Bring The Natural Hues And Warmth Of Wood To Your Space With Merbau Decking

Many homeowners choose to incorporate natural elements into the layout of their houses because of several distinct qualities. Using materials such as stone and wood can make residents feel closer to the outdoors and eliminate the artificial, mass-produced feel of synthetic products. Much of the available natural building materials today are taken from sustainable resources, giving homeowners peace of mind about their carbon footprint. Plus, wood and stone provide both warm and cool characteristics to a space from their natural colour palettes and textures.

For beaches and harbour areas, wood is also a popular choice for building materials. These locations typically feature decks extending from commercial establishments, in boardwalks, or as part of the landscaping. Decks are made from a variety of hardwoods, softwoods, or wood-plastic composites, although the more popular materials include Western red cedar, mahogany, and teak. For a beautiful polished look, builders often make use of Merbeau decking for enhancing outdoor spaces.

Merbau is the term used for wood taken from the Intsia bijuga species of flowering trees native to Australia, Tanzania, Madagascar, and the Pacific island of Samoa. This type of wood offers a wide range of colour options, from deep brown or burgundy to orange-brown to yellowish-brown. The characteristic oily surface of merbau makes it especially attractive because of its unique, sophisticated lustre that can last for decades. Builders must take note, however, that this wood is known to "bleed" or release its excess natural oils when it is first exposed to dew or rain.

Spotted gum deckingis also widely used for outdoor architecture primarily because of its ability to tolerate harsh weather conditions. Its colour variations are well-loved, too; they can appear to have a soft cream hue, a light golden brown colour, or a deep red or a rich chocolate brown tone. The "spotted" description comes from the soft mottled colour produced from the weathering experienced by the tree as it sheds strips of bark. Spotted gum is one of the hardest timbers in the world and also has one of the highest pH values among hardwoods-this means that bolts used in building with this wood corrode at a much slower rate.

Treated pine decking, on the other hand, uses wood from regular Radiata pine. It is popular because of the consistency in the timber and its affordability despite providing the look of expensive hardwood decking. The pine is a type of softwood and is naturally porous; therefore, it must be treated with special chemicals and dried out completely to improve its resistance to termites, fungi, and normal decay. Yellow pine lumber can also be used for decking after being treated with copper-based preservatives to protect against rot and pests.

Wood never fails to give an earthy yet sophisticated quality to homes, commercial establishments, and outdoor architectural features. Choosing the right type of wood and considering each one's colour palettes, sources, and relative strength against various elements can lead you to the best type of material for your building needs.