packaged and sold in some form of plastic container or tube. Think of your milk bottles, water bottles, cleaning product bottles, face creams, roll-ons, shampoo’s and more – everything is packaged in plastic!

These huge statistics make the need for recycling plastic waster all the greater. Recycled plastic furniture is meeting this need in a very exciting, functional and sustainable way. Recycled plastic furniture is made using recycled plastics of all kinds such as bottle caps, milk bottles, cosmetic tubes and tubs which are recycled, broken down and rebuilt into custom made pieces. The process is low impact on the environment and because each piece is made from 100% recycled plastic, it makes it completely eco-friendly and green.

All the more reason to recycle properly in your own home, you could be sitting on it later!

“Recycled plastic furniture is maintenance free, has a very long lifespan, is resistant to moisture, and is incredibly durable and hard-wearing especially in our harsh South African summers. I work with the beauty and intricacy of wood as well, but nothing can beat the ease and durability of this range. It’s long-lasting and has superb functionality.” says Gareth McKenzie of McTimber Structures.

Interesting Fact:

A very positive statistic from PlasticsSA’s 2014 survey results – 1.4million tons of plastics from domestic production and imported materials were converted in South Africa in 2014. Hopefully our recycled furniture had something to do with that conversion success rate!