Types of Wood
Hello,
There are many types of wood that you can use for a terrace floor.
Among all the tropical woods, for me, overexploitation, illegal logging, etc. are a no-go. Splinters cannot be avoided with any wood, and especially tropical woods sometimes contain substances that can cause irritation up to inflammation. (Even with wenge, although that really isn’t suitable as terrace wood, many carpenters have gained their experience). Often the dyes are not considered, which are washed out by rainwater and thus lead to unsightly discolorations on substructures or through splash water on the often white wall. In terms of durability, tropical woods do achieve higher values. With appropriate constructive wood protection, however, such “lifespans” can also be achieved with our native woods such as larch, oak, and robinia. Tropical woods are only used because every hobby DIYer with a jigsaw thinks they can build a terrace. Due to such hobbyists without knowledge of constructive wood protection, native wood has gotten a bad reputation for not lasting long. Then imported tropical wood is used that is supposedly much more durable. I find it even better when these woods are called eco-friendly.
Here in this country, we have been practicing sustainable forestry for years; according to statistics, more wood grows back than we harvest. Where our oh-so-good terrace wood comes from, an area the size of a football field is sometimes cleared just to really use one tree. Put bluntly, one might not care about that, but these primeval forests are also like the green lungs of our Earth, not only habitats for millions of animals, many of which are endangered. These trees also filter the air in our atmosphere; they bind the carbon from CO2 and give us back the vital oxygen. The number of people on Earth is increasing, that is indisputable, so is the number of CO2 producers, not to mention the increasing industrial CO2 producers. At the same time, due to demand not only for tropical wood, the area that binds CO2 is decreasing. In other words, the CO2 content in the air is increasing. The greenhouse effect, climate change, etc. are currently on everyone’s lips. To put it bluntly: with the demand for tropical wood for one’s terrace, one promotes, out of laziness to think about constructive wood protection with native wood, climate change. As written, expressed in exaggeration. But this mainly targets the pseudo-ecos who build an allegedly ECO terrace just to join the wooden terrace craze. And the catch of the whole thing is that the terrace will be torn down again in 10-15 years due to lack of liking anyway. Probably even larch, oak or especially robinia would have lasted that long without constructive wood protection. Maybe not quite as visually flawless, but the dismantling would also be easier.
The lifespan of a wooden terrace is extended many times – and that is what I find most important – if it is properly treated. That means you have to oil it thoroughly. Some so-called “experts” still claim that terraces do not need to be impregnated. And because some people follow this clever advice, the terrace wood turns gray/green from weather, hedges, grass, and trees and develops moss! Those who properly oil their terrace, and repeat it every spring, have a low-maintenance and beautiful terrace for years! – The effort of re-oiling in spring is not enormous. Those who don’t want to do it should have it done or forgo a wooden terrace...
Regards, Sepp