Who's On Deck? 5 Hardwoods Suited to the Australian Climate
When it comes to hardwood decking, the species you choose can be the difference between a complete disaster and years of enjoyment
Josh Harrison
26 March 2015
Houzz contributor based in Sydney and owner of Harrison's Landscaping and The Balcony Garden. I started Harrison's Landscaping the day after I finished my apprentice at 22 years of age. Since then, the business has grown into a company of 30+ amazing people with four divisions: design, construction, pools and maintenance.
Thanks to the quality of our staff who share my love of gardens, Harrison's has experienced great success, including multiple magazine covers, a garden featured on Grand Designs Australia and a best show Gold Medal at the Australian Garden Show Sydney in 2014.
Houzz contributor based in Sydney and owner of Harrison's Landscaping and The Balcony... More
Hardwood decking has become synonymous with the Australian lifestyle – it’s just another way we utilise the great outdoors. If you’re currently looking to make the addition to your home, it’s important to note that choosing the best decking for your situation is largely dependent on the species of hardwood you use. In Australia, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to good quality hardwoods; unfortunately that only makes the decisions harder. Here are my top five hardwoods that are well-suited to the unique Australian climate.
1. Spotted gum
One of the most commonly used Australian hardwoods, spotted gum, is loved by designers and architects the world over for its beautiful grain structure and attractive markings.
I love spotted gum and use it for 90 per cent of my projects. It’s tough, performs well in the unpredictable Australian climate and it’s also a minimal staining timber as it’s less prone to bleed tannins than other species.
Generally, I’ll just use a natural timber oil without any tint to treat the decking, as the last thing you want to do is take away from that naturally beautiful appearance.
If you’re looking to create that wow factor with your new deck, try using wide board (136 x 25mm) spotted gum screwed down using 14 gauge 75mm stainless steel screws – it gives the appearance of a jetty or wharf and looks absolutely stunning.
One of the most commonly used Australian hardwoods, spotted gum, is loved by designers and architects the world over for its beautiful grain structure and attractive markings.
I love spotted gum and use it for 90 per cent of my projects. It’s tough, performs well in the unpredictable Australian climate and it’s also a minimal staining timber as it’s less prone to bleed tannins than other species.
Generally, I’ll just use a natural timber oil without any tint to treat the decking, as the last thing you want to do is take away from that naturally beautiful appearance.
If you’re looking to create that wow factor with your new deck, try using wide board (136 x 25mm) spotted gum screwed down using 14 gauge 75mm stainless steel screws – it gives the appearance of a jetty or wharf and looks absolutely stunning.
2. Teak
Teak may have very well found itself on the top of my list of hardwoods … if it didn’t come with the high price tag.
Out of all the hardwoods on this list, teak is the best performing. It’s great to work with, holds nails and screws tight and will last up to 40 years in above-ground applications. Teak also performs great in the Australian climate.
A popular choice for furniture, teak has a beautiful pale colour that reacts well to mild staining and oiling.
I don’t do many teak decks, simply due to its price tag. While it performs well and literally lasts half a lifetime, it’s often hard to persuade my clients to fork out the cash for such expensive timber.
Teak may have very well found itself on the top of my list of hardwoods … if it didn’t come with the high price tag.
Out of all the hardwoods on this list, teak is the best performing. It’s great to work with, holds nails and screws tight and will last up to 40 years in above-ground applications. Teak also performs great in the Australian climate.
A popular choice for furniture, teak has a beautiful pale colour that reacts well to mild staining and oiling.
I don’t do many teak decks, simply due to its price tag. While it performs well and literally lasts half a lifetime, it’s often hard to persuade my clients to fork out the cash for such expensive timber.
3. Blackbutt
Blackbutt provides great fire resistance and depending on which state you live in, may even be on the list of approved hardwoods for fire zones.
As far as performance goes, blackbutt is great to work with and very durable. It performs well in the Australian climate and doesn’t tend to warp and split.
One issue with blackbutt is its tendency to take on a yellowish or pinkish tinge once oiled. I’ve stopped using natural timber oil on blackbutt and have started using an oil with a silver tint. This ensures the timber is protected and also maintains its beautiful natural colour.
Blackbutt provides great fire resistance and depending on which state you live in, may even be on the list of approved hardwoods for fire zones.
As far as performance goes, blackbutt is great to work with and very durable. It performs well in the Australian climate and doesn’t tend to warp and split.
One issue with blackbutt is its tendency to take on a yellowish or pinkish tinge once oiled. I’ve stopped using natural timber oil on blackbutt and have started using an oil with a silver tint. This ensures the timber is protected and also maintains its beautiful natural colour.
4. Grey ironbark
While grey ironbark has a beautiful silvery grey colour, it’s unfortunately a very brittle timber to work with. It performs well in areas not exposed to the elements, however it struggles in areas that receive rain and sunshine, which is often typical of the unpredictable Australian climate.
Grey ironbark is a very heavy timber and due to its denseness, it can be difficult to work with. In fact, you’ll notice that dressed surfaces actually take on a silvery steel sheen.
I’ve had great success with grey ironbark in areas protected from direct sun and rain, however, having said that, I’ve also seen grey ironbark splinter and split in areas totally exposed to the weather.
Take a look around this house
While grey ironbark has a beautiful silvery grey colour, it’s unfortunately a very brittle timber to work with. It performs well in areas not exposed to the elements, however it struggles in areas that receive rain and sunshine, which is often typical of the unpredictable Australian climate.
Grey ironbark is a very heavy timber and due to its denseness, it can be difficult to work with. In fact, you’ll notice that dressed surfaces actually take on a silvery steel sheen.
I’ve had great success with grey ironbark in areas protected from direct sun and rain, however, having said that, I’ve also seen grey ironbark splinter and split in areas totally exposed to the weather.
Take a look around this house
5. Merbau
Although merbau is often a contentious choice, it’s still a very popular hardwood, derived largely from South East Asia, as well as Papua New Guinea.
The reason many people opt to use another hardwood over merbau has nothing to do with its performance or durability. Unfortunately, merbau is harvested from tropical forests, and, in some cases, may come from illegally-sourced suppliers. I always recommend checking with your supplier to make sure their merbau is certified and is sourced from a legitimate supplier using ethical practices.
Enough about the bad side of merbau, here’s the good stuff. Merbau is an excellent performing hardwood and is perfectly suited to the Australian climate. If you’re after a red-coloured hardwood, merbau is the perfect option.
One thing to mention whenever using merbau is to NEVER use it near light-coloured tiles or pavers, as the timber is one of the worst when it comes to leeching tannins. I always recommend pre-oiling merbau twice before installation to reduce leeching.
TELL US
Are you happy with your hardwood decking? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
17 Decks That Deliver
How to Build the Best Deck to Suit Your Lifestyle
30 Stunning Decks – From Seaside to Countryside
Although merbau is often a contentious choice, it’s still a very popular hardwood, derived largely from South East Asia, as well as Papua New Guinea.
The reason many people opt to use another hardwood over merbau has nothing to do with its performance or durability. Unfortunately, merbau is harvested from tropical forests, and, in some cases, may come from illegally-sourced suppliers. I always recommend checking with your supplier to make sure their merbau is certified and is sourced from a legitimate supplier using ethical practices.
Enough about the bad side of merbau, here’s the good stuff. Merbau is an excellent performing hardwood and is perfectly suited to the Australian climate. If you’re after a red-coloured hardwood, merbau is the perfect option.
One thing to mention whenever using merbau is to NEVER use it near light-coloured tiles or pavers, as the timber is one of the worst when it comes to leeching tannins. I always recommend pre-oiling merbau twice before installation to reduce leeching.
TELL US
Are you happy with your hardwood decking? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
17 Decks That Deliver
How to Build the Best Deck to Suit Your Lifestyle
30 Stunning Decks – From Seaside to Countryside
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Hi Josh - I came across this post as I'm doing timber research for our decking. We are keen for something that greys-off over time, so looking at Blackbutt and Tallowwood. Is one vs the other better in a highly exposed area when it comes to leaching and cupping/splitting? Many thanks, Jenny
How about a Low maintenance option that comes grey already? No twisting, warping or need to oil!
http://millboarddeck.com.au/photo-gallery.html