From inspiration to execution, decking designs require a focus on crucial factors like aesthetics, feel, and longevity. Beyond the paper planning, valuable resources such as decking project portfolios, photo galleries, and tangible wood samples help transform your next deck project from "Great" to "Wow!" This article explores key resources, tailored for architects and deck designers, to help you achieve a deck that will stop them in their tracks.
Above, the deep brown color range of FSC Machiche hardwood was chosen to create a warm contrast to the contemporary cement hardscaping and stairs.
The look and quality of the wood decking material you choose can make or break the look and durability of a completed decking project. Start your decking journey with a variety of design ideas for home and commercial decks. Whether crafting a single-level sanctuary, a multi-level masterpiece, or a rooftop resort, these professional resources can help you throughout the deck design process.
Touch and Feel: Sensory Experience with Wood Decking
Immerse yourself in the tactile benefits of real wood, a crucial aspect for architects and home builders alike. Discover the profound difference between viewing a photo online and experiencing the texture in person.
Why seeing and feeling actual wood decking samples is important:
A significant part of designing with real wood is the wide variation in natural patterns and color in the same species. Wood samples can offer you a much better idea of a wood’s strength, weight, texture, and grain than just a photo can.
However, it is important to remember that a small sample of real wood will not convey the full and beautiful color range and grain patterns of the overall project.
This is especially true when you choose a hardwood, with its high density fiber strength. The advantage to using high-density hardwoods goes beyond the natural strength and resilience.
The Visual Impact of Real Wood Decking
Different wood species offer diverse influences on your overall design, providing owners, architects, and home builders with unparalleled deck design versatility.
That same natural wood impact makes your project a masterpiece for the home or building owner.
- For low clearance and single level decks, both ThermaWood Hemlock and hardwood decking give you a significantly higher resistance, over cedar, treated pine, and other softwoods, to moisture damage like mold and rot, and insect damage. For low clearance decks, thermally modified hemlock offers additional stability (less likely to expand and shrink with moisture extremes) than all other wood decking options.
- For multi-level decks, there is a big advantage thermally modified woods and hardwoods. They all have high natural resistance to rot, decay and insect damage and give your completed design longevity. This is especially helpful with multiple activity areas like outdoor structures. Think dining pergola or built in seating. This is because thermally modified wood and hardwoods naturally minimize your maintenance versus woods like Western Red Cedar and Redwood. There is also a big upfront cost savings compared to Cedar, in both price and availability.
A multi-level dining and entertaining space shows off it's strength and beauty after the rain. Hardwoods were use on both decks and the soffit below the second floor deck.
Want more decking photos and inspiration? Download 63 pages with over 150 photos here,
"The 150+ Deck Design Ideas eBook"
- For rooftop decks, the benefits of hardwoods over softwoods are many. As a matter of fact, softwoods are not recommended for rooftop decking since they are more susceptible to the extreme UV and weather conditions they are exposed to. Softwoods require more maintenance and have a shorter lifetime use in your rooftop deck project. Hardwood offers durability and resilience that leads to a long lifetime use and good looks that stay like new.
A rooftop poolside deck created with Ipe hardwood with outdoor shower, built in shelving and seating
Image Inspiration: Galleries and Portfolios
While a small decking sample piece provides a glimpse, get a better overall vision of the final project by visiting our decking project galleries. View full-scale projects, showcasing the natural grain and color variations for a more comprehensive visual understanding. Here's important resource links of interest:
See the Hardwood Deck Project Photo Gallery
Check out a Comparison of Wood Decking Materials
Download the Deck Design Ideas Portfolio
Download the Rooftop Deck Design Ideas Portfolio
Download the Deck Design Ideas Portfolio
Real hardwood not only has higher resilience, but feels softer and more comfortable under bare feet poolside.
Wood Decking Options and Resources
There are many premium, sustainable options for real wood decking. This includes high-density hardwoods like: Ipe wood, FSC Machiche, Cumaru, Garapa, and Jatoba (a/k/a Brazilian Cherry).
Plus ThermaWood Hemlock, a thermally modified wood. It is also available in fire retardant treated, ThermaWood FR.
All Mataverde wood decking material is sustainably and responsible harvested.
Each of these remarkable wood species possess unique characteristics, ensuring a personalized touch for your decking project.
"It is important to remember that a small sample of real wood will not convey the full and beautiful color range and grain patterns of the overall project."
Ipe Wood
- With classic medium to dark brown hues, this hardwood stands out for its exceptional toughness and density.
- It serves as the benchmark for comparing all other wood decking options.
- Renowned for its durability, it has become the go-to choice for decking projects, displaying outstanding resistance to fungi, decay, and termites.
- This enduring strength has solidified its popularity for wood decking across a range of project styles and locations.
RELATED RESOURCES:
Ipe Wood Decking Project Photo Gallery
10 Problems with Ipe Decking You Should Know About
A stunning Ipe rooftop deck shows off the range of brown tones (photo courtesy of @tog-nyc.com)
Jatoba Wood
- Lovely pinkish to reddish-brown tones, intensifying with UV exposure, characterize this hardwood.
- Also referred to as Brazilian Cherry, Jatoba is a robust and durable exterior hardwood, recognized for its toughness and density, frequently substituting for Ipe hardwood.
- It boasts outstanding resistance to fungi, moisture, rot, mold, and insects.
- Its durability and resilience against wear and tear have made it a popular for both commercial and residential projects.
RELATED RESOURCES:
Jatoba Wood Decking Information
Jatoba Wood Decking Project Photo Gallery
Jatoba Wood Decking Chosen for a Historic Landmark Resort
Jatoba balcony deck at a landmark resort is aesthetically pleasing for guests and low maintenance even with commercial use.
There's more decking information in here! Download the PDF now,
"The Ultimate Guide to Selecting The Right Decking"
Garapa Wood
- Featuring a natural range of light to medium golden brown tones, this hardwood brings a brighter color range to decking compared to other hardwoods.
- Well-known for being a budget-friendly option with characteristics similar to Ipe, it stands out for its exceptional resistance to fungi, decay, insects, and rot.
- Making it an ideal choice for decking, it combines affordability with durability for outdoor spaces that withstand the test of time.
RELATED RESOURCES:
Garapa Wood Decking Information
Garapa Wood Decking Project Photo Gallery
How Does Ipe Decking Compare to Garapa Wood Decking?
Garapa multi-level deck with built in seating and planters makes a beautiful and durable space
Cumaru Wood
- Cumaru consists entirely of heartwood, with a color spectrum ranging from yellow-brown to reddish-brown, with a hint of purplish hues.
- It shares comparable resilience and fiber-dense characteristics to Ipe hardwood.
- Noted for its exceptional resistance to fungi, decay, and termites, Cumaru boasts durability, resilience, and a high tolerance to wear and tear.
RELATED RESOURCES:
Cumaru Wood Decking Information
Cumaru Wood Decking Project Photo Gallery
Cumaru Decking Vs. Synthetic Decking
An completed Cumaru decking project, above, showing off the beautiful color variations and grain patterns.
FSC® Machiche Wood
- Exclusively composed of heartwood, FSC Machiche displays colors ranging from light to reddish-brown and medium chocolate brown, making it a versatile choice for decking.
- It is sustainably harvested and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ensuring environmentally responsible sourcing. (Other Mataverde hardwood decking species are also available FSC Certified.)
- The toughness and fiber density of Machiche create a remarkable resistance to insect damage, rot, mold, and decay.
RELATED RESOURCES:
Machiche Wood Decking Information
Machiche Wood Decking Project Photo Gallery
Buy Machiche Wood and Help Save The Forests
A rooftop deck with a view of the Bay Area, above, was created with FSC Machiche wood to contrast with the cement and glass railings.
ThermaWood and ThermaWood FR
- ThermaWood boasts a heat-deepened medium to dark brown color range.
- Mataverde ThermaWood thermally modified wood undergoes a patented process of steam and heat in a pressure kiln.
- It surpasses kiln-dried lumber in strength, flexibility, and reduced brittleness.
- Additionally, it comes in ThermaWood FR, a fire-retardant-treated lumber certified by IWUI.
- Thermally modified wood is an excellent alternative to hardwood
- With outstanding resistance to fungi, decay, and termites, its durability has established it as a favored choice for many decking applications.
RELATED RESOURCES:
ThermaWood Decking Information
Introducing ThermaWood FR Fire Retardant Treated Decking
ThermaWood Decking Project Photo Gallery
What Is Thermally Modified Wood Decking?
Real wood harmonizes with nature and ThermaWood FR, fire retardant treated wood decking, (above), does just that.
In your decking project, seeing is believing – from design conception to material selection. Take the first step in transforming your vision into reality with the tangible experience of real wood decking samples. Questions? Contact our team, we're ready to help.
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