Ipe
Ipe decking is popular and for a good reason too, remaining our number one pick for hardwood decking. With luxury properties, its superior strength and durability make it ideal for external use. Typically, we source stock that is kiln-dried to 15 – 18%, enough to get rid of the free water, hardening the cell walls and making it more brittle and resistant to change. With a high density averaging of 1,000kg/m3, Ipe is resilient, decay resistant with a superior longevity rating of 50 – 75 years. Sourced in South America, all our Ipe is FSC Certified meaning its sourced from responsibly managed forests. Since natural wood varies in colour, the tones of Ipe boards generally tend to range between mid to dark brown. Ipe is among the hardest timbers available, rated at the highest D70 strength rating, and its these excellent properties that make it one of the priciest decking materials on the market, the most expensive in our range. If working on a large project where cladding or fencing is in play, we recommend pairing it with Western Red Cedar.

Yellow Balau
Sourced from Indonesia, Yellow Balau is our cheapest, top selling, quality hardwood decking. One of its best qualities being its very competitively priced, generally viewed as a budget alternative to Ipe. So, if cost is a big determining factor for your project, this might be the one for you. Like Ipe, our stock is typically kiln-dried to 14 – 18%, and while it’s also a very hardwearing and durable hardwood, it has a density average of 980kg/m3 with a high D50 strength rating. This hardwood is also decay resistant with a longevity of 25 – 50 years. We also stock a selection of Yellow Balau that is FSC Certified, while the rest is SLVK Certified which ensures the timber was sourced legally. Its colouring is typically lighter than Ipe, generally a golden, honey brown with the occasional lighter and darker boards. Similarly to Ipe, it also matches perfectly with Western Red Cedar, or you might find with the lighter colouring it goes nicely with cladding and fencing options like Siberian Larch or Douglas Fir. Better yet, we actually stock Yellow Balau P.A.R. fencing battens, so you could complete an entire project with just Yellow Balau alone at a very budget-friendly cost.

Jatoba
Also known as the Brazilian Cherry Wood, Jatoba is famous for its beautiful pink to red colours along with its light brown appearance. Cheaper than Ipe, but slightly pricier than Yellow Balau, the Jatoba hardwood is extremely durable, decay resistant, and is kiln dried to 14 – 16% for greater stability. Density is high with an average weight of 940kg/m3 and will last anywhere between 25 and 50 years. Sourced and machined in South America, all our stock of Jatoba is FSC Certified and there’s an extremely low volume of natural defects, so there’s less need to factor in wastage when ordering this product. Jatoba has typically been used for internal wood flooring for decades but its an excellent choice for exterior decking. We believe it pairs well with Western Red Cedar cladding or fencing as the pinkish hint in both timbers is almost identical!

Iroko
This timber is sourced from Africa and due to its upbringing surrounded by intense heat, wind and tropical rain, Iroko is considered to be superior in its natural resistance to insects, pests and decay. It’s another durable hardwood with a density of 660kg/m3, and like all our other hardwood timbers, its extremely strong and stable with a lifespan average of 50 years. Imported to the UK as dimension-cut sawn boards in a kiln-dried state, the board itself has a multidirectional grain which can be challenging during the procurement process. It’s because of this that we recommend a minimum of 15% wastage to be factored into your order when purchasing Iroko. This timber consists of a luxurious golden brown, giving a real tropical feel to it, so you might find it pairs nicely with other exotic timbers like Thermo Ayous. In fact, just like Yellow Balau, we stock Iroko P.A.R. fencing so you can complete an entire project with the one timber. In terms of pricing, you’ll find this decking material to be on the high end of the price range, not particularly suitable for those working with a budget.

Hidden fix or face fix?
Another factor that may determine which decking to purchase is whether you want to use hidden fixings or screw through the face. For those who don’t know, hidden fix is a system where the boards are grooved on the sides so the fixings can be hidden between the boards, meaning there’s no need to screw through the face during installation. It’s a good solution for those who like the idea of a clean, smooth finish to enhance visual appeal. If this is you, then you’ll want to shop primarily through Ipe and Jatoba as these are the only ones we stock with the option of grooved sides for hidden fixings. But before you make this decision, it might be a good idea to read through one of our previous articles, The Definitive Guide To Hidden Fixings, as this will tell you everything you need to know about the pros and cons of using a hidden fix system. You’ll also be happy to know that we’re the largest UK seller of Spax Stainless Steel Decking Screws, which can be used together with other decking accessories like the Spax Step Drill and Spax Decking Spacers. So whichever way you decide to fit your decking, everything you need is available with us, in one place.

Hopefully these small comparisons have been helpful in making your choice, knowing there’s different benefits to each and every one of our decking materials. Make sure you read through the detailed descriptions we’ve provided on each product page, but if you require further assistance in making your decision, get in touch, we’re here to help.

Let’s discover which decking is right for you together!