For civil and marine contractors, council clients and designers, choosing the right timber decking is a long-term value decision. Ekki decking, also known as Azobé, is a heavy-duty hardwood decking that excels where strength, wear resistance, and whole-life cost matter: piers, pontoons, footbridges, river walkways, towpaths, and public-realm boardwalks. This guide explains why Ekki timber is often the most economical choice over the asset’s lifetime, and how it supports low-carbon objectives without compromising performance.
Sourcing note: For consistent quality and certification, see Ekki decking for civil & marine projects.
Table of Contents
Why Ekki for Civil & Marine Decking?
1) Exceptional durability in harsh environments
Ekki is a naturally durable hardwood widely used in marine decking and structural timber applications. It withstands wet-dry cycles, splash zones and high footfall typical of UK coastal piers, canal walkways and public boardwalks. With correct detailing and maintenance, Ekki delivers a long service life-often outlasting multiple refurbishment cycles of lighter-duty materials.
2) High strength and stiffness
Designers value Ekki’s density and strength class for spanning and load-bearing performance. That translates to confidence on footbridge decks and pedestrian walkways where point loads, crowd loading and vehicle access (e.g., maintenance carts) may apply. In many cases, you can achieve robust spans using standard board dimensions, supporting efficient installation.
3) Whole-life economy
Up-front material cost is only one line in the budget. Over a 20- to 40-year horizon, Ekki hardwood decking typically reduces reactive maintenance, replacement cycles and downtime compared with softer timbers or composite substitutes. Fewer closures, fewer emergency call-outs and fewer replacements mean lower total cost of ownership for councils and asset managers.
4) Natural, low-carbon material
As a timber decking solution, Ekki stores carbon for the life of the structure. When sourced responsibly, it supports public-sector carbon plans and biodiversity goals. Unlike high-embodied-carbon alternatives, Ekki wood decking aligns with decarbonisation pathways while still meeting demanding performance requirements.
Typical UK use cases
- Piers & pontoons: Heavy wear, brackish/salt exposure and occasional wave impact. Ekki’s density resists abrasion and impact damage.
- Footbridges & cycle bridges: Reliable stiffness and durability for deck planks, transition zones and abutment interfaces.
- Walkways & boardwalks: Public realm projects in parks, wetlands and SSSIs benefit from a natural aesthetic and low visual clutter.
- Towpaths & river edges: Handles silt, splash and grit abrasion; easy to integrate with anti-slip decking inserts where required.
Design & specification tips for Ekki timber decking
Board selection & profile
Common profiles include smooth or reeded boards; many UK designers prefer smooth for easier cleaning and better slip-insert bonding. Specify consistent moisture content and machining tolerances to minimise site sorting.
Anti-slip strategy
For public walkways and footbridges, add bonded aggregate or GRP insert strips in trafficked lines. Plan inserts relative to board width so fixings don’t clash.
Fixings & fasteners
Pre-drill and countersink-Ekki is dense. Use stainless steel fixings (A2 or A4 in marine locations). Consider hidden-fix systems only where they are certified for dense hardwoods and public-realm loading.
Substructure & detailing
A ventilated build-up with fall and drainage prolongs service life. Keep end grain off standing water, use drip details at edges, and maintain ground/ water clearance per design guidance. At joints, allow for shrinkage/movement gaps suitable for dense hardwoods.
Interface durability
Where Ekki meets steel or concrete (bridges, pier heads), isolate dissimilar materials to reduce staining and corrosion. Use compatible membranes or packers and specify robust edge protection at high-impact zones.
Installation & Maintenance (for long service life)
- Acclimatise boards before fixing to reduce early movement.
- Pre-drill and pilot all fixings; avoid splitting at ends.
- Keep surfaces clean-periodic washdowns remove grit that accelerates wear.
- Inspect high-risk zones annually (drip edges, landings, slip-insert bonds).
- Refurbish anti-slip inserts on a planned cycle rather than reactive call-outs.
Because Ekki is naturally durable, preservative treatment is usually unnecessary for decking above ground with good detailing. Finishes are optional; many councils prefer an unfinished surface for simpler long-term care.
Sustainability & Certification
Public sector procurement increasingly requires verified supply chains. Specify FSC-certified Ekki and request full chain-of-custody documentation. As a natural timber with long service life, Ekki supports circular-economy goals: low embodied carbon at manufacture, carbon storage in use, and potential reuse or recycling at end of life.
Looking for profiles, sizes and certification options? Explore Ekki decking boards and specifications.
Costing the Case: Why Ekki is Cheaper Over Time
When you combine long service life, fewer closures, minimal coatings and reduced replacement frequency, the whole-life cost of Ekki compares very favourably to alternatives. For councils and asset owners measured on lifecycle value and uptime, Ekki’s resilience pays back-especially on high-footfall walkways and marine piers where abrasive wear is the silent budget killer.
Quick Checklist for Specifiers
- Project type: pier / footbridge / walkway / boardwalk / towpath
- Traffic: pedestrian only, mixed mode, emergency/service vehicle access
- Slip resistance: insert positions, refurbishment plan, target PTV
- Fixings: stainless grade, pre-drilling, edge distances, hidden-fix suitability
- Detailing: drainage, end-grain protection, interface isolation
- Sustainability: FSC chain-of-custody, carbon reporting, reuse strategy
