what is the best kind of decking timber in Australia

11 years ago

We would like to know everyone's thoughts on what they believe the best decking timbers are and why?
here are some popular ones we can think of;
merbau
spotted gum
iron bark
mahogany
Tallowwood
Stringybark
Blackbutt
Forest Reds
Jarrah
Karri
silver top ash

Thanks for your feedback ;-)

Featured Answer

Luke Buckle

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I am a fan of Blackbutt indoors and would love to have it outdoors too. It starts of blonde and turns to a rustic gray over time.

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Comments (21)

Curt D'Onofrio
11 years ago
@ACT decks, I love that color of deck...care to share what color of stain and material used and finally does it hold up in full sun ?
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Hi, why don't you have a think about installing composite decking which will allow you to be level with the door sill without the worry of run-off into the house due to the 5mm gap between the boards. Composite doesn't required coating so the maintenance issues are significantly less, just a hose down and sweep or mop with water. You would still need to excavate approx. 250mm below the finished deck level to allow for the sub-frame but if you use treated pine framing with, either H4 stumps in concrete, or galvanised stirrups to anchor the framing into the soil. Check with your local decking pro for further advice and brand options. Generally, the USA made composites like Trex or Timbertech are better quality and the concealed fixing systems are easy to install. Your soil type may be the only issue with water, ie clay which retains water, or sand which tends to drain more quickly. Good luck
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We used spotted gum for our decking and love it! We got it for $4.25 linear metre from Masters (any lengths that were inferior they were happy to replace). Our deck was built next to our near-white pavers so merbau was out of the question due to its leaching (plus we also were wanting an eco-friendly local hardwood if possible).
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This is my bench top that I made and oiled. I used livos oil as I do with most things but I would consider Organoil hard burnishing oil as well, as I believe it may deal with the humidity being a northern nsw product. Never use polyurethane on anything is my best advise. Call prep products in Sydney for any info on it, they are really helpful and can give you the maintenance instructions. I'd probably just use their woodwipe occasionally to keep it looking good and wearing in to look better in time. Unlike poly which will only deteriorate and with oil you just maintain in situ.
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PRO
ACT Decks
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Curt,
This deck is merbau hardwood and we have used Cutek CD50 with autumn tone tint in it.

We have tried out many oils in the past but Cutek is by far the best oil you can buy. It hold's up in full sun very well and enhances your decks longevity at the same time unlike many other products on the market that are very detrimental to the life span of your deck. if your looking for more information on Cutek have a look at there website www.cutek.com.au
PRO
ACT Decks
Original Author
11 years ago
Luke,

love the deck that you have there

Are you looking for the boards to go grey?
what hind of timber coating are you using on your deck?
User
11 years ago
Something bushfire proof/resistant.
hayley
11 years ago
I love merbau. But i am unsure how it goes when it ages. Can you tell me?
ashilleong
11 years ago
merbau is problematic as it is often logged from areas where it is a threatened species - so check that it is from a legit, sustainable source
Barbara Dunstan
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Love timber but I'm always so dissapointed in looking at grey timber deckings and furniture outside, as so many people just don't seem to have the time and inclination needed, to re oil or stain regularly.
Our daughter chose, merbau and went to allot of trouble fitting the boards and even though the timber was kiln dried, it still shrunk terribly, huge job to fix it, which won't happen, as that would mean pulling every board up and the nails aren't designed to come out, so now it simply looks ordinary.
I on the other hand, have gone to the "dark side" so to speak and just decided on concrete veranda's but I will have an overflowing of timber inside where I think it does look it's best!!!
PRO
palaestra
11 years ago
Hi ACT decks, you might like to take a look at http://au.fsc.org/certified-timber-from-australia.220.htm - the Forest Stewardship Council. They have a list at the link above of sustainably managed Australian timbers, Avoid merbau, for reasons given in other comments. (Personally I am happier using Australian timbers, as we ought to be able to look after our own forests. Other sources may be prone to exploitation.) It seems though you are a supplier, not someone looking for residential advice.
PRO
Phill McGowan Drafting
11 years ago
I have used 140 x 32 Quila on this deck with Stainless Steel batten screws for fixing. Coated with Organoil originally, I just give it a wipe over with a rag soaked with Organoil twice a year. Same for the posts. Doesn't take long and worth the effort.
PRO
CBRS Construction
11 years ago
Spotted gum is a favourite of mine. It is a native timber that weathers well in the Australian climate. If it is covered you can get away with only recoating it with oils once a year with out it turning grey. It ages into lovely dark reds.
ashilleong
11 years ago
Anyone used any of the composite decking? We're looking at it as our new house has lost some of it's 'mixed Australian hardwood' deck to rot while tennants have been in. Previous owner polyurethaned instead of oiled :(
13046841
11 years ago
deck is about 70m2...used forest reds, some undercover some exposed to weather, good price, durable, looks great. could not justify spending more than double on merbau for the same look. I only use sikkens oil though (clear), once a year. the others are cr@p
Elyse
11 years ago
We are looking at buying grey ironbark or spotted gum for our deck replacement, both are up high on the fsc recommendations and cope in bushfire area BAL 12.5 which is where our home is, anyone had any negatives using these wood types? I liked blackbutt originally but it wasn't rated well by fsc :(
Elyse
11 years ago
What oils do you people prefer? I bought a common brand oil with no apparent colour to find out it was bright red! Looks awful I wanted a natural or grey finish to the treated pine (we have lots of decks!) I see the organ oil
Deck above looks lovely anyone used feastwatson grey look deck?
redbow717
11 years ago
I have a Tallowwood deck. 12 x 5. Beautiful hard timber however finding a deck oil that is clear and not tinted to bring out the natural colour is very difficult. I have had to overdose it in oxalic acid to revive the natural colour again.
che_ter
10 years ago
did you find a good oil for tallowwood decking we are having trouble also dont want it too yellow in colour
Alice Villella
9 years ago
Once a deck goes grey how do you keep the wood in good condition but retain the grey colour?
Gallifrey
9 years ago
I have miles of decking at two houses. All timber when put in the Australian sun will suffer. When building our beach house we decided to go for Spotted Gum and let it grey. Why fight it? We applied Cutek, and will on a regular basis.

At our main house we have lots of Merabu or Quilla. Will not grey the same, and leaches lots of red stain. Cheap, but would not use again.

What ever you use, use a good quality oil that seeps deep into the wood not a traditional stain/or top finishing product.
Hfgf Dhf
9 years ago
Has anyone used Feast Watson Grey Look Deck? I tried to get a sample pot at Bunnings today and was told they weren't stocking it at the moment because there was some sort of problem with it. Has anyone else heard that?
PRO
Mortlock Timber Pty Ltd
9 years ago
We have found the best way to get a weathered finish on your decking is use Cutek CD50 with no colour tone and allow it to weather naturally. We have tested products that speed the weathering but they never look natural. You need to ensure you use a very stable timber so it stays nice and flat when weathering such as Burnt Ash, Mahogany or Pacific Teak. view more images

what is the best kind of decking timber in Australia

Luke Buckle

Comments (21)

Curt D'Onofrio

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hayley

ashilleong

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redbow717

che_ter

Alice Villella

Gallifrey

Hfgf Dhf

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what is the best kind of decking timber in Australia

Comments (21)

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