Decking
One of
the strongest current trends
is the installation of
wooden decks. Wooden decking
adds a natural fibre and
warmth to any home. They
create great spots for
entertaining, sun bathing
and let's not forget
enjoying sundowners or
el-fresco dinners.
Decks are a natural
extension from your house to
your garden and brings an
eco-friendly feel to your
lifestyle. The unsurpassed
natural beauty of timber
decks compliments any garden
style. The design
possibilities are endless!
Abacus Gardens enjoys a
reputation for high-quality
installations and are cost
competitive.
Hardwoods: Balau
Balau is the Malaysian
hardwood timber. In it’s
natural form it is
yellowish-brown,
brown or reddish-brown in
colour. With proper care it
is very durable and suitable
for use as exterior decking.
Many of the that balau
decking piles and beams in
the water and the decking at
the Cape Town waterfront are
made out of Balau.
Although scarce, Balau is
susceptible to borer beetle
when uncut. After felling,
borer beetles leave the
timber creating very small
holes known as a pin hole.
This is not a defect and is
a natural characteristics of
the timber.
Decking Profile
Decking is machined from
kiln dried balau. It is
generally reeded (fine
groves) on one face. This
provides stress relief and
better recovery during
production. It is often
incorrectly seen as an
anti-slip groove, and screws
are difficult to hide.
Installation
Due to balau being a natural
product, usually installed
in adverse conditions (i.e.
direct sunlight), some
movement of the timber is
expected.
It is recommended that balau
be installed on similar
density timber (e.g. balau)
bearers with stainless steel
screws. Holes should be
pre-drilled and countersunk.
Galvanised steel screws are
not recommended.
Although not recommended
balau is often screwed onto
more cost effective bearers
(eg. Pine). Care should be
taken that screws are long
enough to hold. Movement of
timber can be
expected.
Bearer spacing for 19mm is
450—500mm and plank spacing
of 4mm is recommended. The
use of deck clips is NOT
recommended.
Care
After installation Boiled
linseed oil thinned with
turpentine should be applied
to feed oil back into the
timber. This can be
re-applied as necessary—a
second coat probably applied
after 6 months and then
yearly.
The use of surface sealers
and varnishes is not
recommended as this causes
the timber to heat up
excessively in hot
conditions and does not
allow the timber to breathe.
If no oil is applied, balau
will weather to a grey
colour.
Due to the density fine hair
cracks are characteristic of
this timber.
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