Merbau Decking Perth
A well-built deck can add so much to a home. From a spot for entertaining guests to a quiet afternoon with the weekend paper, it offers many benefits.
Merbau (also known as kwila) is an Australian timber species tough enough to handle the harsh conditions of our climate. It’s even bushfire-resistant and has the highest natural durability rating.
Durability
As the underlying lumber that supports decking materials, treated timber is often used in projects. This means that decking materials must conform to the structural demands of this wood or they won’t work well. Luckily, both composite and timber decking materials can be glued or screwed into this material, so design options are quite similar when they’re compared side by side.
Jarrah, a West Australian native hardwood, is highly regarded by carpenters for its unique beauty and resilience compared to other timbers. It’s also termite, fungus and rot resistant and has a very good weathering and durability rating.
Spotted gum is another Australian native timber that’s popular for decking. Like jarrah, it’s suitable for bushfire prone areas and has a good durability rating. However, it is naturally tannin rich and must be washed and sealed to prevent bleeds when exposed to moisture. This can be a problem if you’re planning to lay paving, walls or concrete nearby your deck, as these may be stained by the leaching timber.
Strength
A merbau deck is one of the most durable hardwood options. It has natural resistance to termites and rot, and can withstand the harsh Australian climate. It also has a unique reddish-brown colour that deepens over time, making it a popular choice for decking, pergolas, gazebos, and fences.
Merbau is a Class 1 Hardwood, meaning that it has a high level of durability and strength. It is not prone to twisting or warping, and will last for over 40 years in above-ground applications. It is also a dense timber, which makes it ideal for bushfire-prone areas.
It is also a popular choice for flooring and timber furniture. Its rich red hues and wood grain give any space a classic look. However, like all natural timbers, merbau will fade and discolour over time. To maintain its appearance, it is important to oil it regularly. It is a good idea to do this at least every 6 months.
Appearance
Merbau is a beautiful hardwood timber that is often used in decking, furniture and other woodwork. It is a dense timber with a low expansion/shrinkage rate. It also has a low tannin content, which means it does not bleed like some other native timbers, such as jarrah and blackbutt.
It is easy to work with and does not splinter, making it suitable for children’s play areas. It is also termite-resistant, which makes it a great choice for construction in termite-prone Western Australia, where it can help prevent structural damage that can cost millions of dollars.
Merbau decking is available in either non-finger jointed or finger jointed varieties. The latter are typically made of shorter timber lengths glued together end-to-end, which is not recommended as it can cause several problems, including increased risk of moisture damage. In addition, it is not as durable as non-finger jointed merbau. A non-finger jointed merbau deck will last longer, especially when regularly treated with oil.
Maintenance
As with all timber decking, merbau must be regularly maintained and oiled to prevent the effects of weather and UV damage. A standard yearly clean will help extend the life of your timber, and as well as being aesthetically pleasing, regular oiling helps to increase water resistance and durability.
Merbau is a popular choice of many deck builders due to its unique dark red colour and beautiful wood grain. Its resilience compared to other hardwoods is also highly respected. It has an excellent termite rating and is suitable for a variety of uses around the home.
Merbau is harvested from forests in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. The large trees take a long time to mature, making it hard to harvest the wood in an ethical and sustainable manner. As such, a number of concerns have been raised about the sustainability of the timber. Timber Decking Supply Shed only use merbau that has been given SVLK (Timber Legality Verification System) accreditation by the Ministry of Forestry in Indonesia.
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