Timber Decking - What is best ??

[kia ora storm]

Hi Guys;

I am looking to build a timber deck out the back of my house with a pergola etc.

Which timber is best to use ??...treated pine or merbau ??.

Cheers

Kia

[stuke]

i've used merbau....comes up a treat with a natural stain over the top. treated pine probably would have worked out a bit cheaper though, but for looks merbau won hands down.

[roopy]

treated pine isn't as good as it was because they banned arsenic as a treating agent a few years ago, so it lasts half as long now.
that's all i know.

[melon....]

Originally Posted by kia ora storm

Hi Guys;

I am looking to build a timber deck out the back of my house with a pergola etc.

Which timber is best to use ??...treated pine or merbau ??.

Cheers

Kia

I did mine about 6 months ago. New Deck going out to Pool. Salt water proof and great looking tough finish = Merbau. Go teh Merbau.

Its all in the prep though. Youll need a 4 litre tin of stain to enrich the colour. Youll need 2 coats. Apply Liberally. After each coat dries, youll need a bucket of soap solution in water and a scrubbing brush (nylon bristles). Scrub the thick excessive film off the first coat. Repeat for the second.

After a couple of days, lay the deck.

Once laid, give it a quick light sand with 240 grade paper.

Wash down and dry. Then apply 3 coats of Deck Oil. It will seal the Merbau. I have some photos Ill post soon It looks 10 times better than Pine.

[kia ora storm]

Originally Posted by melon....

I did mine about 6 months ago. New Deck going out to Pool. Salt water proof and great looking tough finish = Merbau. Go teh Merbau.

Its all in the prep though. Youll need a 4 litre tin of stain to enrich the colour. Youll need 2 coats. Apply Liberally. After each coat dries, youll need a bucket of soap solution in water and a scrubbing brush (nylon bristles). Scrub the thick excessive film off the first coat. Repeat for the second.

After a couple of days, lay the deck.

Once laid, give it a quick light sand with 240 grade paper.

Wash down and dry. Then apply 3 coats of Deck Oil. It will seal the Merbau. I have some photos Ill post soon It looks 10 times better than Pine.

Cheers Melon..will PM you over the weekend to ask a few more questions.

[kia ora storm]

Thanks for the advice all...will go with Merbau.

[Twizzle]

good move

the pine that is around now days is only good for about 5 years before it bows and fractures

[ozbash]

the pine that is around now days is only good for about 5 years before it bows and fractures

gee you must have crappy trees over there, we get 30 years out of a deck..

[kia ora storm]

Originally Posted by ozbash

gee you must have crappy trees over there, we get 30 years out of a deck..

Watch how you pronouce "deck" oz...they might get funny ideas.

[Medievalknight]

Originally Posted by kia ora storm

Watch how you pronouce "deck" oz...they might get funny ideas.

At least it would be long lasting (every girls dream )

[JoeD]

merbau (we call it kwila in nz) is generally overpriced (because it has a recognised name) and not that great, there are better cheaper timbers available. it also bleeds so it will stain any concrete you have around the deck. there is also the fact that regardless of what they say it is probably not being sustainably logged.
If i was doing a deck I would go for Vitex as it is cheaper, more likely to be sourced sustainably, doesn't bleed and will probably last longer than merbau.

Edit: Another tip - shop around and try and buy direct from a timber importer.

[Earl]

treated pine will cost you about $2.50 per lineal metre where as merbau has doubled in price lately due to its popularity and will set you back around $5.50 per metre.

the merbau being a hardwood will generally last longer, but the treated pine will last just as long, as long as you mantain it ie stain, oil or paint it every 12 months, compared to probably every 36 months with the merbau.