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Not sure where to buy timber in Melbourne? This timber buying guide explains your options, from hardware stores to specialist suppliers. Learn how wet sawn timber, dried dressed timber and dressed treated pine differ, what they cost, how to check quality, and which timber suits your fence, deck or outdoor build. Simple, practical advice from Atpine.
Key takeaways:
- Where to buy timber in Melbourne: hardware stores, timber yards and specialist suppliers all sell it, but specialists stock a wider range and saw to custom sizes.
- This timber buying guide covers three main finishes: wet-sawn timber is raw and rustic, dried dressed timber is smooth on all sides, and dressed treated pine sits in between.
- Compare prices using the same size, length and treatment, and convert every quote to one unit.
- Check each board for bows, splits and large knots before you buy.
- Treated timber should carry a brand showing its hazard class. H3 suits outside above ground and H4 suits in the ground.
- Where to buy timber matters as much as what you buy, so confirm stock, sizes and delivery first.
Buying timber gets confusing fast. You can buy wet-sawn, dried, dressed, and treated pine in many sizes and price points. This timber buying guide shows where to buy timber in Melbourne and how to choose the right type for your job. It covers prices, quality checks and the best timber for fences, decks and outdoor builds.
Where Can You Buy Timber in Melbourne?
You can buy timber in Melbourne from hardware stores, timber yards and specialist suppliers like AT Pine. They stock a wider range, saw to custom sizes and offer online ordering with delivery or click and collect.
Timber Suppliers Near Me for Small DIY Projects
- AT Pine is at 38 Dennis St, Campbellfield, in Melbourne’s north.
- Order online, then collect from the yard or have it delivered.
- Metro Melbourne deliveries go to the kerbside. Contact us if you need another drop-off point.
- Our fence and decking calculator works out quantities before you order.
Buying Timber in Bulk for Larger Jobs
Builders, contractors and councils can order through AT Pine timber wholesale service. The sales team can help confirm quantities, sizes and timber types. AT Pine also saws to order, reducing waste from non-standard lengths.
What Types of Timber Can You Buy in Melbourne?
The three main finishes are wet-sawn timber, dried dressed timber, and dressed treated pine. They differ in surface finish and price. Rough finishes suit structural and rustic jobs, while smoother dressed timber suits decks and pergolas.
What’s the Difference Between Timber Finishes?
Here’s how the three main finishes are compared:
| Feature | Wet-sawn timber | Dried dressed timber | Dressed treated pine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface | Raw and rustic | Smooth on all sides | Smoother than wet-sawn, more textured than dried dressed |
| Drying | Not dried after treatment | Dried after treatment | Dried after treatment |
| Shrinkage | Can shrink or warp a little as it dries | Reduced shrinkage | Reduced shrinkage |
| Finishing | Let it dry before painting or sealing | Takes coatings easily | Easy to paint, fewer splinters |
| Best for | Beams, fencing, retaining walls, garden edging | Decks, outdoor areas, pergolas | Decks, outdoor areas, pergolas |
All three come in CCA or ACQ treatment.
How Much Does Timber Cost in Melbourne?
Price depends on the finish, size, length and treatment. Wet-sawn timber has the lowest starting price of the three main finishes.
Treated Timber Cost per Cubic Metre
Most timber is sold by length, not volume. To compare by cubic metre, work out how much one metre of board holds.
A 100 x 50mm board holds 0.005 cubic metres per metre, so one cubic metre is about 200 metres of that board. Multiply the price per metre by 200 to compare.
Starting prices:
| Product | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Wet sawn timber | From $1.12 |
| Dried dressed | From $2.25 |
| Dressed treated pine | From $2.84 |
| Treated pine decking | From $3.26 |
| Palings | From $1.26 |
How to Compare Prices Across Timber Species
- Compare the same size, length and treatment.
- Convert every quote to one unit, such as price per metre.
- Check what the price includes, such as treatment and delivery.
- Compare a softwood and a hardwood on one site. AT Pine stocks both treated pine and Merbau decking.
Cost-Effective Options for Bulk Fencing Timber
For fencing, palings start at $1.26, and cypress pine posts start at $14.96. Ask the team about bulk orders, as larger jobs often get better pricing.
What Should You Check Before Buying Timber?
Check each board for straightness, cracks, large knots, and damage. Then check the brand on treated timber and make sure it matches your job. Ask the supplier how the timber was treated.
Tips for Inspecting Timber Before Purchase
- Sight along each board for bows and twists.
- Look for splits at the ends and large or loose knots.
- Check sizes against your order. Rough-sawn boards can vary slightly from board to board.
- Look for mould, stains or damage from poor storage.
- Find the brand on each treated piece. Small items like palings and battens are exempt.
- Buying online? Call to confirm the exact sizes and lengths are in stock.
Certifications to Look For in Australia
Treated timber should be made to Australian Standard AS 1604.1, which also covers imported treated wood. The hazard class tells you where you can use it.
- H3 is for outside, above ground
- H4 is for outside, in the ground.
The Timber Preservers Association of Australia warns that no brand means buyer beware.
CCA-treated timber also needs a label or brand saying it is treated with copper chrome arsenate.
AT Pine treats its pine with CCA (Lifewood) or ACQ (Naturewood) preservative.
Which timber is best for Your Project?
The best timber depends on the job. Treated pine suits fences, sleepers and outdoor builds. Merbau is a hardwood used for decking. Match the timber to where it will sit, how it will be used and how it should look.
Best Timber for a Durable Fence in Melbourne’s Climate
Melbourne swings from hot, dry summers to wet winters, so fence timber needs proper treatment. Treated pine and cypress pine posts are common choices. Posts set in the ground need H4 treatment, so check the brand before you buy.
Best Timber for Decking (and Where to Buy It)
For outdoor floors, choose treated pine decking or Merbau decking. For wall and floorboards, AT Pine cladding and flooring range has weatherboards and cladding. Merbau decking is priced on request.
Best Timber for Outdoor Projects
Garden beds, retaining walls and landscaping jobs suit treated pine sleepers. Pergolas and outdoor areas suit dried dressed timber or dressed treated pine.
Ready To Buy Timber In Melbourne?
Where you buy timber matters as much as what you buy.
- Know your finish
- Check the brand
- Compare prices by size
AT Pine has supplied treated pine to Victoria for over 30 years, with online ordering and a sales team on 03 9305 2000 to help you choose.
FAQs
1. What are the delivery options and fees for buying timber from Australian suppliers?
AT Pine offers delivery to your door and click and collect on wet sawn timber, dried dressed timber and dressed treated pine. Ask the sales team on 03 9305 2000 for delivery costs for your order and suburb.
2. Can I get timber delivered directly to my construction site in Australia?
Yes. AT Pine delivers to the kerbside in metro Melbourne, and the team can arrange a different drop-off point if your site needs one. It also services customers outside metro Melbourne, so call to confirm your location.
3. Can I buy bulk timber for construction projects from Australian wholesalers?
Yes. For bulk orders, AT Pine timber wholesale service is a great place to buy timber in Melbourne if you’re a builder, contractor, or council. The team helps confirm quantities, sizes, and timber types, such as wet-sawn timber for beams.
4. Is it cheaper to buy timber in bulk?
It can be. AT Pine offers competitive prices on bulk trade orders, and its sawmill cuts to size to reduce waste. Compare quotes for the same size, length, and treatment first, the basic rule of any timber-buying guide.
5. Where can I buy sustainable or eco-friendly timber products in Australia?
AT Pine sources its timber from sustainable forestry operations and treats it to Australian standards. When deciding where to buy timber like this, check the brand and hazard class on each treated piece to confirm it suits your job.
