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If you are deciding on having timber for your deck, you can try Merbau. It is popular around Australia, and there are reasons for that. This hardwood is tough, looks great, and can withstand Australia’s harsh climate. No wonder we get asked about Merbau at AT Pine frequently.
A tropical hardwood that comes from Southeast Asia and Pacific islands, Merbau is gorgeous, reddish-brown in colour. It has dense timber and can fight rot and termites well, without chemical treatment. It is extensively used for decking, boardwalks, and pergolas.
However, before you go for the Merbau decking option, let us evaluate its pros and cons, which can help you decide whether it is right for you.
The Reason Behind Its Popularity
There are several reasons behind the popularity of Merbau. Perhaps the chief among them is its durability. Its timber has natural oils that make it resistant to rot, termites, and fungal decay. You don’t need to treat Merbau timber with chemicals to keep it from rotting outdoors, which is a major plus.
If you live anywhere near the coast or in a humid part of the country, you will know how quickly moisture and bugs can destroy softer timbers. Merbau just shrugs them off. With a bit of basic upkeep, a Merbau deck can easily last you decades. If you need a deck that is going to stay flat and true for years, having Merbau timber decking can be a wise choice.
Merbau isn’t just durable, it is also seriously strong. It can withstand heavy foot traffic and frequent dragging. Because it is so dense, it is less likely to warp or twist over time compared to lighter timbers. If you want timber that would handle whatever the Aussie climate throws at it without falling apart, Merbau timber can be the right option.
When you buy Merbau decking, chances are that the aesthetics of your home environment will improve. Those deep, warm tones can give your outdoor area a really sophisticated vibe. But if you want to keep that rich brown colour, a coat of oil or stain once or twice a year will do the trick. If you leave it natural, its colour will weather to a lovely silver-grey patina that plenty of people love.
Hardwoods generally do better in bushfire situations than softwoods, and Merbau is no exception. It has got a high ignition point and burns slowly, thanks to its density. It is not fireproof, but if you are in a fire-prone area, Merbau definitely is a safer bet to have than untreated softwood.
The Downsides of Merbau
In this world, nothing is perfect, and Merbau, too, has its drawbacks. Firstly, Merbau decking isn’t cheap. It is a hardwood, dense, and imported, and all these factors contribute to its not-so-low price. If you are working with a tight budget, you need to introspect a bit seriously before choosing Merbau, especially for larger decks.
Treated pine will give you solid performance at a fraction of the cost of Merbau. It is worth weighing up whether the extra dollars spent on Merbau is justified for your particular project or not.
While Merbau is naturally tough, keeping it looking like it did when you first installed it requires regular maintenance. If you want to preserve that beautiful,deep brown look, you would need to oil or seal it at least once or twice a year.
Now, if you are happy to let it go grey naturally, you can skip the maintenance. Just know that the appearance of Merbau will change over time if you do nothing.
As Merbau is so dense, it is tougher to cut, nail, and screw than softer timbers like pine. If you are dealing with Merbau on a regular basis, your tools will dull faster, and you will need decent-quality blades and drill bits.
For the average DIYer without professional-grade gear, this could be a frustrating experience, at times. One can say that Merbau takes longer and requires more effort on average than working with pine.
Then there are sustainability issues to consider, too. Merbau comes from tropical forests, and not all of it is harvested responsibly. There have been issues with illegal logging and deforestation in some of the regions where it grows.
If you decide to buy Merbau decking, do yourself a favour and check where it is coming from. Look for suppliers who can prove their timber is certified and comes from sustainable, legally managed forests.
At Australian Treated Pine, we reckon transparency matters, and we are always happy to talk through where our hardwoods are sourced.
Merbau vs Treated Pine: The Quick Version
Here are their comparative advantages and disadvantages.
Cost: Merbau is pricy, pine is budget-friendly.
Durability: Merbau is excellent naturally, pine is good with proper treatment.
Rot Resistance: Merbau has it built-in, in pine it depends on treatment quality.
Maintenance: Both need upkeep if you want to maintain colour.
Workability: Pine is much easier to work with.
Appearance: Merbau looks premium, pine is more utilitarian in character.
Sustainability: Depends on the source for both, but pine can be locally grown and certified.
For most home projects, treated pine is the preferred choice. It is affordable, easy to install, and does the job well. Merbau leans into the premium end of things, both in performance and appearance.
You should consider Merbau decking if you want a high-end finish with rich colour and texture, if your deck will be exposed to serious moisture or termite pressure, if the deck’s longevity is a priority for you, if you are comfortable with regular maintenance or like the natural weathered look, and if you have got the tools and skills to work with hardwood.
Go with treated pine if you are on a tight budget, want easy installation with standard tools, prefer the look of pine, or you are building something functional where hardwood qualities aren’t as critical.
Tips for Working with Merbau
If you do go ahead with Merbau, keep these points in mind. Always pre-drill your holes to avoid splitting; use stainless steel or corrosion-resistant fixings, as Merbau’s oils can react with plain steel; oil or seal regularly if you want to keep the colour; and store your timber off the ground and covered before installation.
The Bottom Line
Merbau decking has real advantages for outdoor projects that need durability and a premium look. But it is not the answer for every deck, particularly if budget and ease of installation are among your top considerations.
We have seen both Merbau and treated pine deliver great results over the years. The right choice depends on what you are trying to achieve, what you are willing to spend, and how you want your outdoor space to look and perform down the track.
Merbau offers durability, strength, and aesthetics, and treated pine offers value for money and versatility, but ensure you make the decision based on your actual needs, not just what is trendy. Then only you will have a greater chance of ending up with a deck you will be happy with for years to come.
