Although outdoor parquet or wood decking is one of the design trends of 2023 and has a long history of success, it is important to consider, before making a final choice, that this type of flooring could also present some drawbacks.

Even though its name evokes the image of a bridge, wood decking can be subject to deterioration due to weather conditions such as rain and snow, requiring constant care to maintain its elegance and naturalness, and it might not be the most suitable material for those seeking a practical and low-maintenance solution for their outdoor spaces.

Maintenance of wood decking

Durability and longevity are essential for wood decking, as this type of outdoor flooring must withstand weather conditions and last a long time in the
long run. Typically, wood decking is made from hardy woods like teak, which is the preferred material for ensuring high performance, but other varieties such as ash, larch, or iroko are also used.

It is important to note, however, that despite the strong resistance of the materials used, wood decking is not exempt from periodic and constant care to ensure good preservation over time and, often, is not actually the most cost-effective choice.

We can say that whether wood decking has a ribbed or smooth surface, it will need regular treatments to prevent structural damage, as well as the appearance of splinters, which can be dangerous for those who enjoy walking barefoot by the pool or in the yard, and to ensure the perfect alignment of the boards.

During installation, it is also crucial to ensure that the flooring has an adequate slope to facilitate rainwater drainage and that proper ventilation is provided to prevent excessive humidity and mold; otherwise, wood decking could deteriorate very quickly.

In any case, it is important to know that regardless of the material chosen and the installation procedures, outdoor wood will inevitably undergo changes: it will tend to gray, and the boards will expand due to temperature changes, which is why periodic care is recommended.

As mentioned, wood decking requires constant attention to remain in good condition, and this is why in certain situations, new composite wood material technologies are preferred, such as those used for our EXTERNO collection, which furnish outdoor spaces with high aesthetic impact and extreme robustness.

Decking: a perfect outdoor parquet. Indeed, for EXTERNO

Among Woodco’s collections, the EXTERNO range stands out as a line of sure aesthetic impact and at the same time very durable. EXTERNO is a range of outdoor flooring made entirely of eco-sustainable composite material based on wood flour and high-density recycled polyethylene.

It is robust, thanks to the co-extruded Extrashield cover technology, which protects against UV rays and other weather conditions, yet it leaves nothing to be desired in terms of the warmth and comfort sensations that quality parquet can convey.

The Extrashield coating further enhances the resistance of the boards to all types of stains and mold, but it also has anti-slip and, above all, anti-splinter effects.

Moreover, it makes maintenance even easier by eliminating the need for any treatment after installation and during the product’s lifespan, unlike traditional wood decking.

A wide variety of decking styles

Designed to withstand impacts, stains, and exuberant nature, EXTERNO is available in Light Brown, Dark Grey, Ipe, Teak, Antique shades, and in three surface types: ribbed, sanded, brushed.

The naturalness and realism of the grains and colors, the quality of the surface effects, and the impeccable workmanship of the planks ensure, in fact, a high-profile aesthetic result.

Its exclusive patented Techno fastening system can halve installation times compared to traditional approaches because it does not require pre-drilling of the joists during assembly and is designed to be easily adjusted or rectified. It is available both in the aforementioned Extrashield version, with a thickness of 22.5 millimeters, and in the Traditional version, with a greater thickness of 24.2 millimeters.