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Oak Decking

Weathered air dried oak decking 21x120mm | VDEC2©S2 design . architects | 21x120mm | VDEC2
Weathered air dried oak decking 21x120mm | VDEC221x120mm | VDEC2 ©S2 design architects

English oak boards are regularly used for internal flooring, but designers are increasingly specifying them for external use as well. The warm and tactile appearance of oak is highly attractive while the natural durability of the wood, together with its toughness, makes it the ideal specie for upmarket decking installations.

Oak decking is the ideal choice for designers who want to specify a hardwood deck but feel uneasy about using tropical species. Although oak is not as hard or durable as species such as opepe or balau, it is well suited for use as decking where it will be elevated off the ground.

The air dried oak deck boards supplied by Vastern Timber are manufactured in-house from English oak logs sawn in one of our two sawmills in Wiltshire. This enables us to monitor quality and moisture levels carefully to ensure the deck boards are suitable and safe for decking installations.

Vastern Timber offers a range of standard sizes and profiles for the air dried oak and can also accommodate bespoke requirements.

Tannic Acid
One feature of oak decking that must be considered is the high tannin content. During the first few months after the decking has been attached, tannin will exude from the boards, resulting in streaks and stains where it comes in to contact with masonry or render . Tannin also corrodes ferrous metal, so it is therefore important to use either stainless steel fixings. Additionally care should be taken to keep other ferrous metal such as scaffolding away from the decking to avoid staining of the boards.

 

Technical Specification

Produced to comply with the harmonised standard for construction products regulation BSEN14915:2013

Trade Name Air dried oak
Base timber English oak
Species Quercus robur
Process None
Origin Legal and well-managed forests in England and Wales
Intended use External decking
Other uses External cladding, joinery and furniture
Appearance New oak is often described as straw coloured. As the boards weather the colour will change to a silver-grey patina. The boards will contain small knots up to a maximum size of 50mm. Air dried oak may develop small surface checks (cracks) in warm weather. These do not affect the strength of the timber.
Weathering Oak will weather to a silver-grey patina although oak decking can respond badly to certain environments causing the wood to blacken.
Profiles Decking profiles

VDEC1VDEC2VDEC3VDEC4

Dimensions
Thickness Overall width Profiles available
21mm 95mm VDEC2, VDEC3
21mm 120mm VDEC2
21mm 140mm VDEC1, VDEC2
27mm 145mm VDEC4
Lengths Random. 1.8 – 3.0mt+
Moisture content Approx 16 – 20%
Natural durability (EN350-2) Durable Class 2
Insect attack Resistant
Desired service life (BS8417) Frequently wet. 30 yrs* (This is heavily reliant on good design and installation) (Realistic service life as decking more likely to be 15 – 20yrs)
Treatability class Resistant
Movement class* Medium (Tends to be large when laid as decking. Expect variation of 5mm on a 145mm board through the year)
Mean Density 670 – 760 kg/m3
Resistance to impact* Medium to high
Resistance to fixing High. Predrilling necessary.
When to fix Ideally Autumn and Winter months. Avoid hottest months.
Grading BS1186-3 1990 Class 3. EN942:2007. J30. Regular small and occasional medium sound knots.
Working properties Average workability. Takes fixings satisfactorily.
Extractives Oak contains tannic acid, which will corrode ferrous metals. When the two come into contact, a blue sludge is formed that will stain the oak and anything else it meets. All fixings used in conjunction with oak should be stainless steel. Tannic acid could also leave unsightly brown stains on the surface of the decking and will stain any porous materials below the decking. The reactivity of tannin makes oak cladding unsuitable for polluted areas and shaded areas.
Emission of formaldehyde (EN14915) E1 (Not significant)
Reaction to fire (EN14915) Euroclass F (Untested). D-s2, d0
Fire treatment Impregnation possible
CE compliant Yes
While the utmost care has been taken to provide accurate information, Vastern Timber shall not be held responsible for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions on this website nor for any damages resulting from the use of the information.

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