If you are planning to furnish a terrace, veranda or garden with new flooring, sooner or later you will face the question: what decking to choose? The market offers dozens of options - from solid wood to innovative composite materials, each with a different price, look, durability and maintenance needs.
In this guide we cover all the main types of decking - by origin, material, shape and size. Our goal is to prevent you from making the wrong choice and help you find a solution that truly fits your space and lifestyle.
The types of decking are divided into two broad categories of origin: natural and composite. This distinction is the starting point for any choice as it determines the basic behaviour of the decking over time.
Natural wood - teak, oak, acacia, ipe or pine, is the basis of natural decking. The warm feel and unique texture of each board are its undeniable advantages.
On the other hand, wood reacts to moisture, UV rays and temperature changes, which means more frequent and more expensive maintenance compared to the alternatives. Bamboo flooring is added to natural decking.
Composite decking is an engineering solution that combines natural resources with polymers. The aim is to keep the tree look but eliminate the weaknesses of the solid wood.
WPC (wood-polymer composite) falls into this category. Composite wood is distinguished by higher durability, lower maintenance costs and better sustainability under aggressive climatic conditions.
The material of manufacture is another criterion that divides the decking into different types.
Solid wood decking is a classic in the outdoor flooring category. Made from hard natural woods such as teak, acacia or ipe, it is associated with a luxurious look and authenticity.
Advantages: unique look and feel; good resistance to mechanical stress; can be sanded and refurbished with proper care.
Disadvantages: High cost, sensitive to moisture, UV rays and mould; prone to cracking, rotting and warping with temperature changes; requires regular treatment.
Maintenance: compulsory oiling or varnishing once a year; cleaning with suitable detergents; regular inspection for rot.
Service life: 15-25 years with regular maintenance.
Installation: medium difficulty - requires cutting, drilling and fastening with visible or concealed clamps; standard tools and experience required.
Thermowood is natural wood which has undergone heat treatment at high temperatures without the addition of chemicals. The process alters the cell structure of the wood and makes it significantly more resistant to moisture and decay.
The impregnated decking is pressure treated with preservatives.
Advantages: better moisture resistance compared to solid wood; preserved natural appearance; more affordable than hardwoods.
Disadvantages: Thermowood can become brittle after prolonged sun exposure; impregnated contains chemicals, which is a disadvantage with children and pets nearby.
Maintenance: need oiling every 2-3 years; cleaning with water and brush.
Service life: 20-30 years under good climatic conditions.
Installation: medium difficulty - similar to solid decking.
WPC decking is one of the most preferred modern solutions for outdoor flooring. The WPC material is produced from mixture of wood fibres and polymers, the end result is a material that looks like wood but behaves like a polymer. It is this combination that makes it so popular - it has the design and warmth of wood without its weaknesses.
Artefino offers WPC decking in series with different profiles, colours and textures - from natural teak to dark grey. The boards are double-faced and anti-slip surface. It is this safety on wet surfaces that is a key advantage for terraces, outdoor spaces and areas around water.
Advantages: resistant to moisture, UV rays and temperature changes; does not rot or crack; wide variety of colors and textures; easy maintenance; contains recycled materials.
Disadvantages: higher initial cost than PVC; fading is possible after years with low quality products.
Support: periodic cleaning with water and mild soap - no varnishing, painting or special preparations.
Service life: 25-35 years with high quality product and proper installation.
Installation: easy to medium difficulty.
Bamboo decking is a relatively new and interesting option on the market. Bamboo is a type of grass - it grows significantly faster than wood and is therefore considered a highly environmentally friendly choice. It is available in pressed or heat-treated form, with the processing producing an extremely hard and dense material.
Advantages: high hardness and mechanical resistance; good environmental friendliness - bamboo is among the fast renewable natural resources; pleasant appearance, similar to solid wood.
Disadvantages: limited availability in Bulgaria; in case of insufficient processing - sensitive to moisture; less known on the market; expensive solution;
Maintenance: similar to wood decking - oiling and cleaning.
Service life: 20-25 years.
Installation: medium difficulty - requires careful cutting and properly prepared base.
The shape of the decking directly affects the installation method, applicability and final result. Two main options are decking boards and decking tiles.
Decking boards are used for the construction of decking of open spaces exposed to rain. The construction allows to peel off the unevenness of the substrate, for this purpose the surface is levelled with spacers (feet), on which the substrate profiles are placed. The decking profiles are placed on top of the subfloor profiles, which are fastened to them using clips with screws. The screw clips are placed between the individual decking boards, with the tongue of the clips entering the side grooves of the decking boards. This creates a 5mm joint through which rainwater drains.
Spacers allow the decking to be placed at a greater height if needed. The minimum height at which decking can be constructed is 4 cm, but the recommended height is 5-6 cm.
In case of a larger space and height of more than 40 cm, it is recommended construction of metal structure. Through the construction of subfloor profiles and spacers the so-called double floor is built. In addition to the above advantages, it also creates space for drainage of rainwater under the decking boards, which allows water not to remain on them.
Decking boards or also decking profiles are suitable for terraces, gardens, pools, verandas, roof terraces, courtyard projects, spas where there is no high temperature, courtyards and beach promenades. They offer stability and installation flexibility. They can be cut to measure, mounted in different directions and cover any area.
Decking tiles are square or rectangular modular elements, usually 30×30 or 50×50 cm, with a built-in substructure underneath. They are easy to assemble thanks to the click system, which anyone can assemble themselves like a lego.
Decking boards do not require construction. They are laid directly on a flat and hard surface - concrete, slabs or existing flooring. They are convenient for small balconies and terraces, but have a significant disadvantage: they do not go around the bumps of the base, and follow them. Rainwater is harder to drain and stay on them because there is no space under the pavement for it to run off.
Decking slabs are not suitable for building a decking area in the yard, nor for laying around the pool or for paths, as they cannot be fixed firmly to the substrate. They are suitable for glazed terraces where a large amount of rainwater does not fall.
Decking boards are used to build a stable and durable flooring over a structure, while decking slabs are a modular system for quick installation, suitable for temporary or lighter solutions.
Sizes vary by type and manufacturer. Below are the typical parameters you will most often find on the market.
Wooden decking (solid wood):
Length: 1,5-5 m (on request up to 6 m)
Width: 90-145 mm
Thickness: 19-28 mm
Thermowood:
Length: 1.8-4.2 m
Width: 90-140 mm
Thickness: 20-26 mm
WPC decking:
Length: standard 2.90 - 3.00 m (individual sizes up to 5.50 m possible)
Width: 140-145 mm
Thickness: 20-23 mm
Profile: with internal holes (square or round holes; lighter) or solid (stronger; supports heavier loads)
Bamboo decking:
Length: 1,85-3,66 m
Width: 90-136 mm
Thickness: 18-25 mm
The dimensions directly affect the stability of the pavement, the amount of material and the final cost of the project. A thicker profile carries more load, while longer boards reduce the number of joints and create a cleaner look.
The choice of decking depends on the specific application, budget and maintenance expectations. If you are looking long-term solution with minimum care, WPC decking is the leading choice. It combines functionality, style and environmental friendliness in one. Manufacturers are increasingly innovating in materials - harder profiles, more realistic textures, a wider range of colours.
If the demand for affordability is a major criterion, thermally treated wood or standard WPC offer good price-quality ratio. For decorating gardens with a more luxurious look - teak or ipe remain true classics.
Also pay attention to the availability of materials from the particular supplier: it is important to have a stock for future additions or repairs. High-quality products come with a guarantee and clear installation instructions, and professional buying advice saves you making costly mistakes.
Ask for delivery, installation assistance and maintenance advice. The ability to provide customer service after the sale is as important as the quality of the product itself.
In the following table you can see a comparison of different types of decking.
| Decking type | Support | Abdomen (year) | Sustainability | Installation | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid wood | High | 15-25 | Medium | Medium | High |
| Thermocouple | Medium | 20-30 | Good | Medium | Medium |
| WPC decking | Low | 25-35 | Excellent | Easy | Medium-High |
| Bamboo decking | Medium | 20-25 | Good | Medium | Medium-High |
From the data in the table it is clear that WPC decking offers the best balance between durability, easy maintenance and sustainability. Solid wood remains the choice for those for whom the authentic wood look is above all else.
Market trends clearly show a growing interest in sustainable materials based on recycled natural resources - this is exactly the direction in which WPC production technologies are heading. Extended customisation options - in length, colour and profile - make these flooring suitable for any project, from a small balcony to a large garden with swimming pool.
When you work with an experienced supplier like Artefino, you get access to professional services from consultation and delivery to complete decoration of your outdoor space.
Decking is a specialised flooring system for outdoor spaces with a wood or wood-polymer structure, whereas conventional tiles are ceramic or stone. Decking provides a more pleasant walking feel, more comfort and a more aesthetic look.
When installing on a roof or terrace over a living space, waterproofing must be in place before the decking is installed. When installing over a concrete slab at ground level this is not a mandatory requirement but is recommended.
WPC is the best choice around pools - waterproof and has an anti-slip (anti-slip) surface. Solid wood can also be used but requires significantly more frequent maintenance in this environment.
The climatic conditions in Bulgaria - hot summers, cold winters and frequent wet periods, require decking with good UV resistance and resistance to temperature changes. WPC decking is particularly suitable as it combines these qualities without requiring additional treatment between seasons.
Artefino provides detailed product information, including advice on selecting the right flooring for the space. For a personalised consultation, contact the team via the artefino.bg contact page.
