{"id":548,"date":"2017-04-12T15:34:30","date_gmt":"2017-04-12T14:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.edecks.co.uk\/blog\/?p=548"},"modified":"2025-06-20T08:37:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T07:37:06","slug":"softwood-decking-is-it-right-for-your-deck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edecks.co.uk\/blog\/decking-advice\/softwood-decking-is-it-right-for-your-deck\/","title":{"rendered":"Softwood Decking \u2013 Is it right for your deck?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Softwood decking has a lot going for it \u2013 it’s cheaper, easier to work with<\/strong> and when it’s treated well it can last for many years<\/strong>. So why would anyone choose anything else? It’s simple really \u2013 each type of decking material comes with its own set of pros and cons, and therefore different materials are better suited to different garden decks.<\/p>\n

Before you take the leap and <\/strong>buy softwood decking<\/strong><\/a> though, here\u2019s a few things you should consider.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Softwood decking doesn\u2019t usually last<\/em> as long as hardwood or composite materials.<\/h2>\n

Softwood decking is made from trees that grow very quickly, which produces a wood that is \u2018softer\u2019 because its structure is less dense than a hardwood. The most common softwoods come from evergreen conifers like pine or spruce.<\/p>\n

Because the wood is less dense to begin with, it can degrade faster than a hardwood<\/strong> so some people choose hardwood over softwood for decking simply as it will be exposed to the elements and may not last as long. However<\/strong>, if you choose a pressure treated wood and maintain your deck well with appropriate <\/strong>decking oils and protective treatments<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> a softwood deck can last an incredibly<\/em> long time too \u2013 up to 40 years in some cases.<\/p>\n

Maintenance is important for softwood decking<\/h2>\n

If you want your softwood deck to last, you need<\/em> to maintain it properly. Softwood should be thoroughly cleaned twice a year to ensure it lasts,<\/strong> applying proper cleaning solutions<\/a>, wood preservative<\/a> and decking oils<\/a> as needed (usually annually, but dependant on weather and traffic conditions for your deck). If you\u2019d like extra protection for your deck, you can easily build roofing over your deck using polycarbonate sheets<\/a> to prevent water damage.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s cheaper than other materials<\/h2>\n

Softwood tends to be much cheaper than hardwood<\/strong>, simply because it grows much faster and so is much cheaper to produce. That being said, if you would prefer a lower maintenance option, hardwood can be a cheaper option over time. Hardwood decking has known to last over 40 years, although pressure treated softwood can last just as long if it\u2019s treated well. Left untreated<\/strong>, softwood decking can last between 10 to 15 years, so over time hardwood can<\/em> be a more economical material.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s much<\/em> easier to build with<\/h2>\n

A huge advantage of softwood vs. hardwood is that it’s a lot easier to build with.<\/strong> Hardwood isn’t impossible to work with \u2013 just harder than softwood, so some less confident DIYers prefer to work with softwood. If you want to use hardwood but are a bit nervous \u2013 you can always call us for expert advice on how to install it on 0844 474 4444.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check the colour before you buy (but don\u2019t panic if you can\u2019t find it)<\/h2>\n

Softwood tends to come in a light yellow colour and fades to grey after weathering if it’s left untreated<\/strong>. If you prefer a darker wood colour though, don’t be completely put off softwood \u2013 you can use a <\/strong>wood stain or paint<\/strong><\/a> during treatment to get the colour you want <\/strong>without having to compromise on price.<\/p>\n

They can be a bit more environmentally friendly<\/h2>\n

Hardwood trees take many years to grow, and as softwood are quickly replaceable, some people view it as more environmentally friendly to choose softwoods for building these days<\/strong>. However, if you\u2019d like a hardwood deck but don\u2019t want to harm the environment, don\u2019t panic<\/strong> \u2013 simply check that your supplier is offering wood that has been FSC certified<\/strong> (Forestry Stewardship Council<\/a>) to ensure it has come from a sustainable source. Luckily, all of the woods offered at eDecks are FSC certified<\/strong> \u2013 so you can rest assured you\u2019ve made an eco-friendly purchase.<\/p>\n

Before you buy your softwood decking from just anywhere<\/em> online, you might be interested to know that here at eDecks you can expect:<\/p>\n

Super fast FREE delivery on orders over \u00a3100<\/strong>*<\/p>\n

48 Hour delivery<\/strong> on many products<\/p>\n

ONLY FSC certified sustainable wood products<\/strong><\/p>\n

Handy FREE installation guides<\/strong> (and even instructional videos!)<\/p>\n

Incredible prices on all of our decking materials<\/strong><\/p>\n

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge unfortunately \u2013 please check the eDecks website<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Softwood decking has a lot going for it \u2013 it’s cheaper, easier to work with and when it’s treated well it can last for many years. So why would anyone choose anything else? It’s simple really \u2013 each type of decking material comes with its own set of pros and cons, and therefore different materials […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":549,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\r\nSoftwood Decking \u2013 Is it right for your deck? - eDecks Blog<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Softwood decking has a lot going for it \u2013 it's cheaper, easier to work with and when it's treated well it can last for many years.\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.edecks.co.uk\/blog\/decking-advice\/softwood-decking-is-it-right-for-your-deck\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Softwood Decking \u2013 Is it right for your deck? 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