Decking Timber – Deckboards
There are three broad groups of decking timber:
- Hardwood decking (sometimes called hardwood timber),
- Treated pine decking (sometimes called softwood decking),
- Composite decking (sometimes called plastic decking).
Hardwood Decking – Deckboards
For decks in Melbourne, the most commonly used decking material is hardwood decking.
Popular species of hardwood decking include merbau decking (also known as kwila decking), spotted gum decking and blackbutt decking.
The merbau decking is sourced from South East Asia. It’s standard size is 90x19mm. This means that it is 90mm wide and 19mm thick. Other sizes also available include 140x19mm, 140x25mm, 140x35mm.
The spotted gum decking and blackbutt decking is sourced from Queensland. It’s standard size is 86x19mm. Other sizes also available are 135x19mm.
The above species of hardwood decking all have a class durability rating of 1. This means that their expected life is around 25-30 years.
Suggestion – When choosing a hardwood decking material, remember to see whether your proposed hardwood decking species can also be used for your balustrade or handrail, timber stairs, privacy screens, planter boxes and decking oil. Since not all hardwood decking species are readily available for all applications, all year round.
Treated Pine Decking – Deckboards
For decking Melbourne, the second most commonly used decking material is treated pine decking.
The treated pine decking is sourced from Queensland. It’s standard size is 90x22mm . This means that it is 90mm wide and 22m thick. Other sizes also available include 140x21mm.
Treated pine decking has a class durability rating of 4. This means that it’s expected life is around 10-15 years.
Composite Decking – (Plastic Decking)
For decks in Melbourne, the third most commonly used decking material is composite decking. Composite decking is increasing in popularity as it requires no oiling, does not rot and is termite resistant.
Popular types of composite decking include modwood decking, future wood and ekodeck (also called eco deck).
Modwood decking is predominately made of recycled plastic milk bottles and pine dust (ie saw dust).
Modwood decking comes in various colours and two sizes, being 88x23mm and 137x23mm.
Future wood makes Cleverdeck composite decking. It also comes in a variety of colours and two sizes being 86x23mm and 138x23mm.
Ekodeck (also known as eco deck) also comes in a variety of colours and two sizes being 88x23mm and 137x23mm.
Suggestion – When choosing a composite decking material, remember to see whether your proposed composite decking material can also be used for your balustrade or handrail, timber stairs, privacy screens and planter boxes. Since not all composite decking types are available for use, other than for deckboards.
