Decking Boards
PRODUCT CATEGORIES
When you buy decking boards online, chances are that the material has already passed through many hands. It has been imported and then repackaged and sold again with profit margin added at every stage. This is not the case with us here at UK Oak - because we saw, dry and machine our decking at our sawmill for over 20 years. Ordering your boards from us is ordering it directly from the manufacturer.
There are two reasons why this is important. First of all, it guarantees consistency of quality because we control each stage of the process, from harvesting of the timber; to the final production of the deck board. Secondly, it saves your money because you do not pay for the chain of importers, dealers ...
When you buy decking boards online, chances are that the material has already passed through many hands. It has been imported and then repackaged and sold again with profit margin added at every stage. This is not the case with us here at UK Oak - because we saw, dry and machine our decking at our sawmill for over 20 years. Ordering your boards from us is ordering it directly from the manufacturer.
There are two reasons why this is important. First of all, it guarantees consistency of quality because we control each stage of the process, from harvesting of the timber; to the final production of the deck board. Secondly, it saves your money because you do not pay for the chain of importers, dealers and retailers involved in the production. You pay only for the timber.
We produce decking boards in four main types, each designed for different budget, aesthetic needs and functionality. There are no universal solutions in the world of deck boards. Your choice of species depends on the type of the construction and its design as well as on your future intentions.
European Oak — Quercus Premium
This is the top class decking material. Our range of Quercus boards comes in 20mm (standard) and 26mm (heavy) thickness and is machined from air-dried European oak with 145mm board width. The tight grain, warm honey brown color that silvers with UV exposure and natural hardness make it able to withstand traffic for years to come.
European oak does not require any kind of chemical treatment to withstand the elements. It contains tannins that provide it with the necessary resistance to decay. When left untreated outside, oak silvers gradually during 18-24 months. Alternatively, annual coating with decking oil keeps it in its original condition. Anyway, you get a decking surface that will last at least twice or thrice longer than pressure-treated softwood.
British Larch and Douglas Fir — Larix Premium
The British-grown softwood species. The Larix range is our best selling decking boards because it provides a good compromise between performance and price. It is available in three thickness options: 21mm light (for installation on solid sub-frames), 28mm standard and 33mm for spans over 600mm centers or heavy duty construction.
Natural resinous softwood species with double the durability of standard pine. Colour variation is remarkable — red, pink, creamy, golden depending on the part of the tree a particular board was cut from. Each deck constructed of Larix boards looks unique because of the natural coloring. The color will fade with the age, but the boards will be sound.
Available in 100mm and 125mm widths and 1200mm — 6000mm in length. The boards are reversible and can be flipped over when the front side is exposed to uneven weathering.
Thermowood — Ignis Premium
Thermowood is the name of the heat-treated timber. The process of kiln heating removes moisture and resin from the wood completely changing its structure. The result is a board that doesn't move due to the humidity changes, resists decay without any chemical treatment and boasts the rich caramel-brown color right from the kiln.
Ignis thermowood boards are produced in two thickness options: 21mm (light) for use over solid existing sub-frames and 28mm for standard joist spacings. We offer them in 120mm and 145mm widths and up to 4800mm lengths. If you have experienced troubles with traditional deck boards' movement, warping or lifting at the edges — thermowood is for you. It boasts significantly improved dimensional stability compared to the standard kiln dried timber.
Pressure Treated Redwood — Presura Premium
The entry-level variant and still quite a decent option. This is Nordic redwood decking pressure treated to the UC4 specification in 21mm and 28mm thicknesses. It is the cheapest product in our range and even though it is not as fancy as "premium" treated decking that is usually offered by DIY stores. It is available in 120mm and 145mm widths.
Decking Tiles — The No-Subframe Option
When you install deck over an existing hard surface such as concrete patio or roof terrace or balcony, our deck tiles allow to have the solid timber surface without any groundworks. Available in packs of four in oak and British larch/Douglas fir.
600mm x 600mm oak tiles provide you with a solid hardwood deck over any flat surface. The larch/Douglas fir tiles of the same size are available at reduced cost. All of these tiles are easy to mount onto the surface without joists or subframe.
Importance of Thickness Choice
Here is where buying decking properly pays off. 21mm standard decking boards are alright for close joist spacings (400mm centers) over solid and level sub-frames. If your joist spacing is 600mm centers (that is rather common for DIY projects) you need 28mm minimum. For wider spans, 33mm will provide the necessary rigidity of the board.
We offer three thickness options precisely for this reason. Not in order to upsell you, but because mounting 21mm boards over 600mm joist spacing is how decks become bouncy and flexible within first season.
Decking is not cheap and timber looks differently on the pictures than in hand. That is why we offer you free deck board samples. You can order samples of any type of boards before placing the full order. You will see the real grain, the color and the final profile before committing yourself to a full deck.
Check the products above, select the species and thickness, place the order and it will be delivered to you. The lead time is usually 5-10 working days. In addition, you will find all the other items required for the construction, including joists, screws, treatments, etc. in the other sections.
Questions about which boards suit your specific project? Call 01536 267107 or email sales@uk-oak.co.uk. We’ve been machining decking timber for over 20 years — we’ll give you a straight answer.
What is the difference between 21mm, 28mm and 33mm decking boards?
Thickness determines how much boards can span between the joists before getting flexible. 21mm boards are suitable for installation over close joist spacings (400mm centers). 28mm will handle standard joist spacing of 600mm without problems. 33mm is needed if you have wider spans, commercial application or just need maximum rigidity. Don't guess — if your joists are at 600mm centers, use 28mm minimum.
Is it necessary to treat oak decking?
No. European oak contains tannins that protect it from decay without any chemical treatment. You can apply oil to keep its honey brown color and prolong the life. Anyway, it will not decay as easily as pressure-treated softwood once the preservative is gone.
What is thermowood and why is it more expensive?
Thermowood is a heat-treated timber. The process of kiln treatment without any chemicals removes moisture and resin from the core of the wood. The wood becomes dramatically more stable and durable and this is why it is more expensive. The extra price comes because the heat treatment process requires more effort and energy. But in the tough conditions (coastal location, under tree canopies, north exposure) thermowood performs better.
Is it possible to use these decking boards on the flat roof terrace?
If you want to construct the deck on the flat roof terrace or balcony with the waterproofing layer below, use the decking tiles. They are mounted directly on the existing surface without any sub-frame. For those terraces where you are going to build a sub-frame, the standard boards are applicable.
How long does the British larch decking last?
If installed properly, British larch decking will serve you for 20-25 years before you need to replace it. Due to the natural resin content, it is much more durable than standard pine. UV-protective oil can be applied in the first weeks after installation to preserve the original color and provide additional surface protection.
Do your boards come pre-oiled or pre-treated?
Our oak and larch/Douglas fir boards are untreated — you can choose how to finish it. Thermowood boards are delivered as they come from the kiln treatment process — no additional treatment is necessary or recommended. Presura pressure-treated redwood boards come with pre-applied preservative in the UC4 specification.
Is it possible to get boards in non-standard lengths?
We deliver our boards in standard lengths from 1200mm up to 6000mm depending on the type of the species. This range is wide enough to be able to fit most of the deck constructions. If you need some special sizes, please let us know and we will try to fulfill your request with the cutting charge.
What gap should I leave between decking boards?
The gap of 5-6 mm between the boards when installing fresh sawn or air-dried boards allows to accommodate the natural expansion. For thermowood (which expands very little) the gap of 3-4 mm is enough. Do not ever install boards tightly to each other — they will lift because of expansion.
