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As one of the leading decking suppliers in Melbourne, we have spent almost three decades in the industry, providing trade professionals and DIY handymen with some of the best timber in the country. And during this time, we’ve had the privilege of handling a range of different timbers and getting to know the quality of each individual species, including how long does timber decking lasts.
At Australian Treated Pine, we love two particular timbers more than any other, and these are merbau decking and treated pine decking.
While both are timber, merbau can be best described as a premium, dense hardwood, while treated pine is a pressure-treated softwood. Merbau is endowed with natural durability and has impressive resistance to rot, weathering, and termites. Treated pine requires chemical pressure-treatment to prevent decay and invasion by insects.
Each has its own strengths, which we will cover today, along with which one lasts longer (if you’re interested in either, you can buy decking online at our store).
#1: Merbau Decking
Merbau decking is an extremely durable and high-quality hardwood that people love to work with. Despite being a hardwood, it cuts and fastens extremely easily and has a deep red finish that ages beautifully and only gets finer with time.
Imported from Southeast Asia, merbau is one of the hardest and most sturdy timber species growing on the earth today. The fact is, it’s so durable and rugged that in order to harvest, process and manufacture it, special machinery is required.
In most cases, timber needs to be treated thoroughly after harvesting in order to preserve it. Merbau on the other hand has powerful natural preservation properties. It contains a wealth of oils within the wood that prevent it from cracking, splitting and shrinking.
What makes it unique is that it bends and turns easily, which is unusual for most hardwoods. Any experienced woodworker familiar with merabu will attest to how malleable it is and just how much workability it provides. To top it off, merbau is bushfire resistant.
It’s actually one of the only seven timbers approved for use in regions of Australia that are known to be bushfire prone. How’s that for longevity?!
Overall, Merbau decking has been known to withstand up to 40 years of life in a home before becoming susceptible to decay. In some cases, decay may start around 15 years, which considering that the timber can be used untreated—is a long time.
For more details about merbau timber decking, check out our previous post titled “5 facts you didn’t know about merbau decking.”
#2: Treated Pine Decking
Treated pine decking is another favourite of ours for many reasons. Firstly, the greatest strength of treated pine decking is that it’s versatile. It’s such an easy timber to match with any colour scheme or design as it can be stained or painted in a wide variety of ways and blend into most settings.
Treated pine is actually one of the few timbers with this capability. Another strength of treated pine is its cost economy. It’s a simple timber that allows you to keep some change in your wallet. If you love the way treated pine looks and feels, the money savings are a welcome bonus.
Not unlike merbau decking, treated pine is easy work with (granted it’s not a hardwood, but a softwood). Pine has no difficulty in taking nails or screws and requires little effort to do so. Another thing to keep in mind is that recently there has been a shortage of timber in Australia, though treated pine seems to be the exception to the rule. Due to the rate at which pine grows, it is proving reliable in meeting demand.
Compared to merbau, treated pine still has great longevity, lasting between 15-20 years. Considering the price difference between merbau and treated pine, you definitely get the lifespan you pay for.
Getting the Most Out of Your Deck
Knowing how long your deck should last is only half the story. The longevity of your deck comes down to how it’s looked after, the conditions it’s exposed to, and a bit of know-how about when to step in.
Here is what else is worth knowing before you commit to merbau decking or treated pine decking.
Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Deck
Both merbau and treated pine decking will reward you with a bit of regular attention. A thorough clean twice a year, using a deck-specific cleaner, keeps grime, leaf litter and mould from settling into the grain.
Mould and organic build-up hold moisture against the boards, which is one of the fastest ways to shorten a deck’s life.
Oiling is where the two timbers differ. Merbau benefits from an oil re-application roughly once a year to keep that deep, rich red colour and to stop the surface greying off in the sun.
However, Merbau is notorious in the construction industry for intense tannin bleeding when it gets wet. The dark reddish-brown oil will leach out and can permanently stain surrounding concrete, pavers, or tiles if left unwashed.
Treated pine, especially if it has been stained or painted, generally needs a fresh coat every two to three years, though it’s worth checking annually for any flaking or wear.
Whichever timber you have opted for, it pays to check fixings, joists and the underside of the boards once a year too, since problems there are often the first sign of trouble and are far cheaper to fix early.
How Melbourne’s Climate Affects Your Deck?
Anyone shopping for timber decking Melbourne-wide will know our weather doesn’t do things by halves. We get harsh UV in summer, sudden downpours, and plenty of temperature swings in between, and all of that puts real demands on outdoor timber.
Merbau’s natural oils give it a real edge here, helping it resist the swelling and shrinking that comes with Melbourne’s changeable seasons. Treated pine holds up well too, but because it is a softwood, it’s a little more reliant on a proper seal being maintained to keep moisture out during wetter stretches.
If your deck sits in a spot that gets full sun for most of the day, or one that stays shaded and damp, factor that into your maintenance schedule, since both extremes can accelerate wear if left unchecked.
Signs Your Deck Needs Attention
Boards that feel soft or spongy underfoot, a grey, dry appearance that doesn’t respond to cleaning, nails or screws working themselves loose, and any dark staining that could point to fungal growth are a few things to keep an eye out for.
Catching these early will sort things out. Left unattended, though, they can turn into a full board replacement. A yearly walk-around inspection is honestly the simplest way to protect your investment in timber decking.
Merbau vs Treated Pine
It is worth looking beyond the sticker price when weighing up these two. The comparative advantages of merbau and treated pine are given below:
- Price: Treated pine costs less upfront and is budget-friendly. Merbau is costlier, but, on average, has a longer lifespan than treated pine.
- Maintenance: Though Merbau requires oiling every 6-12 months, it can tackle neglect better than treated pine, provided there is no structural failure. Treated pine, on the other hand, needs cleaning on a regular basis and also re-staining every 1–2 years to safeguard it against warping and splintering.
- Sustainability: Treated pine is the better option of the two in terms of environmental impact. It is a fast-growing, plantation-grown softwood, making it a more renewable option. Treated pine doesn’t put much pressure on natural forests. Merbau, being a slower-growing hardwood sourced from Southeast Asia, is worth sourcing only from suppliers who can confirm sustainable and legal harvesting practices.
Edge of Sustainability
Asking your supplier about certification is a smart step for anyone who wants their timber decking Melbourne project to align with their environmental values and budget.
Whichever way you lean, both timbers can deliver a deck that lasts for decades provided it is chosen thoughtfully and looked after properly.
Getting advice from an experienced timber supplier before you buy is one of the easiest ways to make sure the timber you choose suits your budget, your climate, and how much upkeep you are realistically willing to put in each year.
Have you got any experience with merbau decking or treated pine decking? Leave a comment below and let us know.
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FAQs
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What factors influence the lifespan of timber decking?The type of timber, the quality of its treatment, its climate exposure, its installation standards and how well you maintain the timber contribute to the timber decking’s lifespan.
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Which timber species lasts the longest for decking?Merbau is one of the most durable decking timber options. Often Merbau decks, with proper care, last for 40 years, largely because of its natural oils and high density. Generally, treated pine decks last 15-20 years, offering excellent value for money.
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Does untreated timber have less longevity than treated timber?Yes, because treated timber is more resistant to rot, infestation and moisture damage than untreated timber. Therefore, we can easily say that treated timber is likely to have more longevity than untreated timber.
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How often should timber decking be maintained?A timber deck should be thoroughly cleaned twice a year. Also check the fixing and boards annually. Frequency of oiling or resealing depends on the species of timber – once a year for merbau, two to three years for treated pine.
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Can regular maintenance extend the life of a timber deck?One needs to do cleaning, resealing, and carry out inspections at regular intervals to prevent moisture buildup and UV damage, to increase the lifespan of a timber deck.
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How does the unpredictable climate of Australia adversely impact timber decking’s longevity?Australia’s sudden downpours and erratic temperatures place much pressure on outdoor timber. Harsh sun tends to dry and grey the boards, whereas moisture, if left unchecked, quickens the rot.
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What are the signs that timber decking needs replacing?If the boards are soft or spongy, if there is persistent greying that cleaning won’t fix, if there are loose fixings and dark staining from fungal growth, and visible splitting or rot, these are indications that the timber decking needs to be replaced.
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How can I protect my timber deck from rot and decay?Keeping your deck clean, ensuring that the deck has good drainage and airflow underneath, carrying out resealing or oiling at regular intervals, and addressing any moisture issues without delay are some useful measures to safeguard the timber deck from early rot and decay. However, using quality treated timber also gives your deck a natural defence against rot and decay.
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Does sealing or staining increase the lifespan of timber decking?Two of the major reasons of timber decay are timber’s exposure to UV rays and moisture. Sealing and staining can enable the timber decking to better safeguard itself against UV rays and moisture. Applying them on a regular basis can help prevent cracking, greying and rot, thereby increasing the lifespan of your deck.
