Deck Out the Deck

Find the Right Hardwood Decking for the Project

Check Out Premium Quality Timber Decking Products at Bowens.

If you’re looking for a sturdy and beautiful timber choice, you can’t go past our range of natural hardwood decking. We stock an extensive selection of Australian native and imported timber species for a variety of outdoor projects.

Choose from popular timbers such as Merbau and Silvertop Ash, or low tannin leaching varieties like Spotted Gum. Each timber species has its own specific properties, and while product selection often comes down to aesthetics, there is a lot more involved with a natural product like hardwood timber. Let’s explore the timber decking options in our range.

Merbau Decking

Merbau timber is an imported species from Indonesia. It is one of the most stable hardwood decking products making it ideal for applications where a high moisture environment or minimal subfloor ventilation may occur. The colour palette of this timber varies from red to brown.
The downside to Merbau decking is its high tannin content. If you are using Merbau, it is important to design your deck around this aspect to avoid staining paving or concrete. Using a tannin remover or decking cleaner prior to sealing will also help to reduce tannin leaching.

• Available sizes: 70x19mm, 90x19mm, 140x19mm
• BAL Rating: 29
• Durability Class: Class 1
• Longevity: More than 40 years above ground
• Termite Resistant: Natural resistance to termites

 

Blackbutt Decking

Blackbutt timber is a native hardwood from NSW known for stability stability and durability. It comes with an even texture and straight grain, making it a great choice for decking. The colour ranges from golden yellow to pale brown, with an occasional pinkish hue present. Blackbutt decking can be stained, polished or painted but it can be prone to surface checking. Whilst being popular, the supply of this timber is constrained at present.

• Available sizes: 65x19mm, 86x19mm, 130x19mm, 135x32mm
• BAL Rating: 29 (New England Blackbutt BAL 19)
• Durability Class: Class 1
• Longevity: More than 40 years above ground
• Termite Resistant: Natural resistance to termites

Plantation Oak Decking

Plantation Oak is an Australian hardwood species called Eucalyptus Grandis, commonly known as the Flooded Gum or Rose Gum. It has a pale blonde to light brown colouring with a moderately coarse, straight grain. This versatile hardwood decking has been treated with a Tru-Core treatment to protect it from harsh Australian conditions. It is an affordable alternative to blonde decking species like Blackbutt and Silvertop Ash, which are currently in short supply.

• Available sizes: 125x22mm
• BAL Rating: 19
• Hazard Level: H3 Treated
• Longevity: 25-year warranty for above-ground applications
• Termite Resistant: Tru-Core H3 Treated to resist termite attacks

Grey Box Decking

Grey Box timber is a tough and highly durable Australian hardwood. It originates from the central and north coast districts of NSW and southern Queensland. Grey Box has a fine, even texture with a clean, interlocked grain. The colour palette of this timber decking varies from dark nutty honey to soft wheat. It is a highly dense timber species but readily accepts stain, paint and polish. It is an affordable alternative to Spotted Gum or Grey Ironbark decking.

• Available sizes: 86x 19mm, 135x19mm
• BAL Rating: 19
• Durability Class: Class 1
• Longevity: More than 40 years above ground
• Termite Resistant: Naturally resistant to termites

QLD Spotted Gum Decking

This native hardwood from Queensland has a wavy grain and the tree has a unique spotted appearance. It can produce a fiddle-back figure, which is perfect for adding visual interest in external applications such as decking. QLD Spotted Gum decking is less stable than other native hardwoods and extreme care and consideration should be taken when used in applications in high moisture environments or minimal subfloor ventilation may occur. This hardwood decking bleeds less tannins than other timber species with a low risk of leaching and staining. It is, in most cases, sourced from sustainably managed forests for an eco-friendly choice.

• Available sizes: 86x19mm, 135x19mm
• BAL Rating: 29
• Durability: Class 1
• Longevity: More than 40 years above ground
• Termite resistant: Natural resistance to termites

Silvertop Ash Decking

Silvertop Ash is a native hardwood from Victoria. Of medium texture, Silvertop Ash decking has an interlocked grain with noticeable growth rings. It is a blonde species with more pronounced natural features than other native hardwoods. Silvertop Ash is a ROM (run-of-mill) Grade decking.
Whilst an extremely popular decking, the supply of this timber will be greatly constrained in 2024 due to changes in timber logging regulations.

• Available sizes: 65x19mm, 86x19mm, 135x19mm
• BAL Rating: 29
• Durability Class: Class 2
• Longevity: 15 – 40 years above ground
• Termite Resistant: Not naturally resistant to termites

Jarrah Decking

Jarrah is a native hardwood timber from Western Australia renowned for its versatility, durability and strength. The heartwood varies in colour from rich reds to browns, while sapwood ranges from a pale yellow to orange. The texture of Jarrah decking is moderately coarse and features interlocked grains, creating an interesting fiddle-back figure.

• Available sizes: 65x19mm, 86x19mm, 135x19mm
• BAL Rating: 19
• Durability Class: Class 2
• Longevity: 15 – 40 years above ground
• Termite resistant: Natural resistance to termites

Tallowwood Decking

Tallowwood is a native hardwood from NSW. It features a moderately coarse texture with an interlocked grain free of gum veins. Tough and durable, it is perfect for outdoor decking projects and can withstand many years of heavy use if regularly maintained. Tallowwood decking machines easily, although pre-drilling is recommended for nailing and screwing. It is a great hardwood alternative to Blackbutt decking and is available at more affordable prices.

• Available sizes: 86x19mm, 135x19mm
• BAL Rating: 19
• Durability Class: Class 1
• Longevity: More than 40 years above ground
• Termite resistant: Natural resistance to termites

White Mahogany Decking

This native hardwood decking is from NSW and offers a high degree of natural durability and strength. The timber colour ranges from light brown to yellow and creamy brown in colour. This timber decking machines easily, although due to its hardness, the timber is not easily worked with hand tools. It readily accepts paint, stain and polish. White Mahogany decking is an affordable alternative to Blackbutt decking and is available in abundance.

• Available sizes: 65x19mm, 135x19mm
• BAL Rating: 19
• Durability Class: Class 1
• Longevity: More than 40 years above ground
• Termite resistant: Natural resistance to termites

Grey Ironbark Decking

Grey Ironbark is a premium native hardwood from NSW and QLD and is ideal for outdoor decking. The timber’s colour ranges from reddish to dark brown and the grain is usually tight and straight. Grey Ironbark decking does not have a distinctive figure, giving it a consistent, clean appearance.

• Available sizes: 65x19mm, 135x19mm
• BAL Rating: 19
• Durability Class: Class 1
• Longevity: More than 40 years above ground
• Termite resistant: Natural resistance to termites

Treated Pine Decking

Preservative treated with Micropro, Treated Pine Decking is a versatile timber that is suitable for a variety of internal and external applications. Although it is not a hardwood timber, it accepts stains and coatings well and is more affordable than hardwood decking.

• Available sizes: 70x22mm, 90x22mm
• BAL Rating: 12.5
• Hazard Level: H3 Treated
• Longevity: 25 years of warranty for above-ground applications
• Termite resistant: H3 treated for protection against termites

These timber decking products are available to order pre-oiled using Intergrain® Industrial Oil to protect and increase the product’s lifespan. Check out our pre-coated timber services page for more information. For more information on hardwood decking, discover our blogs ‘Ventilation Is Vital’, ‘Decking Board Cupping’ or our video, ‘How to Build a Timber Deck that Lasts.’

To shop from our wide range of timber decking, explore the Bowens website, or visit one of our stores in Melbourne or regional Victoria today.