When it comes to a home deck, nothing beats the look and feel of timber. Aluminium and various forms of plastic can be very durable, but they may also detract from the look of your home, and not feel very comfortable underfoot. Aluminium may also hold heat, making it uncomfortable during the hottest of summer days. If you're thinking of making your own deck, or working with a contractor to create a deck for your home, note a quick guide to choosing the right timber type for your space.

Pine

Pine is very affordable, making it a popular choice for timber decking. It's easy to cut and fabricate, so you don't need many specialty tools to create a pine deck. Pine is also readily available, so you may not run into supply issues when you need to repair or replace a slat or post on the deck. Pine also holds a paint and stain colour well, so you can easily touch up the appearance of your deck over the years, with minimal sanding and other such prep.

The drawback to pine is that this timber needs to be treated with chemicals so that it resists water damage, fungus and mould, as well as insect infestation. These chemicals may not be very healthy for you or the environment, and you may not even be allowed to burn old pine decking to dispose of it as this releases those chemicals, so this is a consideration to keep in mind if you're thinking of using pine for your home's deck.

Redwood, cedar

Redwood and cedar both have a very attractive natural appearance, with deep and rich colours and tones, so you may not need to paint or stain these timber species over the years, meaning less work and maintenance. These materials also have natural oils that make them resistant to rot and to insect infestation, so they're not usually treated with harmful chemicals, making them a more eco-friendly choice. Cedar especially has a very nice smell to it, which can enhance your enjoyment of your outdoor deck.

Tropical hardwoods

Hardwoods like bamboo are often difficult to cut with standard tools, so you may need the assistance of a contractor if this is your chosen timber. However, bamboo especially is very eco-friendly, as it grows quickly and can be replenished quickly. Most tropical hardwoods are also naturally resistant to mould, mildew, and insects, and actually thrive in very humid environments, so they typically won't absorb humidity and then expand and shrink over time, making them a durable option.