Timber Decking: The Lesser-Known Species

Fresh Timber Decking Options

Timber decking has long been a popular choice for creating visual appeal and functional outdoor areas. While species like Spotted Gum decking, Merbau decking and Blackbutt decking dominate the market, several lesser-known timbers provide unique aesthetics, durability and performance that make them great alternatives. Here we discuss some lesser-known decking timbers—White Mahogany, Grey Box, Cumaru, Flooded Gum and Karri decking—and discover why they’re worth considering for your next new build or renovation.

White Mahogany Decking

White Mahogany is premium hardwood decking from NSW and provides exceptional natural durability and strength. It is a mostly uniform and medium textured wood with the occasional interlocked grain.

Advantage: An affordable alternative to Blackbutt decking and is easily painted, stained and polished

Colour Palette: Creamy brown and light brown to yellow brown in colour

Bushfire Rating: BAL19

Durability: Class 1 above ground with longevity of over 40 years

Termite resistant: Natural resistance to termites

Disadvantages: This timber decking requires pre-drilling, due to its density

Grey Box Decking

Resilient and exceptionally durable, Grey Box is a native hardwood species. It is commonly found in the central and northern coastal regions of New South Wales and southern Queensland.

Advantage: It is an affordable alternative to Spotted Gum decking

Colour Palette: Dark nutty honey to soft wheat

Bushfire Rating: BAL19

Durability: Class 1 above ground with a lifespan exceeding 40 years

Termite Resistant: Naturally resistant to termites

Disadvantages: Highly dense timber decking, making it difficult to work

Flooded Gum Decking

Found on the east coast of Australia, flooded gum decking is a moderately course timber decking with predominantly straight grain. It can be easily sanded and machines and turns well.

Advantages: It readily accepts paint, stain, oils and polish

Colour Palette: heartwood that is pink to red-brown in colour, while the sapwood is paler

Bushfire Rating: BAL12.5-19

Durability: Class 2 above ground 15 to 40 years and in-ground 5-15 years

Termite resistant: Not naturally resistant to termites

Disadvantages: The sapwood is able to accept impregnation with preservative, but the heartwood is resistant to contemporary commercial treatments.

Karri Decking

A hardwearing hardwood with a distinctive appearance, Karri is a Western Australian timber known for its golden appearance. This timber decking is exceptionally dense, featuring either a straight or interlocking grain and a coarse texture.

Advantage: The ideal alternative to Merbau

Colour Palette: Creamy to red-brown hues

Bushfire Rating: BAL29 (when used with non-combustible materials)

Durability: Class 2, above ground 15-40 years

Termite resistant: Not naturally resistant to termites

Disadvantages: Karri decking is a highly dense species and requires pre-drilling prior to installation.

Cumaru Decking

Cumaru, also known as Brazilian Teak, is a hardwood used for its durability, strength, and unique colour variations. It has a medium texture with a waxy feel. It is naturally resistant to rot and decay, making it the perfect timber decking for wet or rainy climates.

Advantage: Offers minimal tannin leaching, suitable for decks near paved areas

Colour Palette: Rich dark brown hues with purple and red undertones

Durability: Class 1, with a lifespan exceeding 40 years above ground

Bushfire Rating: BAL19

Termite Resistant: Naturally resistant to termites

Disadvantages: Cumaru decking requires pre-drilling for screws and nails due to its hardness.

Bowens Timber Decking Species

Bowens supplies a wide range of decking from popular species such as Merbau, Blackbutt, Spotted Gum and Jarrah decking, to our lesser-known species. Our range of species may not always be found online yet can be easily ordered via your local Bowens store or through your account manager. For our range of timber decking online, explore our website or visit your local store today.

Want more information about our range of timber decking? Why not read our blog, “Deck out the Deck,” where we discuss some of our timber decking species and their timber properties.