If you are only after prices, then click on the above price
sheet tab & look under decking.
Otherwise, read on!
Decking
Decking timbers can be divided into 4 main groups:
Hardwoods
Softwoods
Composites & Plastics
Other (anything I have missed - the weird & the wacky!
Maybe old golf balls glued to recycled
tyres or something!!??)
Hardwood Decking
Hardwood as the name suggests is “hard wood”.
It is hard.
This also means
it is durable & less likely to mark or scratch.
It is also
stronger than softwood & composite.
It is made of wood.
Wood is made
from trees.
Trees grow in
the ground.
Trees are then
cut down.
Trees are then
replanted.
Trees then
regrow.
The cycle
continues.
As you can see,
timber or wood is a renewable resource.
That is of
course assuming that it is replanted.
Wood is made from trees.
Trees occur in 2 situations:
Natural Forests.
This is where trees occur
naturally and form forests. There is usually a wide diversity of species
of both flora & fauna in a natural forest. Usually, trees are
selectively harvested, although there is still a large amount of clear
felling. Forests will normally regenerate naturally within 10 – 15 years,
although usually commercial species are encouraged.
Planted Forests.
Plantations normally consist
of one dominant species.
In a controlled
manner, a dominant species is planted as a “crop’. This method is known
as “tree-cropping” Areas used for plantations can include “regrowth”
forests & previously cleared land, including farmland. After a crop
is harvested, it is normally replanted and the cycle continues.
Farming on
a grand scale!
“Not all forests are
replanted”
Australia has a highly
regulated forest industry. Our natural forests are protected
by government legislation. These laws are designed to ensure the future
of our timber industry and our natural heritage.
The forest
industry in Australia
has a vested interest in ensuring the sustainability of its resource. One
thing you can be sure of in this country – if a forest is cut down by the
forest industry, it will grow back!
Unfortunately
not all forests are cleared for forestry. In recent history, land
clearing occurred on a massive scale in Queensland ahead of impending
anti-land clearing legislation. Many land owners clear felled all trees
on their property with massive chains suspended between two massive
bulldozers. You’ve probably heard of a D9? They used D575A, which is a
massive 131,350kg!!!
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VOTE
TO END
LAND CLEARING
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Click on the
BULLDOZER for more information about land clearing
The clearing
was done without regard of the monetary or environmental value of the
timber. Millions of dollars of timber went to waste. It was all bulldozed
into a huge pile & burnt. You know why? Because they could!!!! Sad
isn’t it! Maybe this is a REAL CAUSE of the water crisis in the Murray Darling
basin!
Overseas, trees
also occur on naturally, in forests and plantations. Unfortunately, the
world does not operate for the greater good, but for the greater greed!
Many Asian and South American countries do not offer adequate protection
to their native forests. Money can find a way around many restrictions,
nudge, nudge, wink, wink! - say no more! Corruption is the enemy of the
forests. Population pressure also places huge strain on natural resources
of 3rd world countries. I could go further, but this is about
timber; not socio-political economics.
How do I do my part for the
environment?
Buy Australian
(or NZ) where possible
Buy plantation
timber where possible. (We actually buy some timber off local
tree-fellers, so that is actually one step better, because the logs would normally end up as firewood
releasing NASTY carbon into the air)
Ensure timber
will be replanted and managed.
Ensure it is
from government approved sources
Encourage the
government to recognise the true value of forestry in combating global
warming.
Most important
– forestry is carbon negative – contrary to the myths peddled by
certain politicians*
*At present the
misguided Kyoto
Protocol only recognises timber until the point a tree is cut down. It
does not; for some really obscure reason (laziness of their
environmental auditors I think) recognise that the Carbon
is very often locked up in timber products for hundreds of years after
being processed. In the meantime, the tree may have regenerated up to 10
times!
This is what
happens when political decisions are based on emotion and not scientific
fact!
Timber rules,
ok!
Steel, plastic
& concrete are massive producers of carbon and pollution. Contrary to
their half truths, they are not environmentally friendly. They can “green
wash” all they like, but it will not change the facts!
·
To
recycle a tree all you need is a seed. Let nature do the rest. It also
traps carbon & releases life giving oxygen.
·
To
recycle steel or plastic takes a massive amount of energy & releases
carbon & some very nasty chemicals into our air.
No contest really! Is it??
Tell your politicians, Kyoto is fundamentally flawed in its
assumptions & calculations!
What do we sell?
We sell 2 main
types of decking:
Local Hardwoods
Imported
Hardwoods
Not composites
or plastic!
However, I do
have a few old golf balls knocking around if you are really keen!!
Local Hardwoods
We only sell Australian Hardwood decking that
is sourced from sustainable sources.
Native timbers are environmentally and
ethically the best option for a number of reasons:
·
Native
forests provide habitat for native animals
·
There
is less distance for travel and subsequently, less carbon footprint.
·
For
every tree cut down, there are on average 3 replanted. This cannot be
said for imported timbers.
·
Australia has one of the most modern & sustainable
industries in the world.
·
Timber
is not a cradle to grave products like alternatives; it is a cradle to
cradle.
There are many types of native Australian
hardwood decking on the market. We have tried a few, including spotted
gum. Mostly hardwood decking mills are geared towards the flooring
market, which sells in 100mm increments. This is fine for flooring, but not
decking. Decking is normally sold in 300mm increments - metric feet.
Also, there is a great level of inconsistency
in quality with some species. There can be a lot of sap faults, checking,
splitting, warping, cupping and shaking. (-to name a few faults!)
We have tried a few and have arrived at a
winner.
Karri decking - see below
Karri
Karri is a Western Australian hardwood.
Karri is sourced sustainably from approved areas
Karri an excellent choice for:
·
Horizontal
slat feature fences
·
Decking
around pools
·
Decking
around stone paving
Karri is very good quality
·
It
has a consistent colour - nice pinkie-red.
·
It
is close cousin to jarrah. (Maybe a kissin’ cousin, which would explain
the pink blush)
·
A
very reliable quality, with very few of the above mentioned faults
Imported Hardwoods
We only sell imported hardwoods sourced from government
approved sources.
Merbau
Merbau is in my
opinion, the best of the best.
Advantages:
It is durable,
hard, has a consistent grain, no knots & is easy to work.
It is cheaper
than Australian grown hardwoods, such as Jarrah & Spotted Gum
Recommended for
exterior decking
Disadvantages:
Not many!
It is high in
tannins, so it can “leak” red sap. This can stain anything underneath or
in close proximity.
Not recommended
for fences or decking around sandstone
Highly oily –
it needs to be “seasoned” for at least 6 – 12 months before effectively
applying a sealer or stain.
Some places
stress the point that they are selling “kiln dried” Merbau.
What does this
imply? That it will not bleed? Not true!
If it looks furry or rough on the edges,
it is not kiln dried.
The timber is
dried BEFORE it is profiled. This is to reduce furring.
Kiln drying
will not stop the tannin leaking out of the timber
Be very careful
what you are buying. Some retailers sell CHEAPER mixed species as
Merbau.
Some are
passing off Kapur, Belian, Yellow Balau, Bangkirai, and Batu.
Merbau is also
known as Kwila.
Don’t be fooled
& INSIST on DNA certified decking.
Available sizes:
70 x 19
Use for
exterior decking.
Recommended
joist spacing 450 – 500mm
90 x 19
Ideal for
larger decks
Recommended
joist spacing 450 – 500mm
140 x 19
Ideal for pool
decks & wharf style decks
Recommended
joist spacing 500 – 600mm
Red
Balau
Red Balau is
the next best thing to Merbau. It is very similar in colour, durability
and density.
It has a nice pinkie - red tinge, a bit
like Rosewood - rather than the muddy browns of Merbau.
Advantages:
The Red Balau
we sell is kiln dried. This means it does not need to be further
seasoned.
It does not
leach red sap.
It is ideal for
feature fences or landscape applications.
It is
sustainably harvested
Disadvantages
As it is a dry
product, it needs to be sealed immediately.
We only have
limited stock.
The USA buys
99% of all Red Balau.
They spot a
good thing and snap it up!
Available sizes:
70 x 19
Use for any
exterior decking.
Recommended
joist spacing 450 – 500mm
We are out of
stock of 90mm Red Balau decking
Mixed
Species
As the name
suggests, it can include a variety of species of various sources &
species
We can buy this
by the pack lot, but usually will not stock this products, due to varying
performance and durability
Softwood Decking
As the name suggests, it is “soft wood”
It is soft
It is made from wood
grown from trees
99% of all softwood is
plantation grown
It is not naturally
durable, so it need preservation
As mentioned in other
parts of this website, we consider Tanalith E to be the best treatment chemical
for Australian conditions.
This treated timber is
marketed as EcoWood™.
EcoWood Decking
Advantages:
·
100% Plantation
grown.
·
Australian or NZ sourced.
·
Approved for use as a decking
·
Safe for children
·
Can use galvanised fixtures (Unlike ACQ)
·
Cheaper than hardwood(less than 35%)
Disadvantages:
·
It is softer than hardwood.
·
Not as strong as hardwood.
·
Recommended joist spacing 350 – 400mm
BEWARE – many so called “bargain” suppliers are ILLEGALLY selling CCA “timber slats” as
decking. The government changed the rules, but does not enforce them.
Your safety is at risk! Your children are at risk! CCA was banned for use
as decking. Some smart a$$e suppliers think they can get around the
rules. Yes, technically (may think) they can, but they KNOW the end use;
therefore the description as “slats” is not legal.
If you find CCA sold as decking, report the supplier to the EPA
& Consumer affairs.
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