Tropical wood decks: a wise choice to combine strength and aesthetics

1. THE UNIQUE PERFORMANCE OF TROPICAL WOOD FOR DECKING

With its extreme resistance to wear and weather, the majority of tropical woods are also rot-proof, insensitive to frost, rain and insects, as well as chlorine or sea water... therefore perfect for outdoor use, all without any chemical treatment!

If we compare the amount of investment required to build a terrace (materials and labor), its durability (several decades, due, among other things, to its excellent dimensional stability) and its ease of maintenance, tropical wood offers the best value for money.

Other advantages : tropical wood is also popular for its “comfort” benefits: pleasant softness for walking barefoot, absence of splinters in the majority of species, covering which “does not heat up” in the sun, etc.

2. A WARM AESTHETIC, WITH A THOUSAND AND ONE REFLECTIONS!

The aesthetics of tropical wood are matched by its performance, with a wide range of species*, aspects, veins, grains and shades. From intense red (Padouk) to deep brown (Merbau), including orange (Moabi) and yellow (Badi), the resources offered by tropical wood are numerous!

It is worth noting that the grain and elegance of Ipé, Massaranduba and Cumaru, which are currently very fashionable, make them very popular solutions for terraces.

*tropical wood is hundreds of different species, varieties and shades, to find THE style that matches your tastes! We will remember for the species most commonly used in terraces: Afrormosia, Badi, Bankirai, Cumaru, Ipé, Itauba, Massaranduba, Merbau, Moabi, Muiracatiara, Mukulungu, Padouk, Tali, Teak, etc.

Like all solid woods, the action of time and bad weather leaves a natural graying of the wood: expected and desired by some, others will prefer to preserve the original aesthetic of the species by applying a degreaser and/or a saturator.

3. BUYING ADVICE FROM THE LCB PROS

Given the wealth of this offer, LCB professionals provide some key points to consider when purchasing a tropical wood deck:

■ Beyond aesthetics, take into account the durability class (from 1 to 4) to determine whether the wood is suitable for creating an outdoor terrace;

■ Use only seasoned woods, showing good stability and less shrinkage or variation of the boards;

■ Lay tropical wood slats on joists of the same species or density for perfect uniformity;

■ Prefer installation using stainless steel screws. If you are considering using invisible clips, only select wood species that are very dry and stable to avoid any inconvenience;

■ Consider your region of residence and the terrace's exposure area. A terrace in the PACA region will not require the same precautions as a seafront esplanade in Brittany.