Natural wood or modern tiles? What to choose for your terrace to enjoy its pristine surface and durability for a long time? Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages, which will be presented below. Therefore, if you don’t know what to choose, keep reading!
Choosing the right materials for terrace structures is quite a challenge. They not only determine the appearance of the structure, but also its durability and reliability. Therefore, the choice of the right material should not only be a matter of taste, but must also take into account three basic parameters, such as
With the right choice of material, it will not be necessary to make renovations, and the surface will guarantee the right parameters for the requirements of users
Wood is one of the most beautiful materials used for terraces. Its advantages include, first of all, a natural look and easy arrangement of the space – plants in pots look great against the background of the boards. Wooden decking also has a pleasant texture, which makes it pleasant to step on with bare feet at any time of the year and almost completely eliminates the risk of getting burned by heated material. What’s more, wood decking is especially recommended for families with children, as the material cushions falls and therefore improves safety
However, wood decking also has disadvantages. To enjoy its beautiful appearance, you need to take care of regular maintenance to protect it from adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow or prolonged UV radiation, which can cause discoloration. This work should be done at least twice a year and should include a thorough cleaning of the surface of the boards and their oiling
In the case of wood for terraces, the best effect is given by exotic species such as ipe, massaranduba or bilinga, characterized by high resistance to moisture – but also high price. Comparable parameters in the case of domestic wood will provide oak, which, however, still does not belong to the cheapest materials
Concrete slabs, in turn, is a solution that allows you to obtain the desired parameters of the structure, such as strength and resistance to weather conditions. In addition, they are characterized by the possibility of any choice of finish according to individual preferences. Moreover, they are an affordable material, easily available and simple to install
However, you should pay attention to the fact that they are resistant to frost and have anti-slip properties, which will increase the safety of use. It is also worth ensuring that their shade matches the color of the facade of the building, so that they create a coherent whole with it
Among the disadvantages of concrete slabs for terraces, thermal discomfort stands out above all. Concrete is one of the materials that get cold and hot easily, so walking on it without shoes can be unpleasant. In addition, a fall on such a finished terrace can cause more health consequences than with other materials. Finally, decking boards are also much more expensive than wood if you want to replace them with another material or design. This is because they have to be stripped from the surface that has already been laid, and then the subfloor has to be torn out and re-tiled
In conclusion, wood will work well on terraces for those who appreciate natural solutions and are able to devote sufficient time to its care. Concrete slabs, on the other hand, will do well on terraces where we want them to be easy to clean and resistant to damage
