Exterior choice of wood

[Chappers]

Hi. Newbie here. I have 3 voids under a new south-facing terrace that need doors (measuring about 1,000 mm wide by 800 mm hight), or at least inserts to keep them largely watertight. My builder feels wooden doors e.g louvred, would warp soon because of sun and rain exposure. What choices of wood would be most resistant to the weather? Thank you.

 

[fuse]

Beehives are traditionally made from Cedar for good reason but a vertical orientation design would shed water quicker

 

[Blackswanwood]

Accoya - but it’s not cheap as it has been thermally modified.

Western Red Cedar, Larch or Oak would all be fine.

I may be misinterpreting your builder but I’m a bit surprised that he is expecting problems.

 

[fuse]

The word "louvre" makes me think of cheap interior wardrobe doors
Perhaps thats whats in his mind too!

 

[Lons]

I wouldn't have thought a bit of twisting and warping is the end of the world and can be minimised by treatment, wood is going to move whatever you do but hey we're woodworkers we can fix it.
As an alternative what about composite decking to make the doors, It's stable, looks like wood and can be screwed togeter. I've used it a few times, most recently to replace a simple bench type table top and seats. It's stood in all weathers for the last 12 months without issues. Just a thought.

 

[Planeiron]

My vote is for accoya. Not cheap but if you install and allow to weather it could last decades without needing any work at all.

Next would be iroko.

 

[Mike G]

You've had the list of species (plus composites) to choose from the others already....but I would be more concerned with the ground level in this space being lower than the ground level outside it. What's the plan with that? Two inches of water sitting in there through the winter would render it a fairly useless space.

 

[AndyP]

Good morning Chappers and welcome to the Haven.
Will you be making these doors yourself? Do you envisage painting them to match the windows in the house? Do those voids under the terrace require ventilation? The paving slabs in front look to be higher than the area under the terrace which may need considering.

Edit
Posts crossed with Mike who has probably explained the levels problem better than I.

 

[Chappers]

Good morning Chappers and welcome to the Haven.
Will you be making these doors yourself? Do you envisage painting them to match the windows in the house? Do those voids under the terrace require ventilation? The paving slabs in front look to be higher than the area under the terrace which may need considering.

Edit
Posts crossed with Mike who has probably explained the levels problem better than I.

Thank you very. It would be an artisan rather than me but ventilation not required. Painting is a possibility and the windows are 10 years old with no issue.

 

[Cabinetman]

You've had the list of species (plus composites) to choose from the others already....but I would be more concerned with the ground level in this space being lower than the ground level outside it. What's the plan with that? Two inches of water sitting in there through the winter would render it a fairly useless space.

Welcome. I can’t imagine you crawling in there much, If it were me I would have a row of stone to mirror the lintels above, that will hopefully prevent water entry from the path, then panels fitted with screws for access when needed. Composite for me.

 

[Jonathan]

I make Louvre’s at least couple of times a year for a complex that’s south facing and some windows are approximately 20 meters from the med in Andalucía, so exposed to the weather. The original ones made in the 80s were Pine, I’m replacing with Sipo, not noticed any warping.
Will try and attach a photo to show they are very exposed

 

[Chappers]

Welcome. I can’t imagine you crawling in there much, If it were me I would have a row of stone to mirror the lintels above, that will hopefully prevent water entry from the path, then panels fitted with screws for access when needed. Composite for me.

Thank you