Licensed carpenter · Sydney
Hardwood decking in Sydney
A plain comparison of the hardwoods used for Sydney decks: how they look, how hard they are and the upkeep they need, so you can choose before we build.
- Google reviews
- 5.0 from 33
- NSW licence
- 276621C · Carpenter
- Trex, since 2024
- TrexPro® partner
- Licensed
- Since 2014
Preferred installer for the boards we build with
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About hardwood decking
Hardwood boards are dense, hard wearing and naturally coloured.
They cost more than treated pine and take longer to cut and fix, but they stand up to heavy use and can be sanded back years later. Our recent hardwood decks are merbau, including raised decks in Lane Cove and Wahroonga.
Each species has its own colour, grain and hardness. Some, like spotted gum, vary a lot from board to board. Others, like merbau, are more even. All of them change with time: every hardwood fades to silver-grey in the sun unless it is oiled.
Supply changes too. Board widths, lengths and grades depend on what the timber yards have in stock, so we confirm the species and size before we quote and bring boards for you to look at where we can.
The hardwoods compared
- 01
Merbau
Even reddish-brown colour, hard and stable. It bleeds a dark tannin when new, which can mark paving and render below the deck.
- 02
Spotted gum
Pale grey to deep brown with a wavy grain and a lot of colour variation. Very hard and dense, with a lively look once oiled.
- 03
Blackbutt
Pale straw to light brown with a fairly even grain. Its lighter colour suits coastal and modern houses.
- 04
Ironbark
Red-brown to dark grey, and one of the hardest and heaviest decking timbers. Slow to work, so it suits simpler shapes.
- 05
Jarrah
A deep red Western Australian hardwood, rich when oiled. Less common in Sydney yards, so supply varies.
- 06
Tallowwood
Yellow-brown with a slightly oily feel and a smooth surface underfoot. It weathers to an even grey.
Deck designer
Design your deck
Choose the kind of deck, the boards and the colour. We bring real boards to the measure, and your choices go straight into your quote request.
Board sample
Oiled
Screen colours are a guide. We bring real boards to the measure.
Your deckRaised on a slope · Merbau · Oiled
Before we price it
What changes the choice
Hardness and fixing
The harder the timber, the more it needs pre-drilling and the right screws. That adds labour, which we allow for in the quote.
Colour variation
Spotted gum mixes pale and dark boards. If you want an even colour, merbau or blackbutt is more predictable.
Tannin
New hardwood, merbau most of all, releases tannin in the first rains. Plan for it near pale paving, render or pool coping.
Upkeep
Hardwood needs cleaning and oiling to keep its colour. Left bare it turns silver-grey, which some people prefer.
Our work
More hardwood decking we’ve built
Each job with its suburb and what we built. Open one for the full set of photos.
What customers say on Google
Google rating
5.0
From 33 reviews on Google
“The boys nailed it! Built my deck out of engineered timber and the quality of work was fantastic. Job was done quick, site was left clean, etc. Would recommend!”
Which hardwood is best for a Sydney deck?
There isn't one best timber. Merbau gives an even reddish colour and is widely stocked. Spotted gum is very hard with a varied, lively grain. Blackbutt is lighter in colour. We help you choose by looking at the house, how much sun the deck gets and how you will use it.
Is hardwood worth it over treated pine?
Hardwood costs more, but it is harder wearing, holds its shape and doesn't need a stain to look good. If you plan to paint or stain the deck a colour anyway, treated pine may be the better value.
Can you build with spotted gum, blackbutt or ironbark?
Yes. We can build in any of the common decking hardwoods, subject to what the timber yards have in the board size you need. The species and grade are written into the quote.
Why do some hardwood decks look patchy after a year?
Usually because the oil has worn unevenly: high-traffic paths and sunny areas fade first, while shaded parts keep their colour. A clean and a fresh coat over the whole deck evens it out.
Keep looking
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Planning a deck? Tell us about it
A few details and a photo or two of the area are enough to start. We'll be in touch to talk it through.
- Send a few details and a photo or two
- We call you back to talk it through
- We measure on site and price the job