Merbau Decking
Merbau decking is a particularly popular type of hardwood material from South East Asia. It goes by a host of different names – from Kwila to Ipil to Scrub Mahogany and more – but the end result is always the same. Thanks to a wide range of different benefits that it brings to the table, it is commonly used in both construction environments and for both indoor and outdoor furniture.
What is Merbau Decking?
Merbau decking is commonly characterised from the unique yellowish to orange-brown colour that it holds. Because of the yellow “flecking” that the material’s pores contained, it almost looks like it is flecked with gold once it has been treated and finished at the end of a project.
The Benefits of Merbau
There are a host of unique properties that, when added together, make Merbau one of the best choices that you can make as far as your next deck project is concerned. For starters, Merbau is very environmentally friendly – because it requires little energy to produce and can be easily recycled, it’s a great option for people who both want a beautiful deck and who want to do their part to help the environment at the same time.
In terms of safety, you’ll also be pleased to know that Merbau is one of the only timbers available on the market today that meets Australian Standard AS 3959 fire resistant standards WITHOUT any type of additional treatment, making it a great choice for those building in bush fire prone zones.
Perhaps the biggest benefit that Merbau brings to the table (or the deck), however, is one of versatility. Because of its natural high density, Merbau decking is an excellent choice for external, exposed applications – which is exactly what your deck would be. It’s also one of the most hard, durable and ultimately sturdy flooring options available on the market today. It has a high Janka rating and is resistant to most insects.
One of the things you’ll need to keep in mind, however, is that Merbau will go grey over time if it is left untreated. As one of the major drawing points of this type of decking is its unique colour, you’ll want to regularly oil your deck to help preserve its original intensity for as long as possible.
Fowles Decking Timbers
Regardless of the type of decking material that you choose, Fowles is pleased to be your premiere source for all of your Merbau decking and other needs moving forward. In addition to our weekly timber and building materials auctions (where you can score huge discounts over suggested retail prices on Merbau and all other types of common building materials), you can also see our materials showroom to help you get an idea of how something will look and feel in a real world environment BEFORE you make any particular decision.
Even if you just want someone to lend an ear and discuss the finer points of your next big project with you, Fowles will be everything you need us to be and more. To find out more information, contact Fowles today.