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).

I have just gone through the same decision making process. I rejected the composites due to cost, scratching, smell, and how much heat they emit. I rejected merbau due to leaching of the tannins, unsustainable harvesting practices (despite what is preached), and the threat to orangutang habitats. I chose spotted gum for looks (more brown than red), reasonable cost, easy maintenance, and it is Australian grown and produced. There will be those who disagree with my decision, but at the end of the day I wanted a reasonably priced but attractive, durable, and low maintenance decking board. It takes longer to lay the hardwoods such as spotted gum as they have to be pre-drilled, but the total extra for a 5m x 5m deck was $1000 for labour / timber compared to merbau. A quick oil once a year is the only maintenance. Pinterest is a good resource for how they all look once down.

Summer in Australia is all about the outdoors. For many homeowners, spending summer lazing around on the back deck or beside the pool is the best way to enjoy that Aussie sun. But which deck is the right deck? There are a few questions you need to consider when choosing a deck. Is the material fire safe? Does it have a great appearance? Will it resist salt and chlorine? What is the slip resistance? Is it safe to walk on? Is it pet friendly? DECO explored 4 main types of decking around pools and spas. TIMBER The three main types of timber decking available are Pine, Rainforest Merbau and Hardwood. Timber is a really beautiful decking material, however, it requires a lot of maintenance including painting/oiling every 6-12 months, stripping and re-sealing every 3-4 years, and over time it will deteriorate. A timber deck has great dimensional stability, although it is subject to shrinking and warping, as well as having a poor fire safe rating and poor resistance to salt and chlorine. COMPOSITES Composite decking is manufactured product from either China, Australia or America. Chinese and Australian composites are inclined to fade rapidly and have some dimensional stability issues. American composites have a higher plastic content, making them the most durable of the three. The plastic, however, retains a lot of heat and becomes impossible to walk on with bare feet in direct sun. All composites fail for slip and chemical resistance and have a poor fire safe rating. FIBRE CEMENT SHEET + TILES Fibre cement sheets and tiles are another decking option; however, they do not provide the traditional appearance of a timber deck. This material is a durable, pet friendly and water-resistant (although the decking will become slippery when wet) decking as well as maintenance free. This particular type of decking is a good option for bush fire zone areas (BAL FZ). ALUMINIUM DECO product DecoDeck combines the natural look of timber with the strength and durability of aluminium. The decking system features a strong box section extrusion, anti-slip polyurethane powder coating and allows for expansion and contraction. DecoDeck is manufactured using powder coating sublimation technology to achieve a beautiful natural timber appearance. There is no maintenance, painting, sanding or oiling required. It is comfortable to walk on and will not retain heat like other decks do. DecoDeck withstands harsh environmental conditions and is a non-combustible product. For more information on DecoDeck please visit www.deco.net.au

Hi Michael, If you are incorporating timber battens and decking into your home design, make sure you check our DecoBatten and DecoDeck :) They are low maintenance, UV resistant and have a marine grade finish. DecoDeck combines the natural beauty of timber decking with the strength and durability of aluminium. A first in aluminium decking systems, DecoDeck replicates the form, feel and appearance of natural timber decking with the Super Durable DecoWood wood grain finish. Our timber-look battens are available in wide range of sizes and very easy to install! DIY friendly :) You can find more information and installation guides here >> www.deco.net.au