Softwood: the sensible starting point
Pressure-treated softwood is the deck most people picture. It's cheaper than composite or hardwood to buy, and it's quick to work with. Boards are treated against rot, and the joists and posts underneath use timber treated for ground contact.
The honest catch is upkeep. In Middlesbrough's damp winters a softwood deck in the shade will go green unless it's cleaned and treated, usually once a year. Left alone, boards can split, lift and eventually soften. If you're happy to do that maintenance, or you want a deck for a few years while you plan something bigger, softwood is a good choice.
Hardwood: dense, heavy and long-lived
Hardwoods like balau are much denser. They resist rot naturally, feel solid underfoot and last far longer than softwood. Freshly oiled, they have a rich reddish-brown colour. If you'd rather not oil them, they fade to a silvery grey that suits a lot of gardens.
Hardwood suits the bigger detached houses in Stainton, Thornton and Nunthorpe, where a deck can sit among mature trees and a natural finish looks at home. It costs more than softwood and takes longer to fit, because every board has to be pre-drilled.
Keeping timber dry
Most timber decks fail from the bottom up. Water sits on top of joists, soil touches posts and leaves pile up under the boards where nothing can dry. We leave gaps between boards for drainage, keep posts out of the soil on concrete pads, lay membrane and gravel to stop weeds and give air a way in and out.
When we'd suggest composite instead
If the deck will be in shade most of the day, or you simply don't want to spend a weekend every spring cleaning and oiling, we'll tell you so and price composite decking alongside. Some people choose a hardwood frame finish and composite boards; others go timber now and replace the boards later. We'll set out the options rather than push one.
Your questions
Is treated softwood decking worth it?
It is if you're happy to clean and treat it every year and want the lowest starting price. Without that care it won't last nearly as long as hardwood or composite.
How long before softwood boards need replacing?
It depends heavily on shade, drainage and upkeep. A well-built, well-kept deck in an open spot lasts far longer than one in a damp corner. We'll tell you honestly what to expect for your garden.