Versatility
Wood is a versatile material with a variety of grain patterns and colours. Wood can be modified for various styles and sizes as a deck material. The surface of the wood can be stained in multiple colours and finished with several textures and styles, for example, with oil, stain or a long-lasting silicate-based treatment (WOODCARE.GUIDE Natural Terrace Protector) that hardens the wood from the inside.
Availability
Especially in the Nordic countries, the availability of wood is good, and the selection also includes pre-treated alternatives like pressure-impregnated and heat-treated wood. In general, wood material is available in most countries. Different types of wood are suitable as deck material, such as acacia, black locust, cedar, cypress, Douglas fir, Ipe, redwood, teak, white oak, ash and Merbau. The typical deck materials in Finland are Siberian larch, pine and spruce. Pressure-impregnated wood (green and brown) is the most popular choice.
Affordability
The price-quality ratio of the wood is excellent, as properly installed and maintained wood is a very long-lasting deck material. If you choose a high-quality and suitable type of wood for the deck and remember to invest in maintenance, the service life can be 30 years or more.
Durability
Wood is a material very resistant to weather fluctuations: it withstands moisture and frost well as long as it dries properly. Treatment with tinted wood oil improves the wood's UV resistance and prevents it from turning gray (gray is, however, mainly a question of aesthetic opinion).
Sustainability
Wood is a greenhouse-positive product with a lower net environmental impact than most other building materials, such as emission-intensive steel, aluminium, or concrete. The process of manufacturing wood also uses substantially less fossil fuel energy per unit volume.
Buying domestic wood is sustainable because it is not transported long distances. Wood is a renewable resource unlike synthetically produced materials such as composite. Moreover, wood does not release any microplastics, it decomposes and can be burned and recycled.
Health Benefits
Wood is not toxic and is safe to handle and touch. It is also an antibacterial material and has good acoustic properties. A report commissioned by Planet Ark has found that exposure to wood products and interiors produces similar health benefits to those of spending time in nature. These benefits include lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress levels.
Style
Wood is a natural material that looks and feels warm and cosy. Ultimately, wood has a rustic and timeless charm that never goes out of style.
