Weatherproof wood for the terrace

Weatherproof wood is a challenge, because wood is exposed to a wide variety of influences in the garden, as a terrace or furniture. Exposure to sunlight, moisture, humidity, snow and frost cause strong temperature fluctuations and weather conditions that affect the wood. In addition, fungi and mold can form, which decompose the wood over time.

Decking garden furniture, wooden privacy screens and flower bed edging should last as long as possible. Three factors are crucial for the durability of wood: choosing the right type of wood, good construction and wood care. wood care . Good ventilation is very important to avoid the risk of cracking, warping and fungal growth. 

Wood resistance classes

For the durability of the wood species, there are resistance classes according to the DIN standard from 1 (very durable) to 5 (not durable). The classes can be translated into service life: According to the DIN standard, wood in resistance class 1 – for example Cumaru, Teak or Garapa from certain regions – has a service life of over 25 years and the highest resistance. Siberian larch (resistance class 3) or Douglas fir (resistance class 3-4) are significantly less resistant and can therefore be attacked by fungi after just five years and, according to the DIN standard, have a lifespan of just under 10 years.

You can find an overview of the resistance class of the best-known decking woods in our wood lexicon and an overview of the criteria for selecting the best decking wood can be found in our online advice.

Constructive wood protection for weatherproof wood

However, even when building a wooden deck, it is worth paying attention to a few details that have a positive effect on its service life. We call this constructive wood protection. Water and moisture should be able to dry out as quickly as possible. An increased construction height with pedestals ensures that the wood can dry quickly, better ventilation is achieved and no fungi or mold can form on the underside. There are also ventilation and spacer profiles that enable better ventilation. These are particularly important for ground-level or enclosed decking or for low installation heights.

Smooth decking boards have the advantage over grooved decking boards that algae and fungi do not form in the grooves and the boards are easier to clean. You can find a detailed comparison of grooved and smooth boards in this blog post.

Spring cleaning for wooden decking

In addition, the durability of a wooden decking can be extended with wood care products. After the damp and cold season, the first algae and fungi have often formed on the wood. To prevent the wood from being permanently attacked, it is worth cleaning the decking in spring with the completely biodegradable decking cleaner. This makes it easy to remove dirt, algae and fungi and makes the decking non-slip again. A colorless decking oil prevents cracking and preserves the color of the wood – but is not necessary in terms of durability.